Field services are a link between clinic services and persons who are either infected and/or at risk of acquiring a sexually transmitted disease. The STD field staff serves as the front line of defense for intervening in the spread of STDs. Services are confidential and include counseling for persons who are infected with STDs and their partners, conducting organized community outreach screenings for syphilis and HIV, and reaching thousands of at risk residents and visitors annually.
Partner Counseling and Referral Services (PCRS) are an integral component of Field Services. Partners should be informed if they have been exposed to HIV, syphilis or any other STD for the following reasons:
- Your Partner(s) may be infected and not know it.
- If infected your Partner(s) can get early treatment and/or medical care. If they have been exposed to syphilis or some of the other STDs they may be preventively treated and cured before they have any signs or symptoms.
- Treating your partners and practicing prevention measures will keep you from getting reinfected.
- If uninfected they have a baseline knowledge of their sexual health and receive personalized risk reduction plans.
The STD Program staff can assist you and/or inform your Partner(s). This is a confidential service. When a Disease Intervention Specialist informs your Partner(s) that they have been exposed to HIV, syphilis or another STD, your name will never be mentioned.
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