Sexually Transmitted Diseases

What are STDs?

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), also known as sexually transmitted infections (STIs), are very common. Millions of new infections occur every year in the United States.

STDs pass from one person to another through vaginal, oral, and anal sex. They also can spread through intimate physical contact like heavy petting, though this is not very common.

STDs don’t always cause symptoms or may only cause mild symptoms. Therefore, it is possible to have an infection and not know it. That is why getting an STD test is important if you are having sex. If you receive a positive STD diagnosis, know that all are treatable with medicine and some are curable entirely.

STDs are preventable. If you have sex, know how to protect yourself and your sex partner(s) from STDs.

How YOU Can Prevent Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Visit the CDC page  to learn more about sexually transmitted disease (STD) prevention, testing, and resources.

Get the Facts!

Arm yourself with basic information about STDs:

How are these diseases spread? How can you protect yourself? What are the treatment options? Learn the answers to these questions by reading the STD Fact Sheets.

(Updated 2/4/2022)

Getting Treatment for STD's Has Never Been Easier!

Diagnosed with an STD? Ask your healthcare provider about EPT!

Expedited partner therapy (EPT) is a harm-reduction strategy. It includes treating the sex partners of persons with diagnosed chlamydia or gonorrhea, who are unable or unlikely to seek timely treatment, by providing medications or prescriptions to the patient as allowable by law.


EPT 1


Are STD's An Issue In Ontario County?

STD data

Did you know?

One in two sexually active young people will get a sexually transmitted diseases (STD) by the age of twenty-five. The good news is that most STD's are curable and all are treatable.
For everything you need to know about STD's, click here.

Talking to Your Healthcare Provider

Are you embarrassed to talk to your healthcare provider about sex? Don't be. He or she has heard it all before. Click here for some strategies to get the conversation started.


Getting Tested for STD's

Afraid you might have a sexually transmitted disease? STD's are very common because they spread easily and often do not cause many symptoms. This is why sexually active young women are routinely tested when they visit their healthcare providers for annual exams (birth control, pap smear, pelvic exam, breast exam, etc.). Males...let's face it, they're the other half of the STD equation. Both men and women need to consider getting tested for STD's. Click here for symptoms of STD's.

Click here for information about the Family Planning Benefit Program that provides birth control and STD testing.

Family Planning Services in the Greater Ontario County Region.

STD Testing Sites for Ontario County Residents

If you do not have a private healthcare provider, lack health insurance or are otherwise unable to pay for STD testing and treatment, services are available at no cost to you. These are provided by the two agencies noted below in conjunction with Ontario County Public Health. Appointments are required. Please call for more information.
Planned Parenthood of Rochester/Syracuse
15 LaFayette Ave.
Canandaigua, NY 14424
1-866-600-6886
website
 Finger Lakes Community Health
601-B Washington St.
Geneva, NY 14454
1-315-781-8448
website
More information on STD's
Talking to teens about STD's
NY State Family Planning Benefit Program
Communicable Disease and STI Update for Providers, 2016

(Updated 10/29/2018)

For Teens: Talking to Your Parents about Sex


Sex, your parents don't want to talk about it either. If they're having trouble getting the conversation started, maybe you should make the first move. Read more...

Updated 3/27/17
teen angst