Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are the most frequently reported infectious disease in Dakota County and Minnesota.
Many STDs have no signs and symptoms, and sometimes the symptoms go away but the STD is still present. If left untreated, STDs can lead to complications such as infertility in men and women, and pregnancy complications and pelvic inflammatory disease in women.
Testing and treatment are important
STD testing and treatment can help reduce the spread of STDs. Syphilis, gonorrhea and chlamydia cases in Dakota County have risen recently, with the highest numbers 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 for STDs. The CDC has screening recommendations based on age and individual risk factors.
Low-cost STD 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
- Phone: 612-543-5555
- 525 Portland Ave. South, Minneapolis
Clinic 555 - Ramsey County Public Health
- 651-266-1352
- 555 Cedar St., St. Paul
Directory of Family Planning Services
- Listing of publicly funded programs throughout Minnesota.
Minnesota Family Planning and STD Hotline
- Toll-free hotline for confidential information about the prevention, testing locations and treatment of STDs in Minnesota: 1-800-78-FACTS.
Hepatitis B – Acute and chronic infections
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infects the liver. HBV is spread through infected blood and body fluids. Risk factors include being born to an HBV-infected woman, having unprotected sex, sharing injection drug equipment, sharing personal hygiene items (e.g., razors, nail clippers, toothbrushes), and living in a household with infected persons.
Dakota County Public Health works with pregnant people who have tested positive for HBV. Staff follow up with the person and their close contacts to perform health checks. Once the baby is born, Dakota County works with the family to make sure the baby receives HBV-related vaccines and follow up healthcare. For more information on Dakota County's perinatal HBV work, call 952-891-7585.
Preventing STDs
Get the facts about STDs and then take action to protect yourself and your sexual partners. Effective strategies for reducing STD risk include:
- Abstinence: The most reliable way to avoid infection is to not have sex.
- Vaccination: Vaccines are safe, effective, and recommended ways to prevent hepatitis B and HPV.
- Decreasing transmission: Decrease your risk by taking important steps to protect yourself.
- Getting tested: Knowing your STD status is a critical step to stopping STD transmission. If you know you are infected you can take steps to protect yourself and your partners.
For more information