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Vermilion County IL Health Department


S
yphilis
, gonorrhea, chlamydia, herpes,
genital warts
, hepatitis, HIV.........
These are all Sexually Transmitted Diseases. Some STDs, such as gonorrhea, chlamydia, and syphilis can be treated and cured. But they have to be found first. Some people have these diseases and don't even know it -
they may have no symptoms.
Untreated gonorrhea and chlamydia can cause pelvic inflammatory infection, or can cause sterility or infertility. Left untreated, syphilis can can cause damage to the brain, spinal cord, and other organs of the body. A pregnant woman with syphilis can pass the disease to her unborn child. Syphilis could cause miscarriage or birth defects.
Other Sexually Transmitted Disease such as herpes, genital warts, HIV, and hepatitis are not curable, but there is medication and treatment to relieve or eliminate the symptoms. However, taking the medication and/or treatment does not mean the symptoms won't return.

You may be at risk if........

  • In your life, have you had sex (of any kind) with more than one person?
  • You don't know how many partners your partner has had in the last week, month, year, or lifetime
  • You don't know the name(s) of the person(s) with whom you have had sex or anything about them or who they have had sex with
  • You don't know anything about your sex partner(s) Does he/she "look" or "seem" like the "type" of person who just could not possibly have any kind of sexual disease? Don't be fooled
  • You share needles with other people, or have sex with people who do
  • You buy or sell sex for drugs, money or other items; or if you have sex with people that do
  • You have participated in unprotected sex (without a condom)
  • You have a discharge, bumps, sores, or lesions in your genital area
  • You have a skin rash on your arms, hands, legs, or feet, or a sudden hair loss; or if you have had sex with anyone with these symptoms
  • You have had sex when you've been drinking / drunk, or high, or not in control of what you're doing
  • Your partner has had sex with other people, or shared needles with others
  • You had sex without a condom, or other type of barrier; birth control will not protect you from STDs |

If you think the person you are with doesn't "look" like he/she might give you an STD, think again.....and then ask before you have sex. couple1 People who believe they are "safe" because of the way their partner looks, or because they assume someone is being faithful, may be in for a big, unpleasant surprise. Don't make a mistake you will regret for a long time.

See your doctor. Or, come to the Vermilion County Health Department's STD Clinic. We're located at 200 South College Street, in Danville.
STD services are FREE. FREE condoms are available on site.
The STD Clinic
is open on Tuesday and Friday mornings from 9:30am to 11:00am. The clinic is free and confidential. There is an adolescent clinic on Tuesday afternoons during the school year. If you have questions, call us at 431-2662, extension 300, or via email email

  • STDs are spread during close sexual activity. Some STDs, like HIV andHepatitis B can also spread by contact with infected blood. Anytime you have sexual contact with another person, you run the risk of getting an STD. Proper use of condoms can help, but the truth is, only abstinence works 100% of the time to protect you from an STD, HIV/AIDS, or from getting pregnant..
    And the only sure way to know if you are infected is to get tested.couple2
    If you are having sex, protect yourself and your partner:
  • Limit the number of (sex) partners you have. ALWAYS use a condom or barrier for ALL types of sex.
  • NEVER share needles with anyone. BEFORE you engage in a sexual relationship with someone, make sure BOTH of you have been screened for STD's.
  • NEVER have sex when you're high, or drunk.

We offer free, confidential walk-in STD clinics from 9:30am to 11:00am Tuesdays and Fridays. FREE condoms are available. If you're in school, we offer free, confidential STD clinics during the school year on Tuesday afternoons from 2:30 to 4pm. Or call us at 217-431-2662. For more information, call the Illinois HIV/AIDS/STD Hotline at 1-800-243-2437
Don't play games with your future.

Family Planning/STD/HIV

last updated 1/29/10


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