 STI Awareness is observed throughout April with a special STI Awareness Week that takes place the second full week of the month. It gives an opportunity to:
- Raise awareness about sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
- Learn how STIs impact our lives.
- Reduce STI-related stigma, fear, and discrimination.
- Ensure people have the tools and knowledge for prevention, testing, and treatment.
A STI is an infection spread through sexual contact, caused by bacteria, viruses, or parasites. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates:
About one in five people in the U.S. – had an STI on any given day in 2018.
 Almost half of all new infections in 2018 were among youth aged 15-24.
 STIs are not inevitable, and they can be prevented and treated. Make a plan and choose the prevention steps that work for you!
Prepare Before You're There
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Talk to your partner(s) about sex, sexual health, and how to keep one another healthy.
- Use condoms from start to finish when you have sex.
- Ask your healthcare provider what options may be right for you, such as specific STI tests and medicine that prevents HIV.
STI Testing 101
Getting tested is the only way to know for sure if you have a sexually transmitted infection (STI). It is one of the most important things you can do to protect your health. Many STIs don’t cause any symptoms, so you could have one and not know.
Learn which tests CDC recommends for you. Even if you’re pregnant, you can still get an STI. If you’re having sex, you’re still at risk.
Find out what STI care options are available near you. Options that may be available include:
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Prince William Health District STI clinics, provide confidential testing that's low to no cost.
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Video or phone appointments with your healthcare provider.
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Express visits allow walk-in STI testing and treatment appointments without a full clinical exam.
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Pharmacies and retail clinics, such as at a grocery store or big-box store, for on-site testing and treatment.
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At-home collection where you collect your own sample and take or mail it to a lab for testing.
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Resources
Connect to HIV, STI, and other related services you may need. If you need any help, please call the Virginia Disease Prevention Hotline at (800) 533-4148 or by email at hiv-stdhotline@vdh.virginia.gov. The Hotline is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.
The Virginia We Are Greater Than HIV website offers information and assistance to getting connected about HIV and STI testing, treatment, PrEP, and mpox vaccines.
Offers information about syphilis including signs and symptoms, risk and testing, prevention, treatments, and data in Virginia.
Provides data in Virginia regarding syphilis cases and trend calculations.
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