SANFORD, Fla. – During the month of April, the Florida Department of Health in Seminole County (DOH-Seminole) recognizes Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD) Awareness Month and encourages the community to get tested. DOH-Seminole is offering free testing for Gonorrhea, Syphilis, HIV and Chlamydia on the following dates:

April 11, 18 & 25
8:30-11:30am & 1:30-3:30pm
Health Clinic
Florida Department of Health in Seminole County
400 West Airport Blvd. Sanford

Saturday, April 15, 2017
10:00am-2:00pm
Westside Community Center
919 S. Persimmon Avenue, Sanford

“Many STDs do not present symptoms and go undetected, that is why testing is so important for diagnosis and to avoid spreading the disease to others. Anyone sexually active should talk to their partner and a doctor about risk factors, get tested, and if necessary, get treated to avoid additional health problems,” said Donna Walsh, health officer for the Florida Department of Health in Seminole County.

Sexually Transmitted Diseases can threaten immediate and long-term health and well-being. Untreated STDs can lead to reproductive complications such as infertility (inability to get pregnant) and ectopic pregnancy (pregnancy outside the womb). They can also cause severe health problems affecting the brain, eyes, heart and other organs, and increase a person's risk for becoming infected with and spreading HIV.

For more information on STD testing and treatment you may call (407) 665-3700 or visit www.seminolecohealth.com . For more information on STD Awareness Month visit www.cdc.gov/Features/STDAwareness/.

About the Florida Department of Health

The department, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.

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