STD Awareness Week (April 12-16) is an opportunity to educate and encourage people to take proactive steps toward better sexual health. Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are more common than most people realize and often show no symptoms.

STD Awareness Matters: 

DSHS urges everyone to prevent and protect themselves from STDs. Most STDs are preventable, manageable, and treatable, especially when detected early. Awareness empowers people with the tools and knowledge needed for prevention, testing, and treatment. 

Prevention: 

• Get tested, even if you feel healthy; it’s the only way to know if you have an STD
• Use protection consistently and correctly
• Limit the number of sexual partners
• Talk with your health care providers about treatment options
• Stay informed about vaccines and medications like DoxyPep

Testing:

The only way to know if you have an STD is to get a reliable test. Because different STDs need different tests and treatments, ask your doctor to test you for all STDs. Having an STD puts you at a higher risk of contracting HIV, so it is a good idea to have an HIV test, too.

• Find STD testing locations in Texas.

Treatment:

If you test positive for an STD, take all medications prescribed by your doctor, and avoid sexual activity until your doctor confirms that you and your partner(s) are cured.

• Find STD treatment locations in Texas.

Common STDs:

• Chlamydia
• Gonorrhea
• Syphilis
• HPV (Human Papillomavirus)
• BV (Bacterial Vaginosis)
• Trichomoniasis

STDs and Pregnancy:

If you are pregnant or planning to get pregnant, get tested for STDs as soon as possible. STDs can pose serious health risks, but early detection and treatment can reduce the risk of complications for both a pregnant woman and her baby.

• Some STDs can be passed from mother to baby anytime during pregnancy, birth, and in some cases, breastfeeding.
• Untreated infections can lead to pre-term birth, low birth weight, serious disabilities, brain or nerve damage, and stillbirth.
• STDs can be treated during pregnancy to avoid passing it to the baby during pregnancy or childbirth.

Additional Resources:

• National Coalition for Sexual Health -  STI Awareness Week Toolkit
• What if I Have Been Exposed to an STD?
• ¿Qué sucede si he estado expuesto a una ETS?