Champaign-Urbana Public Health District Joins Nation in Responding to STD Crisis
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 14, 2008
Contact
Candi Crause, Interim Director of Infectious Disease
(217) 531-5372 /
Lori A. Holmes, Public Relations
(217) 531-2927
Champaign-Urbana Public Health District Joins Nation in Responding to STD Crisis
Champaign-Urbana Public Health District Promotes National STD Awareness Month by Encouraging Citizens to be Routinely Tested for STD’s
Champaign, IL – April 2008 marks the annual observance of National Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) Awareness Month. The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) is responding to the impact of STD’s in local communities by offering STD clinics at its 201 West Kenyon Road location: Tuesdays, 1:00pm – 5:00pm; Thursdays, 9:00am – 11:00am and 1:00pm – 3:00pm. CUPHD also offers a Men’s Clinic on Mondays from 4:00pm – 5:30pm. CUPHD emphasizes that testing is a key component for good sexual health, and encourages all sexually active citizens to be routinely tested for STD’s.
“Many STD’s do not have any visual symptoms,” said Candi Crause, Interim Director of Infectious Disease for CUPHD. “Often people who contract an STD are unaware that they are infected, and thus risk spreading the disease to their partners. If left untreated, STD’s will get worse, and may effect fertility, pregnancy, and in extreme cases, may even lead to death. There are many effective ways to diagnose and treat STD’s, but perhaps most importantly, there are many ways to prevent STD’s as well.”
Approximately 19 million new sexually transmitted diseases occur every year in the United States – and almost half of those are among young people aged 15 to 24, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). STD’s pose a serious public health threat to our communities, particularly young women, African Americans, men who have sex with men (MSM), and individuals living in poverty or who have limited access to healthcare.
The CDC recommends routine Chlamydia testing for women under age 26, and for women who are pregnant or have new or multiple partners. CDC also recommends routine HIV testing for all those sexually active from the ages 13-64.
The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District’s Infectious Disease Division offers STD education, prevention, testing and treatment at their new location at 201 West Kenyon Road in Champaign. All tests are confidential. STD testing is available for anyone ages 12 years and older. Those between the ages of 12-18 may be tested for STD’s without parental permission. United States citizenship is not required for STD testing.
CUPHD services include screening, medical exams, and treatment for Gonorrhea, Chlamydia, Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) Infections (genital warts), Syphilis, HIV, Trichomonas, Yeast, Bacterial Vaginosis, and NGU (Non-Gonococcal Urethrititis). Hepatitis A and B immunizations are offered to all STD clients. A simple blood test is also available to screen for genital herpes for people with no symptoms for a fee of $7.00.
For more information on STD education, prevention, testing and treatment or any CUPHD programs please contact CUPHD at (217) 352-7961 or visit CUPHD on the web at www.c-uphd.org.
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