Sexual Health Program

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Introduction


Sexual health is an important part of health and wellness. The Shelby County Health Department offers services for all adults and sees individuals ages 13 and up. Sexual health is more than knowing about sexually transmitted infections (STIs), disease risks, and other safety precautions. It is also maintaining healthy communication and relationships. Healthy attitudes toward sexual health and sexuality are essential for anyone who wants to understand how to conduct a healthier lifestyle.

A healthier lifestyle begins with knowledge. At the Shelby County Health Department, there are vast opportunities to learn about sex and the decisions that go along with being sexually active. Communication is another part of being healthy. Talk to your partner and your provider about safer sex and staying protected.

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Services and Materials


The Shelby County Health Department Sexual Health Program provides:

• Free condoms

• HIV Early Intervention Services

• HIV Medical Case Management Services

• LGBTQ Friendly Services

• PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) Services

• Sexual education brochures and materials

• Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) Testing

• Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) Treatment

• STI/HIV Counseling

Appointments

901-222-9385

To schedule appointments for STI testing, contact the Shelby County Sexual Health Clinic:

 814 Jefferson Ave. Room 102

Cost

For uninsured patients, the cost of an office visit, testing, and treatment is $10, which can be paid using cash, debit, or credit cards. (American Express not accepted)

Counseling

901-222-9427

STD Confidential Counseling Triage is a way to protect your privacy and identify STDs for treatment. A triage is a preliminary assessment of a patient to determine the urgency of their need for treatment and what type of treatment.

STI/HIV Lab or Physician Reporting

901-222-9410 (Telephone)

901-222-9337 (Fax)

Timely reporting of STIs is essential to local public health efforts. STI and HIV-positive laboratory results may be reported to Shelby County Health Department using the telephone or fax number listed above.

STI Testing & Treatment

There are many sexually transmitted infections (STIs) that are passed from one person to another through sexual contact. Some STIs, such as syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia, are spread mainly by sexual contact. Other diseases, including hepatitis C and mpox, can be spread sexually but are also spread through ways other than sexual contact.

Prompt testing and appropriate treatment of STIs are essential for personal health. Testing results typically take up to five working days. Untreated STIs may be transmitted to sexual partners and cause long-term complications such as severe illness and infertility. STIs in pregnancy can cause complications like stillbirths and preterm delivery.

The Sexual Health Program provides confidential testing and treatment of chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis. The program provides testing and referrals to care for hepatitis C and HIV.

What to do if you have symptoms of an STI


Symptoms of an STI can be mild or feel like other problems, such as feeling you might have the flu. If you have symptoms, you may notice different types of symptoms depending on the STI. Symptoms for STIs can differ on an individual basis. Contact the Shelby County Health Department or your local primary care physician if you start feeling symptoms.

Chlamydia

Chlamydia is the most frequently reported STI in the United States.

• Symptoms for Chlamydia may show up several weeks after having sex.

• Many people have no symptoms.

• It is spread through vaginal, anal, or oral sex with someone infected with Chlamydia.

• Discharge from the vagina or penis and burning sensation when urinating

• You can give chlamydia to your sex partner(s)

• Can be treated and cured with antibiotic pills or liquid

Gonorrhea

Gonorrhea is the second most frequently reported STI in the United States.

• Symptoms may show up 1-14 days after having sex

• Many people have no symptoms

• Spread during vaginal, anal, or oral sex with someone who has gonorrhea

• You can give gonorrhea to your sex partner(s)

• Can be cured with antibiotic pills or a shot

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Hepatitis C

It is a virus that causes inflammation of the liver.

• Symptoms may show up between 6 weeks and six months after contact with the hepatitis C virus

• Many people do not have symptoms or mild symptoms

• Flu-like feelings and tiredness that don’t go away

• Pain in the abdomen, nausea, vomiting

• Dark urine and Jaundice (yellow skin)

• Some people get well with no treatment

• No cure for chronic hepatitis C but medicines may prevent severe liver disease

HIV

HIV cannot be cured, but medicine can help control it.

• Symptoms may show up weeks, months, or years after having contact with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS

• Unexplained weight loss or tiredness

• Flu-like feelings that don’t go away

• White spots in the mouth

• Spread during vaginal, anal, or oral sex with someone who has HIV

• Spread by sharing needles for any reason

• Spread by contact with infected blood

• You can give HIV to your sex partner(s) or someone you share a needle with

• Can cause illness and death

Syphilis

Syphilis can have serious complications when left untreated.

• 1st stage of syphilis is where symptoms show up 1-12 weeks after having sex

• Painless sore or sores on the mouth or sex organs

• Sores last 2-6 weeks

• 2nd stage is where symptoms show up as the sore heals

• A rash anywhere on the body

• Flu-like feelings

• Spread during vaginal, anal, or oral sex, and sometimes by genital touching with someone who has syphilis

• You can give syphilis to your partners

• It can be cured with a shot or antibiotic pills

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