STI Awareness Week
Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) Awareness Week is April 9th through 15th each year. During this week we take the time to raise awareness about STIs, and how they impact our lives. This reduces STI-related stigma, fear, and discrimination. It ensures that people have the tools and information to prevent, test, and treat.
STIs have become more common and rates are increasing. One in five people in the United States have an STI. Virginia, and the rest of the U.S., has seen a sharp increase in cases of mothers passing syphilis to their children during pregnancy.
Many people may be unaware that they have an STI. Having an STI does not mean that you will always have symptoms. It is important to talk to your sexual partners about your health and engage in safer sex behaviors, such as using condoms correctly and consistently. Talk to your partners about protecting yourselves from STIs before you have sex. Make STI testing a part of your routine healthcare. If you do find out that you have an STI, it is important that you start and complete the treatment prescribed. Protect yourself and your loved ones with three easy steps: talk, test, treat.
Find a location near you that provides free or low-cost STI testing using Resource Connections. You can find more information about common STIs on our STI page. You can also call the Virginia Disease Prevention Hotline to talk to a counselor at (800) 533-4148. Counselors are ready to answer any questions you may have or connect you to services you may need.
Mpox Update: Preventing Another Outbreak
Nearly a year ago mpox was a hot health topic in the news and in some communities. Mpox particularly affected the LGBTQ+ community. Today, however, VDH data from late March shows that our state has averaged 0 to 2 cases per week since November 2022.
So you may ask yourselves, “why should I think about getting vaccinated.” You could also ask, “why would I go back for the second vaccination?” Currently, only 1 in 4 of those at risk for mpox has been fully vaccinated. A recent CDC report says without continued vaccination efforts another resurgence of mpox is likely over time.
We need your help to prevent future outbreaks of mpox. If you are sexually active, and have not received a first or second dose of vaccine, find out about the vaccine recommendations. If you do not qualify for the vaccine, please review the basics of mpox and how to prevent it.
To learn more about:
- mpox general info,
- vaccination recommendations, and
- to find an mpox vaccination site near you, visit
the VDH mpox webpage at www.vdh.virginia.gov/mpox.