With sexually transmitted diseases on the rise nationwide, access to healthcare remains a problem for many in the Rio Grande Valley and local health officials are saying preventative measures are key to staying safe.

The top sexually transmitted infections in the RGV include chlamydia and gonorrhea, which were reported in 2018, the last year information was available. 

“The more partners you have, the more likely you're going to get an STD,” Hidalgo County Health Authority Dr. Ivan Melendez said. 

The Valley AIDS Council is urging everyone who is sexually active to get tested.

“Come and get tested at any of our clinics in Harlingen, McAllen, or Brownsville,” Valley AIDS Council CEO Wally Cantu said. “Put on a condom, because we know with HIV there's a pill that can prevent HIV, but that pill does nothing to prevent STIs, so put on a condom.”

Dr. Melendez also encourages everyone to get free STD testing through the Hidalgo County Health and Human Services department.

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