23 - Get Tested
FACTS
- The U.S. has the highest rate of Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) in the industrialized world, with over 65 million people infected.
- 19 million new cases of STDs are diagnosed every year.
- 1 in 4 teens contracts an STD each year.
- 1 in 2 sexually active persons will contract an STD by age 25.
- Over $15.3 billion is spent each year to diagnose and treat STDs, excluding HIV.
- Nearly 1.2 million people are estimated to have HIV, and 25% are unaware of their infection.
- 50% of the population will likely have an STD at some point in their lifetime.
- STDs and HIV and preventable
TAKE ACTION TODAY
- Call your physician or locate a testing facility near you and make an appointment to get tested for STDs and HIV. Testing is anonymous and can be free of charge.
- Get the information you need before getting tested. Counseling and support is available to help assess your risks and understand your results.
- If your test results are negative and you are sexually active, take appropriate precautions. Abstinence is always the safest policy.
- If you test positive, be responsible: get treated and tell your intimate partner. Be honest and give full disclosure.
- Don’t use drugs. If you do, don’t share the needle.
YOU MATTER
We need to take responsibility for transmitting infections and diseases to others. Save lives, money, heartache, and emotional burden by getting tested. If you could prevent yourself from passing along a life-threatening infection, disease, or inconvenience to someone, wouldn’t you?”
