Community notes

The Florida Department of Health in St. Lucie joins the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in recognizing April as STD Awareness Month. Throughout the month, DOH-St. Lucie will be hosting and participating in screening and educational events to raise STD awareness.

This year's efforts focus on the relationship between healthcare providers and patients with the theme "Treat Me Right" to protect patients' sexual health as a provider and stand up for your own sexual health as a patient.

"To prevent the spread of STDs or STIs, it is important to remember the 3T's (Talk, Test and Treat). Talk to your partner and healthcare provider about risk factors and methods to reduce your chances of getting an STD, get tested, and get treated if you're infected, to avoid additional health problems or further the spread," said Clint Sperber, Health Officer for the Department of Health in St. Lucie County.

Syphilis infection rates have spiked in all regions of the country and across almost every ethnicity and age group. Some populations, such as gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men, and women are seeing higher increases than other groups. Cases of congenital syphilis (babies born with syphilis) are also increasing at an alarming rate. Having syphilis also makes it easier to get HIV and Hepatitis C.

To prevent the spread of all STDs, including syphilis, DOH-St. Lucie provides screening, counseling, treatment and partner notification services to persons infected with or suspected of being infected with STDs.

The only way to avoid syphilis and other STDs is to not have sex. However, if you are sexually active, you can do the following things to lower your chances of infection:

· Be in a long-term, monogamous relationship with a partner who has tested negative for syphilis and other STDs;

· Use condoms the right way every time you have sex;

· Talk to your health care provider about getting testing for syphilis and other STDs or locate a clinic near you for free, fast and confidential testing;

· If you test positive for syphilis or other STDs, get treated right away and be sure your sexual partner is treated as well to reduce the risk of re-infection.

DOH-St. Lucie will partner and host several outreach events in April for STD Awareness Month. Testing is free for STDs and HIV. No appointment is necessary but a photo ID is needed.

For more information on STD Awareness Month, visit the CDC's webpage: www.cdc.gov/features/stdawareness/. To learn more about the department's STD program and services, visit www.floridahealth.gov/diseases-and-conditions/sexually-transmitted-diseases/index.html

Free testing will be offered on the Treasure Coast:

Saturday, April 7, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Taylor Point Apartments, 4885 38th Circle, Vero Beach

Friday, April 13, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Rogers Market, 17068 S.W. Palm Beach Street, Indiantown

Sunday, April 15, from 12-3 p.m., Pride Fest 2018 at River Walk Center, 600 N. Indian River Drive, Fort Pierce

Monday, April 16, from 3-5:30 p.m., Golden Gate Center, 3225 S.E. Dixie Highway, Stuart

Wednesday, April 18, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Chastain Campus -Indian River State College, 2400 SW Salerno Road, Stuart

Monday, April 23, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Rines Market, 15500 S.W. Trail Drive, Indiantown

Thursday, April 26, from 1:30-3:30 p.m., Whispering Pines Park, 800 S.W. Darwin Blvd., Port St Lucie

Friday, April 27, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., FL Dept. of Health in Martin County, 3441 S.W. Willoughby Blvd., Stuart

Monday, April 30, from 1-3 p.m., Pioneer Park, 2901 Avenue M, Fort Pierce

Wednesday, May 2, from 2-4 p.m., 46th Ave Villas, 2828 N.W. 46th Ave., Okeechobee