County launches STD awareness campaign : Health officials urge: get facts, get tested

SAN DIEGO — The County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) is urging the public to protect themselves against syphilis, chlamydia and gonorrhea, some of the most common sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).

“Syphilis has risen about 200 percent since 2003,” said Wilma Wooten, MD, MPH, County Public Health Officer. “We’ve also seen a significant increase in chlamydia and gonorrhea cases. These are preventable diseases. Today, we’re asking the public to take steps to make sure they do not give – or get – an STD.”

“Syphilis is sometimes called ‘the great imitator’ because its signs and symptoms are similar to other diseases,” added Dr. Wooten. “Also, when you are infected with one STD, you are more susceptible to infection with other STDs. We urge everyone to get the facts on STDs and get tested.”

HHSA’s HIV, STD and Hepatitis Branch works in partnership with community agencies to increase awareness of STDs. It also sends out annual bulletins to about 8,000 physicians with the latest information and statistics on STDs.

HHSA offers testing at its STD clinics and several other sites throughout the county.

For information on STDs and clinic hours and locations, contact the HHSA HIV, STD and Hepatitis Clinic at (619) 692-8550 or visit the HHSA Web site at www2.sdcounty.ca.gov/hhsa.