Sexually Transmitted Infections: For Everyone

Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs): The Facts

  • Get tested. It is the only way to know for sure if you have an STI.
  • Many STIs don't cause any symptoms, so you could have one and not know. If you are having sex, getting tested is one of the most important things you can do to protect your health.
  • Minors aged 13-years-old and older are able to access STI testing at some locations without a parent or guardian present.
  • When compared nationally, Louisiana has some of the country's highest rates of chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis and HIV.
  • STIs can be transmitted through oral, vaginal and anal sex. They also can be transmitted during childbirth or by sharing needles of any kind.
  • If you suspect that you might have an STI, it is best to stop having sex until you can get tested, and if needed, treated.
  • You also should know that all STIs, even HIV, are treatable, and most are curable.
  • If you or your partner has an STI, both of you need to start treatment immediately. Getting treated right away can help avoid health problems down the road.
  • Make sure to fill your prescriptions and take your medication as prescribed. That also means you shouldn't share your prescription with your partner.
  • STIs can be prevented through abstinence, barrier methods (i.e., dental dams, condoms, etc.), routine STI testing, and the use of PrEP (HIV only). 
  • Seek PEP (Post-exposure prophylaxis), also known as "Plan B" for HIV must be started within 72 hours of potential exposure/contact to HIV. 

STI Testing

  • STI testing is quick, easy, and typically painless.
  • STI testing can be free or low-cost depending on testing location. Medicaid and private insurance also cover STI testing at many locations.
  • Some sites use rapid tests which will provide results within 20 minutes. If rapid tests are not used, results will be available in 2-10 days.
  • Depending on the type of STI test, a health care provider will collect a sample of the following: blood, genital fluid, urine or saliva.
  • Some STI testing locations may also conduct a physical examination.
  • Depending on the STI testing site same day treatment may be available.
  • If an individual tests positive for an STI, a health care provider will share treatment options and can provide additional resources.

Helpful questions to ask before/during an STI testing appointment

  • Do I need to make an appointment?
  • Which STIs is your site able to test for? (chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, trichomoniasis, herpes, hepatitis C, HIV, HPV)
  • Do you accept Medicaid?
  • Are testing services free or offered on a sliding-scale or low-cost options?
  • Which insurance do you accept?
  • Do I need to be accompanied by a parent or caregiver if I’m a minor?
  • Will my appointment and results be kept confidential?
  • How long will the appointment take?
  • When will my results be available? How will I be notified?
  • Should I refrain from sex (oral, vaginal, anal) before receiving my results?
  • Will my partner(s) need to be tested? How can I tell them?

Questions a health care provider may ask during an STI testing appointment

While these questions may seem quite personal, they help ensure that the individual receives the right tests and medical support.

  • What brings you in today?
  • Are you experiencing any symptoms? If so, how long have you had symptoms?
  • Are you sexually active with men, women, or both?
  • Do you have oral, vaginal, or anal sex?
  • Do you have one sexual partner or multiple sexual partners?
  • Have you ever had sex with someone who has injected drugs?
  • How do you protect yourself from sexually transmitted infections?
  • Are you or your partner trying to get pregnant?
  • Are you or your partner using contraception/birth control? Do you need any information about options?
  • Have you ever been forced or coerced to have sex against your will?
  • Have you or a partner ever tested positive for a sexually transmitted infection? If yes, which infections?
  • In the last year, how many sexual partners have you had?

Prevention

There are more ways than ever to protect your sexual health. Knowing your STI prevention options plays a vital role in reducing the spread of STIs.

Why Prevention Matters

Nationally, Louisiana ranks among the states with the highest rates of several STIs. According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's latest data, Louisiana ranks:

  • #1 in cases of chlamydia
  • #2 in cases of gonorrhea
  • #8 in cases of primary and secondary syphilis

STI Trends in Orleans Parish

  • Adults ages 20-29 account for the highest number of new STI diagnoses
  • Women account for the majority of new chlamydia diagnoses
  • Men account for the majority of new gonorrhea diagnoses
  • Men also account for the majority of new primary and secondary syphilis diagnoses

When left untreated, STIs can lead to cause serious health problems, including:

  • Pregnancy complications, congenital infections, premature birth, and serious health problems for newborns
  • Increased risk of certain cancers and damage to the brain, nerves, heart, and other organs
  • Increased risk of getting or transmitting HIV

Preventing STIs with Doxy PEP

What is Doxy PEP?

Doxy PEP (doxycycline post-exposure prophylaxis) is an antibiotic prescribed by a healthcare provider that helps prevent chlamydia, syphilis, and some gonorrhea infections. This medication should be taken as prescribed no later than 72 hours after sex.

Get a prescription ahead of time! Doxy PEP works best when you have it before you need it. Have an open and honest conversation with your healthcare provider about the types of sex you have. This can help you and your healthcare provider decide if doxy PEP is right for you, get a prescription so that you can have the medicine with you when you need it, and discuss other ways to protect your sexual health.

Who Should Consider Using Doxy PEP?

Currently the CDC recommends doxy PEP for:

  • Gay, bisexual, and other men and men who have sex with men (MSM)
  • Transgender women
  • Anyone who have had chlamydia, syphilis, or gonorrhea in the last 12 months (including those living with HIV)

Doxy PEP is not for pregnant individuals.

Additional Prevention Methods

  • Get tested regularly
  • Consider using condoms and dental dams
  • Get vaccinated. Vaccines are available for hepatitis A, hepatitis B, Mpox, and HPV
  • Talk to your healthcare provider about HIV PEP, PrEP and treatment

STI 2024 Report

The New Orleans Health Department (NOHD) has released its 2024 STI Report, providing the latest data on sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the city. The report, based on 2018-2023 data from the Louisiana Department of Health, highlights alarming trends, including a chlamydia incidence rate that exceeds both state and national averages and a sharp increase in new HIV cases among 15–19-year-olds. 

By focusing on New Orleans-specific data, the report underscores the urgent need for expanded testing, treatment, and prevention efforts, particularly among communities of color, young men, and pregnant women, who continue to experience disproportionately high STI rates. As STI cases rise across the city, NOHD is calling for increased awareness, early detection, and greater access to prevention resources to curb transmission and improve public health outcomes.

Access the full 2024 STI Report

Get It* On NOLA (*Get Tested and Protected Against Syphilis)

Syphilis is on the rise in New Orleans and Louisiana, especially among young and pregnant people. According to CDC data, Louisiana ranks 9th in the country for syphilis and 7th in congenital syphilis. Since 2019, Orleans Parish has experienced a 79% increase in the number of cases of primary and secondary syphilis--the most infectious stages of the disease. The bad news: without treatment, syphilis can cause serious health problems, including nerve damage and blindness. The good news: syphilis is preventable and curable in its early stages.

In response to high syphilis rates, the New Orleans Health Department has launched Get It* On NOLA, a sexual health education campaign designed to equip residents with the facts, connect them to resources, and address stigma. CDC recommends getting tested for syphilis, chlamydia, gonorrhea, HIV, and Hepatitis C at least once a year. Quick, free and low-cost syphilis and STI testing is available throughout New Orleans. As part of the Get It* On NOLA campaign, NOHD has launched the STI Testing Map to make it easier for residents to find convenient, low-cost syphilis and other STI testing locations.

Find STI Testing in New Orleans

Download STI Testing Locations in New Orleans

Additional Resources

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