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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Pittsburgh, PA — According to the Pennsylvania Department of Health, southwest Pennsylvania has the second highest rate of Chlamydia and Gonorrhea infections in the state, with Allegheny County accounting for the most sexually transmitted disease (STD) cases in the region. Pittsburgh AIDS Task Force (PATF) now offers free Chlamydia and Gonorrhea testing along with its established HIV testing program.
People may be infected with an STD and not show any symptoms, resulting in many of these cases going undetected and untreated leading to rising rates of infection. Men and women who are sexually active, especially among young people ages 15 to 24, are at risk for contracting these infections. The only way to know that you do not have an STD is to get tested.
“It is incredibly important for people to get tested,” said PATF Executive Director Charles Christen, “because even if you don’t show symptoms, you are still capable of spreading the disease to others and, if left untreated, STDs can lead to major health issues up to and including death.”
Free STD testing will be available at the PATF offices in East Liberty at 5913 Penn Avenue six days a week as well as at all of its off-site testing locations. Test results can be available as quickly as 24 hours after a urine sample is submitted. Visit www.patf.org for a full schedule of testing locations, days, and hours.
As the oldest and largest AIDS service organization in southwestern Pennsylvania, PATF is dedicated to supporting and empowering all individuals living with HIV/AIDS, and to be relentless in preventing the spread of infection. PATF is a leader in providing comprehensive support services that improve the health and quality of life for those living with HIV/AIDS in Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Cambria, Fayette, Greene, Indiana, Somerset, Washington, and Westmoreland counties. For more information, please contact Jason Herring at 412-345-0596, jherring@patf.org or visit www.patf.org.
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