Santa Cruz County Releases Tips for STD Awareness Month

From the County of Santa Cruz: During STD Awareness Month, the Santa Cruz County Public Health Division is highlighting increases in rates of Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) nationally and locally, and urging residents to take steps to prevent further transmissions.

• Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) continue to increase in Santa Cruz County and across California and the United States.
• Infectious syphilis rates now are 4 times higher and gonorrhea rates are 51⁄2 times higher among Santa Cruz County residents than they were in 2010.
• Reportable STDs are at a 20-year high in California.

Most cases of STDs occur among young individuals (ages 15 and 24 years old), and syphilis and gonorrhea rates are much higher among men who have sex with men (MSM).

To prevent STDs, please do the following: TALK. TEST. TREAT.

• TALK: To your kids about STDs and how to avoid infections, such as: abstaining from sex, correctly
  using condoms, and reducing the number of sexual partners.
• TALK: To your sexual partner(s) about STDs and how to avoid them. If you have an STD, tell your
  partner.
• TALK: To your medical provider about your sexual activities.
• TEST: Be sexually responsible and GET YOURSELF TESTED! It’s the only way to know for sure
  since some STDs do not have any symptoms.
• TREAT: STDs will not go away on their own, but with the right TREATMENT, many can be cured. Medical providers can also give you treatment for your partner(s). Remember to ask for this service.

To learn more about how you can improve your Sexual Health and where you can get STD testing in Santa Cruz County, visit our new website at SantaCruzHealth.org/SEX

Image via the County of Santa Cruz