Family Planning and STD (Sexually Transmitted Disease)

Family Planning

A family planning clinic is a special clinic that offers services such as birth control, pregnancy tests, yearly exams for men and women, counseling about pregnancy, and STD screening including HIV testing.

For information about low-cost services call Bloomington Public Health at 952-563-8900.

Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD)

STDs are diseases that are spread through anal, oral or vaginal intercourse. Some cause no symptoms. Some STDs, such as HIV and Hepatitis B, can be transmitted by sharing drug injection equipment.

Chlamydia

Chlamydia is curable. It can be easily cured with antibiotics.
Chlamydia makes HIV easier to catch and to give.
Up to 80 percent of women and up to half of all infected men have no symptoms. Chlamydia can lead to unusual discharge from the vagina and/or bleeding in women. In men, it can lead to discharge from the penis.
Chlamydia is passed through the vagina and anal sex, but not usually oral sex. It can lead to infertility in women.
Chlamydia is especially common in young persons, especially those under age 25.

Syphilis

Syphilis is curable. It is caused by a bacteria and can be cured with antibiotics.
Syphilis can be passed through oral, vaginal and anal sex.
Syphilis symptoms may go unnoticed. The sores are usually painless.
Syphilis can lead to organ damage, including brain damage, and death.
Pregnant women should get tested for syphilis early. Syphilis may be passed from mother to fetus and may cause the fetus to die.

Genital herpes

Genital herpes is a viral infection and NOT curable, but it can be treated to control symptoms. It is easier for a person to get HIV infection if they have herpes.
People can transmit herpes from the first sign of pain or itching until blister-like sores are completely gone. People can also transmit herpes some of the time when they have no symptoms.
Herpes can cause sores in the genital area. Herpes can be easily passed through oral, vaginal and anal sex. Many people who have herpes do not know it and may pass it on to others.
It is important for pregnant women to get checked for herpes.

Hepatitis A, B, and C

Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A is a virus that causes infection of the liver. Symptoms begin 2-6 weeks after exposure. Most people recover within three weeks; it is more severe with age. Early symptoms include nausea, loss of appetite, vomiting, fatigue, fever, and cramps.

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is a virus that causes infection of the liver. Symptoms usually begin 6 weeks to 6 months after exposure to the virus. Most people recover within 3 weeks.
Early symptoms can include nausea, loss of appetite, vomiting, fatigue, and abdominal cramps. Dark yellow or brown urine, pale or white-colored stools, and jaundice (yellow eyes or skin) may also be present.
Persons can have all or only a few of the above signs and symptoms.
Nearly all infants and children and 50 percent of adults with a new infection have no symptoms whatsoever.
Over 90 percent of infants, 50 percent of children, and 5 percent of adults with acute hepatitis B will develop chronic or long-term infection. Chronic hepatitis B may lead to liver disease including cirrhosis and liver cancer.

Hepatitis C

Hepatitis C infects the liver. 15 percent of those who get hepatitis C are able to get rid of the virus and recover from the infection; 85 percent carry the virus in their body for the rest of their life. This is called chronic hepatitis C. Most of these people have some liver damage from the infection, but not enough to make them sick.
Some people develop scarring of the liver (called cirrhosis) over many years.
Some people with cirrhosis have no long-term effects but others may develop liver failure or liver cancer. People with immune suppression, such as HIV infection or people who drink alcohol (in any amount) may have a faster progression of liver disease.
Most people with hepatitis C do not know that they are infected because they do not feel sick. Fatigue may be the most common symptom of the infection.
Anyone infected with hepatitis C can spread the infection. Hepatitis C virus can be spread by tattooing, body piercing or acupuncture needles that have not been sterilized. The most common way that hepatitis C is spread is though the use of injection drugs.
There is no cure for hepatitis C, but treatment can cause the level of virus in your blood to become so low that it can not be detected.

For more information, contact:

Bloomington Public Health Division
1900 West Old Shakopee Road, Bloomington, MN 55431
PH: 952-563-8900 V/TTY
Office hours: Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Interpreters and transportation information are available upon request.