STD Awareness Month

April marks the annual observance of STD Awareness Month.  Individuals, health care providers and community-based organizations are encouraged to bring a renewed sense of focus to their awareness and prevention of sexually transmitted diseases.  Studies show that people who have STDs such as gonorrhea, herpes and syphilis are more likely to get HIV compared to people who are STD-free.  According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 20 million new STDs, including 50,000 new HIV infections, occur every year.  Mary Beth Johnson, CPN, leads Sanford Health's downtown Sioux Falls clinic.  She joined Dakota Midday to discuss the statistics.