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SYPHILIS
Educate yourself on STDs, get tested
Three little words — sexually transmitted diseases — can alert a spectrum of emotions in everyone.

Although sex education is taught in public schools and from free resources available in Tarrant County, we wonder if any difference is being made and if the services are being used.

According to the 2001 Texas HIV/STD surveillance report, the number of syphilis cases in Tarrant County alone went from 192 to 273 during the year.

That’s an increase of 42 percent.

Most educators tell us that the best way to prevent STDs is through abstinence and we definitely agree.

But some people are going to having sex anyway, making disease prevention all the more important.

The Health Center offers services for women, including diagnosis and treatment of STDs, which is usually covered under most insurance agencies, according to its Web site.

The Planned Parenthood of North Texas Web site states the organization has 27 clinics covering 57 counties throughout North Texas, serving about 63,000 clients a year.

The services for men and women include testing and treatment of STDs. Costs of the services are usually minimal and based on donations.

Planned Parenthood also offers group educational programs.

The Tarrant County Public Health department offers many of the same services that other organizations have, including STD prevention and treatment.

The stigma of STDs may be the reason for the lack of participation in prevention and treatment programs but many of these organizations work under confidentiality rules and laws.

Take advantage of what’s available, it can help.