McHenry County Health Department Offers STI Testing

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show there are about 19 million new infections in the United States each year, costing the American healthcare system nearly $16 billion in direct medical costs alone.  

The CDC published two analyses earlier this year that provided an in-depth look at the severe health and economic burden of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the United States. 

CDC’s new estimates show America’s youth, under the age of 25, shoulder a significant burden, representing half of all new STIs in this country. 

All STIs are treatable, most are curable, and many people do not have symptoms when they become infected. 

McHenry County Department of Health offers confidential, low-cost testing for STIs by appointment at its Woodstock location, 2200 N. Seminary Avenue, Building B. 

The testing includes screening for Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Syphilis and HIV (human immunodeficiency virus). 

In McHenry County, Chlamydia cases dropped slightly in 2012 (339) from cases reported in 2011 (347). As of July 31 of this year, MCDH reports 302 cases of Chlamydia as compared to 222 cases for the same time last year.  

Sexually active young women under 25 years of age are especially vulnerable to sexually transmitted infections and should be screened yearly as Chlamydia often does not have symptoms.  

Untreated Chlamydia can cause Pelvic Inflammatory Disease which can lead to sterility.  Anyone who is not in a mutually monogamous relationship should be tested for STIs once a year. 

Call MCDH at 815-334-4500 for more information or to schedule an appointment. To learn more about STIs, visit CDC www.cdc.gov/std.

Source: McHenry County Health Department