BRHD Sexually Transmitted Infections Program

Sexually transmitted infections (STI) are infections that are passed from one person to another through sexual contact. These include chlamydia, gonorrhea, genital herpes, human papillomavirus (HPV), syphilis, and HIV. Many of these STIs do not show symptoms for a long time. Even without symptoms, they can still be harmful and passed on during sex.

STIs are common, especially among young people. There are about 20 million new cases of STIs each year in the United States. About half of these infections are in people between the ages of 15 and 24. Young people are at greater risk of getting an STI.

Access to high-quality health care is essential for early detection, treatment, and behavior-change counseling for STIs. Groups with the highest rates of STIs are often the same groups for whom access to or use of health services is most limited.