Plattsburgh, NY

                                                                                                                                                                         

SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES

               


Diseases that Can be Spread During Sex

 The New York State Health Department tells us that over 65 million people in the United States have a chronic, incurable sexually transmitted disease (STD). That every year another 15 million persons become newly infected with an STD, which is classified as a communicable disease.

Many people think there are only two STDs, syphilis and gonorrhea. In fact, there are many other diseases that can be spread through sexual contact.

Without treatment these diseases can lead to major health problems such as sterility (not being able to get pregnant), permanent brain damage, heart disease, cancer, and even death.

Remember, most people who have an STD have no symptoms.


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Information

Most people don’t know that they have a sexually transmitted disease [STD] because they don’t notice the symptoms—or they don’t have any symptoms. Millions of people don’t know they’re infected until serious and often permanent damage has occurred or until they pass the infection on to someone else. The more people you have sex with, the greater the chance that you will get an STD. If you have had unprotected sex, get tested for STDs annually, even if you feel fine. If you’re a teen, try to talk to your parents. If you can’t talk to your parents, you can get treatment by yourself—teens don’t need their parents’ permission to get an STD treated.


How do You Get it?

Sexually transmitted diseases are spread by having unprotected sex [genital, oral, or anal] with a person who has a sexually transmitted disease [STD]. There are more than 30 STDs. These include gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis, hepatitis B, and HIV among others. One out of 4 Americans between 15 and 55 years old will catch one or more of these infections during their lifetimes.


What are Some of the Symptoms?

Go to a doctor’s office or clinic right away if you have any of these symptoms:

Pain when you go to the bathroom
A strange fluid or drip from the penis or vagina
Bleeding between periods (women)
 


Can it be Treated?

Most STDs can be treated. If you have an STD, tell your partner[s] that they need to get tested too; take all your medicine even when you feel better; never take someone else’s medicine; don’t have sex until you and your partner are treated.

The Clinton County sponsored STD clinic provides diagnosis, treatment, and education about sexually transmitted infections. Hepatitis B vaccine, confidential HIV counseling and testing, and help to notify partners are also offered.


How Much does it Cost and Where is the Clinic?

A sliding fee schedule or payment for uninsured residents is provided. The clinic is held at the offices of Northern Adirondack Planned Parenthood in Plattsburgh. Appointments may be made by calling 561-4430.


Contact Us

To receive more information, call or visit us at:

Clinton County Health Department
Health Services Unit
133 Margaret Street
Plattsburgh, NY 12901
Tel: (518) 565-4848

                                                                                                                                             


             Note:  These are external web links.

 

Clinton County does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, religion, age or disability in employment or the provision
of services. The information on the Clinton County Health Department website is for educational purposes only. Nothing on the pages of this site shall be construed
as medical, fitness, dietetic, or other professional advice. This information is based on current beliefs among researchers and research studies published in the
current scientific literature. Clinton County is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse any content on external web links.

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