Prevent. Test. Treat. – Clap Back at STI’s

As nurses at the Clinton County Health Department (CCHD), one of our roles is to work with local providers to identify, treat, and prevent diseases that are spread from person to person – aka communicable diseases. This includes certain STI’s (sexually transmitted infections) such as Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Syphilis, Trichomoniasis, and Herpes (in certain populations). CCHD is sent positive test results for all Clinton County residents. We then work closely with the testing provider to ensure the following:

1.           The patient has received adequate treatment. 
2.       The patient has been offered expedited partner therapy (EPT). 
3.       The patient has received education and counseling to prevent spreading the infection.

Cases of Chlamydia in Clinton County have almost doubled in the first quarter of 2022 (when compared to the first quarter of 2021) and Gonorrhea cases more than tripled from 2020 to 2021. Many STI’s are curable, most are treatable, and all are preventable. Take control of your sexual health by preventing STI’s, getting tested regularly, and getting treated immediately if you develop an STI.

 Prevent

Knowing how to prevent the spread of STI’s will help you take control of your sexual health. Have open conversations with your sexual partner(s) to ensure you are on the same page.

STI prevention options include:

• Using condoms or other latex barriers
• Getting vaccinated (vaccines can prevent many diseases, including some that are sexually transmitted, like HPV and hepatitis)
• Not having sexual contact (aka abstinence)
• Reducing your number of sexual partners
• Mutual monogamy

Test

Knowing your STI status is an important step in stopping the spread. If you have ever been sexually active, getting tested is one of the most important things you can do to protect your health and the health of others. You should also get tested with every new partner and have an honest and open talk with them about their sexual history. Many STI’s often have no symptoms, or if symptoms occur they may not appear until several weeks, months, or years after sexual contact. Getting tested may be the only way to be sure you have one.

Where can I get tested locally?

• Planned Parenthood of the North Country
• WellNow Urgent Care and other walk-in clinics
• SUNY Plattsburgh Student Health & Counseling Center
• The Veterans Association (VA)
• CVPH Emergency Room
• Your Primary Care Provider

Treat

If you test positive for an STI, you and all of your partners need to start treatment immediately. During treatment you need to refrain from sex for 7 days. It is also important to get tested again in 3 months since unsuccessful treatment the first time is fairly common. Without treatment, these infections can lead to major health problems such as; being unable to get pregnant (infertility), unable to stay pregnant, permanent brain damage, heart disease, and many types of cancer.

A great way to get speedy treatment to your partner(s) is by using EPT (Expedited Partner Therapy). This treatment allows your healthcare provider to treat your partner without ever seeing them. You can deliver the medicine or hand-written prescription directly to your partner. This can be done for most cases of chlamydia, trichomoniasis (“trich”) and gonorrhea. Ask your provider if you can give a medication or prescription to your partner(s) through EPT.

However you choose to be sexually active, do so safely and responsibly.

Communicable Disease Nursing Staff
Division of Health Care Services