WHY GYT NOW?

Of the approximately 19 million new STDs (also referred to as sexually transmitted infections or STIs) that occur every year in the U.S., most will go undiagnosed.  STDs often have no symptoms, so many of those who are infected don’t know it.  Lack of information, misconceptions and social stigma keep many people from getting tested.  Others may mistakenly believe they have been tested as part of general health care.  

Testing for chlamydia and gonorrhea, two of the most common STDs, is easier than ever before with many clinics now offering urine-based tests.  Rapid HIV tests can provide results in as fast as 20 minutes with a swab inside the mouth.  

Diagnosis and treatment of STDs is critical to safe guarding personal health, fostering sexual responsibility and addressing the wider STD epidemic.