CAMP Rehoboth offers free STD testing services

Sexually transmitted diseases pose a serious public health threat to Delawareans. After working with the Department of Public Health, CAMP Rehoboth will soon start offering free testing for gonorrhea and chlamydia.

The test is urine based and is just as accurate as the traditional blood test.

“It’s tragic that so many men and women continue to be affected by STDs [sexually transmitted diseases]. Most STDs are curable or treatable, and they are all preventable,” said Salvatore Seeley, program director of CAMP Rehoboth’s health and wellness programs.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states about 19 million new sexually transmitted infections occur every year in the United States, and almost half of these are among young people ages 15 to 24. Untreated, STDs such as gonorrhea and chlamydia are major causes of infertility among women.

Getting tested for sexually transmitted infections is the best way to for people to be sure they don’t have one. Even though people may be have no symptoms, it is still possible they can have an STD if they were exposed. Sometimes an STD may be present in the body for a considerable period of time without symptoms, so the best way to know for sure is to get tested, said Seeley.

Some people like to be screened for certain STDs annually, or each time they have a new sexual partner. Others may learn from a partner that they may have been exposed. In these cases, a healthcare provider can help suggest the most appropriate tests and can give people an idea of the cost of asymptommatic screening.

In addition to STD testing, CAMP Rehoboth offers free HIV testing and hepatitis vaccinations. Tests are available by appointment or by walk-in from 3 to 6 p.m., Thursday evenings. To schedule an appointment, call Seeley at 302-227-5620. CAMP Rehoboth is located at 37 Baltimore Ave., Rehoboth Beach.