COLUMBIA, S.C. – To raise awareness about the public health impacts of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) is joining public health agencies around the nation in recognizing April 9-15 as STI Awareness Week.
DHEC encourages people to get tested so they know their status when it comes to STIs, also known as sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). From 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. on Thursday, April 13, residents can visit a participating DHEC health department to be tested for hepatitis C, chlamydia, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis, HIV, and syphilis at no cost. Scheduling an appointment is recommended by calling 1-855-4-SCDHEC.
While DHEC is offering free STD testing on April 13 for National STI Awareness Week, the agency provides low-cost STD testing year-round at its health departments across the state. South Carolinians also can order a free at-home HIV test kit to find out their status without leaving their house. Visit scdhec.gov/std to order a free kit online.
“STDs are preventable, and an individual’s first step in prevention is getting tested,” said Ali Mansaray, director of DHEC’s STD, HIV, and Viral Hepatitis Division. “With the number of certain types of STDs rising annually in South Carolina and across the nation, we can’t do enough to educate each other about the importance of STD safety, including prevention and treatment, which is what National STI Awareness Week is all about.”
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention the number of STD cases nationally has spiked since 2017, with more than 2.5 million cases of chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis reported in 2021 alone. This upward trend in STD numbers leads to an increase in other challenges as well, including the number of babies born with syphilis and risks of infertility.
In South Carolina during 2021, the number of reported chlamydia and syphilis infections increased while the number of reported gonorrhea infections decreased in South Carolina. There has been a slight decline in the number of newly diagnosed cases of HIV in the state from 2020 to 2021, according to DHEC’s STD, HIV, and Viral Hepatitis Division.
“Through continued support with community partners and public outreach efforts, our program is committed to providing the resources that make a difference in preventing the spread of sexually transmitted diseases,” Mansaray said. “STD and HIV testing is a critical first step in that process.”
DHEC provides information about STDs, prevention tips, educational materials, treatment options and more at scdhec.gov/stdhiv. DHEC also operates an STD/HIV Hotline available for anyone to call for information or resources: 1-800-322-2437.
To schedule an appointment for STD testing or other health department services, call 855-472-3432 or use the online Web Chat.
