April is Sexually Transmitted Infections Awareness Month, and the Berrien County Health Department is reminding everyone of ways to keep themselves safe and healthy.
Health department registered nurse Dionne Rigozzi tells us the department runs a Sexual Health Clinic that served more than 1,500 people last year. It offers testing for a variety of STIs, which Rigozzi recommends every three months for sexually active adults.
Rigozzi tells us syphilis cases in Berrien County have been trending down after the department raised the alarm about them last year.
“We work with MDHHS, the state of Michigan, and we have folks that monitor our area in Berrien County,” Rigozzi said. “So if a case becomes available, of course we get involved. A lot of times they’re finding out from maybe a test that they had elsewhere, so we will retest here.”
And Rigozzi says those cases have been down, although the health department still wants pregnant women to get tested. Meanwhile, another STI has seen an increase in Berrien County.
“So right now it seems to be more chlamydia, which is treated right away with an antibiotic.”
In fact, Rigozzi says many STIs can be treated quickly upon discovery. She notes you can get results from some STI tests within a half hour now, although the total amount of time it takes to come in and be tested is about an hour. She also reminds everyone of the importance of using condoms, which the health department can provide.
You can find out more information at the Berrien County Health Department’s website.
