What is STI Awareness?

STI’s affect more than 1 million people everyday, and during STI Awareness Month, it is important to educate people about the impact that these infections have on individuals. It is important to help reduce the stigma which is associated with sexually transmitted infection testing.

In 2017 during STI Awareness the spot light is shining on syphilis.

The CDC reports that this year has the highest reported cases of syphilis in more than 20 years. There was a time when syphilis was very close to being eliminated, but with this surge in cases we must consider syphilis to be a real threat again. There was an overall increase of nearly 20% from 2014 to 2015 with almost 24,000 cases reported.

The rate of infection in almost every ethnicity and age group has increased from Babyboomers to babies. The fact that there has been an increase of infection rates all over the country in all demographics raises some serious concern, because this means that even those who think they can’t get syphilis are at risk if they are having sex with new or multiple partners who have not been tested.

Protecting yourself

1. Be open and honest with your family physician, and request tests that might be right for you.
   Be in an established, monogamous relationship with a partner who tests negative for STD’s
   Practice safe sex, using condoms regularly.
2. If you have Syphilis seek proper treatment from your family physician right away, and inform any sexual partners who may be infected so that they can also get treated. This will reduce the chances of becoming reinfected or them infecting others inadvertently.
3. During STI Awareness Month we can help to educate others about the risks of all STI’s and STD’s to help reduce the chances of infection by sharing knowledge. There are many resources available to individuals. To learn more follow this visit the CDC’s website.