Southeastern Idaho Public Health offers free STD testing through September

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) — Southeastern Idaho Public Health is offering free STD testing for the rest of the month, urging community members to take advantage of quick, accessible screenings.

The test will consist of a small needle prick to the finger; then the blood sample taken will be used to screen for Syphilis, Hepatitis C, and HIV, helping people catch potentially serious conditions early. Ian Troesoyer, a board-certified family nurse practitioner for Southeastern Idaho Public Health, recommends annual testing for individuals with multiple or new sexual partners.

"Anybody who has sex with new partners or whose partners have sex with other partners should get screened," Troesoyer said.

Although Idaho is ranked as one of the lowest STI and STD rates in the nation, that does not make them non-existent. Local cases are steadily rising across the region. According to data from the Pew Research Center, the prevalence of HIV cases in Idaho increased from 55.8 to 83.2 per 100,000 people between 2008 and 2021.

"Southeastern Idaho Public Health and East Idaho Public Health put out a press release earlier this year saying that we've gotten the same number of HIV cases in the first three months that we normally get in the whole year," Troesoyer said.

Routine screening is important not only to stop the spread of infection, but also to prevent long-term health complications. Conditions like Hepatitis C, if it goes unnoticed and untreated, could do irreversible damage to the liver.

Public health officials also want to eliminate the stigma and anxiety often associated with STD testing.

"There are a lot of people who feel uncomfortable or nervous about getting tested because nobody wants bad news. But knowing is empowerment," Troesoyer said. "Knowing is able to keep yourself healthy. And so even if someone is positive for something, there's usually something we can do about it. It's better to know better to help protect your partners, protect the community, and also protect your own health."

If you are interested in free testing, click is HERE.

Residents unable to attend this month's event will have another opportunity when SIPH hosts its next free testing event in December.