Erie County Government - Official website of the Erie County, NY Government

Skip Navigation

Note: Although this web site is fully accessible to all browsers and internet devices, it has been designed to utilize current web standards, and therefore appears quite differently in browsers that do not support current web standards.

For more information on web standards and how to upgrade your browser please visit the Browser Upgrade Campaign at http://www.webstandards.org/upgrade/.

Return to Erie County homepage

For The Community

2004 Data on Sexually Transmitted Infections

  1. Alan Guttmacher Institute published a report in Feb.04 that said 27,000,000 young Americans under 25 are sexually active.
  2. The CDC states that every year there are 19,000,000 new cases of STIs and 48% are among teens and young adults aged 15-24. A young cervix is more susceptible to infections. Annual cost 10 billion dollars.
  3. The reason why STIs spread so easily is because most people feel that it "won't happen to them", the invincibility factor. (ASHA)
  4. STIs cause a range of long term, serious problems: Human Wart Virus (HPV) can cause cervical cancer, and bacterial infections like Gonorrhea or Chlamydia can cause infertility in women. STIs can also put one at greater risk for HIV/AIDS.
  5. Women often have no symptoms and are often unaware that they are infected.
  6. Most people (93%) will say they are sure their partner is not infected, even though they do not know if they have been tested. Testing is easy. Be safe.
  7. Latex condoms can offer protection most of the time if used consistently and correctly each and every time two people have sex. Sex can be vaginal, anal and/or oral.
  8. Visit your local health department for STI testing and treatment. Walk-ins accepted. Ask about free services. 858-8655.