What is STI Awareness Week? STI Awareness Week, observed the second full week in April, provides an opportunity to raise awareness about STIs and how they impact our lives, reduce fear of seeking medical care, and ensure people have the tools and knowledge to prevent, test for, and treat STIs. What Is an STI and Why STI Testing? STI Stands for Sexually Transmitted Infections, which can be contracted through any type of sexual activity. STIs are also referred to as STDs or Sexually Transmitted Diseases. The infection statistics are staggering. According to the Centers for Disease Detection’s latest reports, there were at least 2.5 million cases of STI’s in 2021. Those between the ages of 15 and 24 are affected more than other age groups. Some of the more common STIs are

• Chlamydia
• Gonorrhea
• Syphilis
• Herpes
• HIV
• HPV
• Bacterial Vaginosis
• Trichomonas

Have additional questions? Click here for more information about our testing and treatment options, and click here for more information about sexual health education services. The Importance of STI Testing If you have been sexually active, it is important to get tested. This means vaginal, anal, or oral sex. Any sexual activity puts you at risk, especially unprotected sex. Many Sexually Transmitted Infections do not have symptoms until damage to your body has already been done. Reasons for STI Testing The only way to know for sure if you have an STI is to get tested. Most women and men never get tested because they have no symptoms or don’t realize how common STIs are. For women considering abortion or who receive a negative pregnancy test, untreated STIs can affect your future reproductive health. You or your partner might not even know you have an STI. You can get an STI from having sex with someone who has no symptoms.   How can Alternatives Help? We offer FREE STI testing and treatment for women and men. We test for Chlamydia and Gonorrhea, which are two of the most common STI’s. Alternatives Medical Clinic offers free testing for Chlamydia and Gonorrhea if you are sexually active, and you are concerned you might be exposed and do not have symptoms. You must be symptom free to obtain these Free STI tests. If you have symptoms we can help with resources where you can be checked and treated as needed. Request an appointment below to request an appointment for free testing, so that you can be sure about your health!   Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Sexually Transmitted Disease Surveillance: Preliminary 2021 Data. Atlanta: US Department of Health and Human Services; 2022. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CDC Fact Sheet: Information for Teens and Young Adults: Staying Healthy and Preventing STDs. Atlanta: US Department of Health and Human Services; 2022.