Sexually transmitted diseases (STIs) are infections that can be passed on through vaginal, oral or anal sex, and anyone who is sexually active can get an STI. Sexually transmitted infections are more common than you may think. 

STIs 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 STI test is important if you are having sex. 

There are dozens of STIs. Some STIs, such as Syphilis, Gonorrhea, and Chlamydia, are spread mainly by sexual contact. Other diseases, including Zika, Ebola, and mpox, can be spread sexually but are more often spread through ways other than sex.

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

Having an STI when you're pregnant can make things complicated and cause serious issues for both you and your growing baby. Some of these problems might show up right after birth, while others might not become apparent until months or even years later. Plus, having an STI can increase the chances of getting infected with HIV. But here's the good news: most of these problems can be avoided if you get regular medical care throughout your pregnancy. This means getting tested for STIs early on in your pregnancy and again as you get closer to giving birth, if necessary.

• STD Facts - STDs & Pregnancy (cdc.gov)

Abstinence

• The most reliable way to avoid infection is to not have sex (i.e., anal, vaginal or oral).

 Vaccination

• Vaccines are safe, effective, and recommended ways to prevent hepatitis B and HPV. HPV vaccination is recommended for preteens ages 11 or 12 (or can start at age 9) and everyone through age 26, if not vaccinated already. Vaccination is not recommended for everyone older than age 26 years. However, some adults aged 27 through 45 years who are not already vaccinated may decide to get the HPV vaccine after speaking with their doctor about their risk for new HPV infections and the possible benefits of vaccination. HPV vaccination in this age range provides less benefit as more people have already been exposed to HPV. You should also get vaccinated for hepatitis B if you were not vaccinated when you were younger.

 Reduce Number of Sex Partners

• Reducing your number of sex partners can decrease your risk for STDs. It is still important that you and your partner get tested, and that you share your test results with one another.

 Mutual Monogamy

• Mutual monogamy means that you agree to be sexually active with only one person, who has agreed to be sexually active only with you. Being in a long-term mutually monogamous relationship with an uninfected partner is one of the most reliable ways to avoid STDs. But you must both be certain you are not infected with STDs. It is important to have an open and honest conversation with your partner.

 Use Condoms

• Correct and consistent use of the male latex condom is highly effective in reducing STD transmission. Use a condom every time you have anal, vaginal, or oral sex.
• If you have latex allergies, synthetic non-latex condoms can be used. But it is important to note that these condoms have higher breakage rates than latex condoms. Natural membrane condoms are not recommended for STD prevention.

MADERA COUNTY DEPT. OF PUBLIC HEALTH CLINIC
1604 Sunrise Avenue
Madera, CA 93638
(559) 675-7893
Open Mon-Fri , 8am - 5pm

SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT HERE.

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• National STI Hotline: 800-227-9822
• TellYourPartner - A site designed to allow you to anonymously notify a partner that they may have been exposed to an STI.
• Order A Free At-Home STI/HIV Test
• TakeMeHome Video Instructions: English | Spanish
• Let's Get Checked Home Test Kits! - Get STI/HIV home test kits and received $25 gift certificate. Call to see if eligible. 
• Find an STI Testing Clinic - Find Free, Fast, and Confidential Testing Near You.
• Sexually Transmitted Infections in California - 2020 Executive Summary.
• Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) Snapshot - Epidemic Levels in California.
• Centers for Disease Control: General Information on Sexually Transmitted Infections 
• CDC - STD Fact Sheets

• HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is a virus that attacks the body’s immune system. If HIV is not treated, it can lead to AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome).
• There is currently no effective cure. Once people get HIV, they have it for life.
• But with proper medical care, HIV can be controlled. People with HIV who get effective HIV treatment can live long, healthy lives and protect their partners.

• For many, yes. Most people have flu-like symptoms within 2 to 4 weeks after infection. Symptoms may last for a few days or several weeks.
• Having these symptoms alone doesn’t mean you have HIV. Other illnesses can cause similar symptoms.
• Some people have no symptoms at all. The only way to know if you have HIV is to get tested.

When people with HIV don’t get treatment, they typically progress through three stages. But HIV treatment can slow or prevent progression of the disease. With advances in HIV treatment, progression to Stage 3 (AIDS) is less common today than in the early years of HIV.

STAGE 1 | Acute HIV Infection

• People have a large amount of HIV in their blood and are very contagious.
• Many people have flu-like symptoms.
• If you have flu-like symptoms and think you may have been exposed to HIV, get tested.

STAGE 2 | Chronic HIV Infection

• This stage is also called asymptomatic HIV infection or clinical latency.
• HIV is still active and continues to reproduce in the body.
• People may not have any symptoms or get sick during this phase but can transmit HIV.
• People who take HIV treatment as prescribed may never move into Stage 3 (AIDS).
• Without HIV treatment, this stage may last a decade or longer, or may progress faster. At the end of this stage, the amount of HIV in the blood (viral load) goes up and the person may move into Stage 3 (AIDS).

STAGE 3 | Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS)

• The most severe stage of HIV infection.
• People with AIDS can have a high viral load and may easily transmit HIV to others.
• People with AIDS have badly damaged immune systems. They can get an increasing number of opportunistic infections or other serious illnesses.
• Without HIV treatment, people with AIDS typically survive about three years.

The only way to know if you have HIV is to get tested. Knowing your HIV status helps you make healthy decisions to prevent getting or transmitting HIV.

• Order A Free At-Home STI/HIV Test
• TakeMeHome Program Instructions: English | Spanish
• TellYourPartner - A site designed to allow you to anonymously notify a partner that they may have been exposed to an STI.
• Let's Get Checked Home Test Kits! - Get STI/HIV home test kits and received $25 gift certificate. Call to see if eligible. 
• Find HIV Prevention Services Near You
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: General information on HIV

AIDS Resources

• California Department of Public Health AIDS Office

  • (916) 449-5900 or OfficeofAIDS@cdph.ca.gov

• Centers for Disease Control (CDC) HIV/AIDS
•  What do my lab results mean?
  English | Español

Hotlines

• National AIDS:
  • 800-CDC-INFO (232-4636)
  • 1-800-HIV-0440 (1-800-448-0440) 
• Spanish AIDS: 800-344-7432
• Indian AIDS: 800-283-2437
• Deaf AIDS: 800-243-7889
• National STD: 800-227-9822
• AIDS Clinical Trials: 800-874-2572

Information for Clinicians

• Surveillance Recommendations
•  STI Screening Recommendations (cdc.gov)
• A Guide to Taking a Sexual History (cdc.gov)
• Expedited Partner Therapy (cdc.gov)

• STI Treatment Guidelines (cdc.gov)

Doxycycline as STI PEP: Considerations for Individuals and Healthcare Providers of Gay or Bisexual Men or Transgender Women

As CDC and others work quickly to evaluate data to inform clinical guidance on the safe and effective use of post-exposure prophylaxis with doxycycline (also called doxy as PEP) to prevent gonorrhea, chlamydia, and syphilis, we acknowledge there are individuals and clinicians who are already engaged in the off-label use of doxycycline as bacterial STI post-exposure prophylaxis or considering it.  As such, we are providing the following considerations to inform those decisions:

• Current efficacy data only applies to gay and bisexual men and transgender women. Studies among heterosexual cis-gender women are ongoing.
• Doxycycline 200 mg administered within 24-72 hours of condomless sex was the regimen evaluated in this study. Other antibiotics should not be considered for PEP.
• In addition to informing patients about the potential STI prevention benefits of doxy as PEP, providers should also counsel patients about potential adverse side effects of doxycycline including phototoxicity, gastrointestinal symptoms, and more rarely esophageal ulceration.
• Providers should continue to screen, test, and treat for bacterial STIs in accordance with CDC’s STI Treatment Guidelines and CDC’s PrEP for the Prevention of HIV guidelines, even among people who may be using doxycycline as PEP or PrEP.

In the state of California AIDS is a reportable Communicable Disease and by law must be reported to the local health jurisdiction. Madera County Public Health Department is the local health jurisdiction in Madera County. Staff works with local hospitals, physicians, clinics, state and local correctional facilities to comply with AIDS case reporting. All information collected is confidential and information released in statistics only include demographics, age, ethnicity, sex, and risk factor(s). For an update of Madera County cases, visit OA Case Surveillance Reports.

The Ribbon Project

The red ribbon demonstrates compassion for people with AIDS and their caretakers, and support for education and research leading to effective treatments, vaccines or a cure. It serves as a constant reminder of the many people suffering as a result of this disease, and of the many people working toward a cure.  HIV.gov

Ryan White Title II CARE Services - Servicing Madera County Residents

Ryan White CARE Act (Comprehensive AIDS Resources Emergency): Passed in 1990 to provide services for persons with HIV infection, this act seeks "to improve the quality of care for individuals and families with HIV disease." It provides financial assistance for improved care and support services and early care services. In Madera County the following services are available as funding allows.

For more information or to apply call 559-675-7893 and ask for HIV Services.  All services are free.

• Bilingual services
• Case management 
• Emergency food & housing assistance, transportation
• Lab tests
• Limited medical treatment
• Monthly support group meeting
• Nutritional assessments and counseling
• Public benefits assistance
• Referrals: medical, dental, legal, mental health, substance abuse, religious/spiritual, hospice & end-of-life services 

Madera County Public Health Department is the enrollment site for ADAP in Madera County. The purpose of the program is to purchase HIV related formulary drugs which cannot be paid for through other sources (Medi-Cal, private insurance, prepaid plans, or other state or local plans.) 

ADAP is the payer of last resort.

Those eligible for ADAP:

• are HIV-infected.
• have an annual federal adjusted gross income below $50,000.
• are not covered by/eligible for Medi-Cal or other third-party payor.
• are a resident of California.
• 18 years of age or older.
• have a valid prescription from a California licensed physician.

There is a copayment obligation if annual federal adjusted gross income is between 400% of federal poverty level and $50.000.  Those with a federal adjusted gross income below 400% of federal poverty level receive the drugs free of charge. For more information or to apply call 559-675-7893 or 800-427-6897.

• The HIV HOPWA (Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS) program helps people with HIV/AIDS find safe and stable housing. It can pay for rent, utilities, and support services to help individuals and families stay in their homes. This program is for people with HIV/AIDS who have low income and need help to keep their housing. It helps make sure that people have a place to live while they focus on their health.
• HOPWA Brochure: English | Spanish