Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD)

What is an STD?

STDs, or STIs (Sexually Transmitted Infections) are diseases that are usually passed through sexual contact with an infected partner. STDs include many diseases such as HIV, Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Genital Herpes, Genital Warts, Hepatitis and Syphilis. STDs are widespread; more than 2.5 million people in the US are infected each year.

Most STD live on the skin in warm and often moist areas of the body, such as the mouth, anus, vagina or penis. Having an STD can make you more likely to get HIV. Some STI bacteria can spread from person-to-person during skin-to-skin contact. Having a STI can make you more likely to get HIV.  Check your sexual behavior by knowing your status, always using protection, and only having sex with a tested and uninfected partner.

What should you do if you suspect you may have an STD?

Get tested right away if you think you have any symptoms, or think you've been exposed to an STD (even if you have no symptoms, talk about your STD testing needs with your doctor during your health care visits). Remember, many STDs don't have any symptoms, especially in women.

If you have an STD, seek proper medical care immediately! Home remedies can make an accurate diagnosis difficult! For more information about STDs: https://www.cdc.gov/std/.

To schedule an appointment, please contact our STD department (772) 462-3815.

Who Are We?

Partner Services: Partner Services are an integral component of Field Services. Partners should be informed if they have been exposed to any sexually transmitted diseases (STD)/ sexually transmitted infections (STI). The STD Program can assist you in informing your partner(s) to get tested and/or treatment. This is a fully confidential service. When a Disease Intervention Specialist informs your partner(s) that they have been exposed to an STD your name will never be mentioned. Partner Services is a no cost service.

Disease Intervention Specialists: Trained healthcare professionals who specialize in confidential counseling, testing and treatment for persons either diagnosed with or exposed to an STD.

Surveillance: Surveillance is responsible for verifying the diagnosis and treatment of all reportable STDs from public and private health care providers. Private and public hospitals, laboratories, physicians, and other health care providers are required by law to report positive STDs such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis to the FDOH-Palm Beach between 24 - 72 hours of positive results. For more information on reporting for each disease, please refer to our Reportable Diseases/Conditions in Florida Practitioners List and STD Reporting Form.

After cases are reported to the State Health Office, they are forwarded to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Prevention Services:

• Access to condoms at all county health departments.
• Low-cost screenings for chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis and HIV.
• Vaccinations for Hepatitis A/B Virus provided. Depending on certain risks factors, some may be eligible for a vaccine at no cost if not already vaccinated.
• Anonymous partner notifications.