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Health Promotion
Public Health
https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/NESTATE/subscriber/new?topic_id=NESTATE_475
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The Nebraska STI Prevention program funds free and low-cost STD screening. Screening is an important prevention tool that can lead to early diagnosis of disease, targeted therapy, prevent infection spread, improve health outcomes and reduce direct medical costs.
​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​NE DHHS STI Prevention, Surveillance, and Partner Services program is a comprehensive program that utilizes community partnerships across Nebraska to serve individuals in need of screening for sexually transmitted infection (STI). Screening is an important prevention tool that can lead to early diagnosis of disease, timely and effect treatment, inhibit spread, improve health outcomes, and reduce direct medical costs.​


Find Out More (CDC Links)

Testing and Treatment Resources

NE DHHS has various locations across Nebraska where STI testing and treatment is provided. See map below. Expedited Partner Therapy (EPT) is available, see one-pager for more information​.


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STDs and Pregnant Women

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) can complicate pregnancy and have severe consequences for a woman and her developing baby. If you are pregnant, you can become infected with the same STDs as women who are not pregnant. Pregnant women should ask their doctors about getting tested for STDs and more specifically, testing for syphilis. In Nebraska, there has been a rise in syphilis cases among women. For more information please contact your local health department.

Should I Get Tested for Syphilis?

Yes, all pregnant women in Nebraska should be tested for syphilis at the first prenatal visit and again during the third trimester of pregnancy. This is mandated by state law​. ​Keep in mind that you can have syphilis and not know it. Many people with syphilis do not have any symptoms. Also, syphilis symptoms may be very mild or similar to signs of other health problems. The only way to know for sure if you have syphilis is to get tested.

I'm Pregnant, Can I Get an STD?

Yes. Women who are pregnant can become infected with the same STDs as women who are not pregnant. Pregnancy does not provide women or their babies any additional protection against STDs. Many STDs don't have symptoms, so you may not know if you are infected. If you are pregnant, you should be tested for STDs, including HIV (the virus that causes AIDS), as a part of your medical care during pregnancy.​

How Can STDs Affect Me and My Unborn Baby?

STDs can complicate your pregnancy and may have serious effects on both you and your developing baby. Some of these problems may be seen at birth; others may not be discovered until months or years later. In addition, it is well known that infection with an STD can make it easier for a person to get infected with HIV. Most of these problems can be prevented if you receive regular medical care during pregnancy. This includes tests for STDs starting early in pregnancy and repeated close to delivery, as needed. Testing and treating pregnant women for STDs is a vital way to prevent serious health complications to both mother and baby that may otherwise happen with infection. The sooner you begin receiving medical care during pregnancy, the better the health outcomes will be for you and your unborn baby. STD testing recommendations for women.

Can I Get Treated for an STD While I'm Pregnant?

Yes. STDs, such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, trichomoniasis, and BV can all be treated and cured with antibiotics that are safe to take during pregnancy. STDs that are caused by viruses, like genital herpes, hepatitis B, or HIV cannot be cured. However, in some cases, these infections can be treated with antiviral medications or other preventive measures to reduce the risk of passing the infection to your baby. If you are pregnant or considering pregnancy, you should be tested so you can take steps to protect yourself and your baby.​

How Can I Reduce My Risk of Getting an STD?

The only way to avoid STDs is to not have vaginal, anal, or oral sex. If you are sexually active, you can reduce your chances of getting an STD by being in a long-term, mutually monogamous relationship with a partner who has been tested and has negative STD test results. Using latex condoms the right way every time you have sex can prevent STDs.​

Nebraska Surveillance and Data

  • In Nebraska, syphilis, gonorrhea, HIV/AIDS, and chlamydia are reported to the appropriate health department. Laboratories and health care providers provide the health department with information for controlling and preventing sexually transmitted diseases. See reportable conditions. Prompt reporting and accurate identification are important:​
  • For clients that may need treatment,
  • For identifying sex partners who may be infected, and
  • For monitoring disease trends.

Reports

Partner Services

Disease intervention is key to sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevention and control. Disease intervention specialists (DIS) use contact tracing and case investigation to prevent and control infectious diseases. DIS also use partner services to assist in identifying individuals at risk for STIs, increasing STI awareness, and providing timely treatment.

  • prevention counseling
  • HIV and STI testing
  • hepatitis screenings
  • vaccinations
  • treatment or medical referrals
  • referrals to other services (e.g., reproductive health services, prenatal care, substance abuse treatment, social support, housing assistance, legal services, and mental health services)

Disease Intervention Specialist (DIS)

Highly trained public health professionals known as disease intervention specialists (DIS) are at the forefront of disease intervention work. While DIS primarily work with STIs, they also assist during urgent outbreak situations. DIS use contact tracing and case investigation to prevent and control infectious diseases. Both practices involve identifying and supporting people who may have been infected by exposure with a person with an infectious disease.

With skills in problem solving, negotiation, and communication, DIS specialize in

  • public health investigations
  • case management and analysis
  • provider and community engagement
  • outbreak detection and response

In addition to routine work, DIS have been used in public health responses from Ebola to COVID-19 and after natural disasters.

Confidentiality

STD reports are strictly confidential. In Nebraska, as in most states, syphilis, gonorrhea, HIV/AIDS, and chlamydia are reported to the appropriate health department. Laboratories and health care providers provide the health department with information for controlling and preventing sexually transmitted diseases. Prompt reporting and accurate identification are important.​​

Provider Resources

These resources are available for download and self-printing, or email us at dhhs.std@nebraska.gov and we can print and mail them to you.

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STD Program
Department of Health & Human Services​
Mailing Address
P.O. Box 95026, Lincoln, Nebraska 68509-5026

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