Sexually transmitted infection (STI, also called an STD) are the most reported infectious disease in Dakota County and Minnesota.
Many STIs have no signs and symptoms, and sometimes the symptoms go away but the STI is still present. If left untreated, STIs can lead to complications. It can lead to infertility in men and women. It can also lead to pregnancy complications and pelvic inflammatory disease in women.
Testing and treatment are important
Testing and treatment can help reduce the spread of STIs. Syphilis, HIV, gonorrhea and chlamydia cases in Dakota County have risen recently. The highest numbers were reported in women age 15–24 years. It is important to have an honest and open talk with your health care provider and ask whether you should be tested. The CDC has screening recommendations based on age and individual risk factors.
Low-cost STI testing is available
If you are uninsured, there are low-cost STD testing clinics in Dakota County and nearby communities. Most of the clinics test for HIV, chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, human papillomavirus (HPV), Mpox and herpes. Contact the clinic for details.
Red Door Clinic - Hennepin County Public Health
- 612-543-5555
- 525 Portland Ave. South, Minneapolis
Clinic 555 - Ramsey County Public Health
- 651-266-1255
- 1850 Beam Ave., Maplewood
La Clinica – Minnesota Community Care
- 651-602-7500
- 153 Cesar Chavez St., St. Paul
Planned Parenthood
- 1-800-230-7526
- Multiple locations
Minnesota Family Planning and STD Hotline
- 1-800-783-2287: Toll-free hotline for confidential information about the prevention, testing locations and treatment of STDs in Minnesota
CDC NPIN: Get tested
- Search by zip code to find low cost or free STD and HIV testing near you.
Preventing STIs
Get the facts about STIs and then take action to protect yourself and your sexual partners. Effective strategies for reducing STI risk include:
- Abstinence or use protection: Don’t have sex or, if you do, use a condom or barrier method every time to prevent STIs.
- Vaccination: Vaccines are safe, effective, and recommended ways to prevent hepatitis B and HPV.
- Getting tested and treated: Knowing your STI status is a critical step to stopping STI transmission. Get tested often and notify your partners if you have an STI. Ask your partners to get tested regularly.
- Pre-exposure medication: Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) is a medicine you can take before sex to prevent HIV. Talk to you doctor to see if PrEP is right for you.
- Post-exposure medication: Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) and doxyPEP are medicines taken soon after sex (within 72 hours) to lower the chances of getting HIV or some STIs. If you think you've been exposed to an STI, ask your doctor about PEP and doxyPEP.
For more information