What Youth and Young Adults Should Know

625 of all new STD cases are in persons aged 13-24.

Males are 2x more likely to pass an STD to their partner.

Females are 2x more likely to catch an STD from their partner.

1 in 4 sexually active females has an STD.

In 2020, Escambia County had the 9^th highest STD rate for 13-24-year-olds in the state (out of 67 counties).

In 2019, youth and young adults made up two-thirds of all STD cases in Escambia County.

In a group of 10 friends, 3 will likely have an STD.

Prevention/Risk Reduction 

• Not having sexual contact is the only way to protect yourself 100% from an STD.
• Talk about STDs with your partner.
• Use protection with every sexual activity.
• Get tested at least once a year and/or before entering a sexual relationship with a new partner.
• If you test positive for an STD, make sure both you and your partner get treated. 
• Less is more. Fewer partners equal more protection.
• Limit meeting sexual partners on mobile apps. Casual hookups with people you don’t know are riskier.

Things to Know 

• All STDs are preventable.
• Anyone who participates in unprotected sexual activities can get an STD.
• Escambia County Health Department offers free condoms.
• Youth aged 12-17 can receive free confidential testing and treatment at the health department.
• Even if you are treated for an STD, you can be reinfected.
• Half of all chlamydia and gonorrhea infections do not cause symptoms.
• Birth control alone does not protect you from STDs. Always use a condom.

Additional Resources: 

CDC: STD Fact Sheets

FloridaHealth: Bureau of STD Prevention & Control

Location and Contact Information 

Fairfield Service Center
1295 West Fairfield Drive

The STD office is open:
Monday-Thursday from 8 AM to 5 PM
Fridays from 7:30 AM to 1:30 PM

Call 850-595-6500, Option 1 for more information. Option 2 or 850-6554 to schedule an appointment.