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Toma las riendas de tu salud sexual y empodérate al saber tus resultados. Todo empieza haciéndote una prueba.

A lo largo del área metropolitana de la ciudad, Denver Public Health y su red de centros comunitarios ofrecen pruebas para detectar enfermedades de transmisión sexual (ETS) y el VIH. Las pruebas son gratis, rápidas y confidenciales. Encuentra abajo el centro más cercano y hazte una prueba hoy mismo: no necesitas hacer una cita. 



The Public Health Institute at Denver Health serves as a local, regional and national resource for professionals working in STD and HIV care and prevention. If you don't find the information you are seeking below, please reach out to our STD Clinical Consultation Network.


Syphilis is on the rise in Colorado. Statewide, the number of cases has increased 3-fold over the past five years, while cases of congenital syphilis increased 7-fold over that timeframe. Fifty cases of congenital syphilis were reported in the state of Colorado in 2023 and 22 cases have been reported so far in 2024.

To address this steep rise in cases, the state health department recommends that all pregnant persons be tested for syphilis at the first prenatal visit, early in the third trimester, and at the time of delivery.

Additional recommendations:

  • Test all pregnant persons who receive care in urgent cares or emergency departments and do not have documentation of syphilis testing during the current pregnancy.
  • Test all pregnant persons in correctional facilities for syphilis: at the first prenatal visit, early in the third trimester, and at the time of delivery
  • Include syphilis when testing for other STIs (gonorrhea, chlamydia, and/or HIV)
  • Offer annual syphilis testing for sexually active men who have sex with men, transgender persons, gender-diverse persons, or HIV-positive persons. More frequent screening may be considered.
  • Because the incidence of syphilis is now >4.6/100,000 individuals in the majority of Colorado counties, one-time screening for all sexually active individuals aged 15-44 years should be offered, with more frequent screening recommended for individuals with the above indications.

If you are a medical provider and have questions about the new recommendations, you can review the CDPHE syphilis information page for providers or submit questions through the National Network of STD Prevention Training Centers Clinical Consultation Service.

 

The Denver Sexual Health Clinic serves as a resource for medical professionals working in STD and HIV care and prevention. We can provide clinical rounds and educational opportunities for medical staff through the Denver Prevention Training Center. The Denver Prevention Training Center also has a wide range of other education and training opportunities that address STDs and effective prevention interventions.

The Denver Sexual Health Clinic prides itself on research. Our current research endeavors include Strengthening the US Response to Resistant Gonorrhea (SURRG), the Oropharyngeal gonorrhea test of cure evaluation project and mycroplasma gennitalium surveillance. Learn more about our research efforts. 


How to Prevent STDs

  • Abstinence or waiting
    • The simplest way of preventing STDs is by not having sex. For many people abstinence is not a permanent solution, so a more accurate term might be waiting.
    • Many people decide to wait or delay sex until conditions are right for them.
    • Some people wait until they meet the right person, until they know their partner better, or until marriage.
    • Whatever the reason, a person who is not having sex is not at risk for an STD.


Cada año, ocurren más de 18 millones de casos nuevos de Enfermedades de Transmisión Sexual (ETS en español o STDs, por sus siglas en inglés). Cualquier persona que esté teniendo relaciones sexuales puede contraer una enfermedad de transmisión sexual. El VIH se propaga a través de productos sanguíneos infectados y al tener relaciones sexuales, compartir jeringas o consumir drogas intravenosas.



Hazte la prueba antes de quitarte la ropa¿Sabías? 1 de cada 20 mujeres con vida sexual activa contraen la clamidia antes de los 24 años. Los síntomas de la clamidia no siempre se notan.


To view this page in Spanish, please select the 'Translate' feature found either by clicking on the globe icon to the right side of this page on desktop, or in the navigation menu in the upper right corner on mobile, and selecting Spanish language.

Para ver esta pagina en español, favor de seleccionar la opción de ‘Translate’ que puede encontrar haciendo clic en el símbolo del globo en la parte derecha de esta página, o en el menú de navegación en la esquina de arriba de su teléfono móvil, y seleccionando el idioma español.



PEP Facts

  • How To Take: PEP must begin within 72 hours of exposure. After this time HIV infection is established and cannot be prevented. Treatment should continue for four weeks. It involves taking multiple medicines, once or twice a day.
  • PEP Effectiveness: When taken as soon as possible after an exposure, PEP may be up to 80% effective at reducing your chance of getting HIV. Taking PEP does not guarantee that someone exposed to HIV will not get the virus. Missing a dose may reduce PEP’s ability to prevent HIV.
  • Who should use PEP? PEP should be used by anyone who thinks they have been exposed to HIV. People may be exposed to HIV in many ways:
    • On the job, such as through an accidental needle stick
    • From sexual assault
    • During condomless sex
    • Sharing needles used for injecting drugs
    Individuals who have experienced repeated HIV exposures outside of a health care setting should consider HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). PrEP is an effective prevention option that reduces the risk of getting HIV.
  • Side Effects: The most common side effects from PEP medications are nausea, headaches, fatigue, vomiting and diarrhea. These can be treated and are not life-threatening.
  • Does insurance cover the cost of PEP? Most insurance plans, including Medicaid, cover the cost of PEP. Co-pays and/or deductibles may still apply.
  • Patient Assistance: Medication assistance coordinators are available to assist with enrolling in patient assistance programs that you may qualify for that provide PEP at low or no cost.

PrEP Facts

  • How to take:
    • Truvada - One pill, everyday.
    • 2-1-1 Truvada - Take 2 pills 2-24 hours before sex, 1 pill 24 hours after 1st dose & 1 final pill 24 hours after 2nd dose. Discuss additional details with your provider; PrEP 2-1-1 San Francisco AIDS Foundation.
    • Descovy - One pill, everyday
    • Long-acting Injectable Cabotegravir - First 2 injections given 1 month apart, then 1 injection every 2 months.
  • PrEP Effectiveness:
    • Truvada - >99% effective in cis-gender men-who-have-sex-with-men (MSM); lower rates of effectiveness in people with vaginas and people who inject drugs (PWID).
    • 2-1-1 Truvada - 86% effective
    • Descovy - >99% effective
    • Long-acting Injectable Cabotegravir - More effective than daily pills.
  • Who should use PrEP?
    • Truvada - Everyone
    • 2-1-1 Truvada - Gay & bisexual cismen; not recommended for ciswomen or transgender people.
    • Descovy - Gay & bisexual cismen and transwomen; not recommended for ciswomen & transmen.
    • Long-acting Injectable Cabotegravir - Everyone
  • Side effects:
    • Truvada has very low rates of side effects. May have “start-up” symptoms (diarrhea, nausea, & vomiting) which usually resolve in the 1st month of PrEP use.
    • 2-1-1 Truvada side effects are the same as daily Truvada. If using PrEP 2-1-1 & taking less than four pills per week, these side effects may be even less likely.
    • Descovy has very low rates of side effects. May have “start-up” symptoms (diarrhea, nausea, & vomiting) which usually resolve in the 1st month of PrEP use.
    • The most common side effects of long acting cabotegravir injections are pain, redness & swelling at the site of injection.
  • Does insurance cover the cost of PrEP? Most insurance plans, including Medicaid, cover the cost of PrEP. Co-pays and/or deductibles may still apply. When choosing a PrEP provider, it is important to find someone who is in-network with your insurance plan.
  • Patient Assistance: There are payment assistance programs that you may qualify for that provide PrEP at low or no cost. Contact Public Health Institute at Denver Health’s Linkage to Care Team at 303-602-3652 for more information.
  • For more information regarding PrEP, please view our printable PrEP Medication Patient Comparison Handout.

PrEP Patient Assistance Programs

  • Proof of a Medicaid denial may be required for some patient assistance programs. To enroll in Medicaid, you can apply online at Health First Colorado or call 1-800-359-1991. For additional assistance, please visit Denver Health Enrollment Services or call 303-602-2300.
  • Below are the patient assistance programs that you may qualify for that provide PrEP at low or no cost:
PHIP (Public Health Intervention Program) is a program offered by the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment. PHIP covers costs related to your PrEP medical visits which may include office visits, labs, testing, and treatment. Depending on PHIP eligibility additional requirements may apply. PHIP requires annual enrollment. 303-692-2716
Gilead's Advancing Access program covers the cost of name brand Truvada and Descovy for PrEP while uninsured at participating pharmacies. Gilead Advancing Access requires annual enrollment. 1-800-226-2056
Gilead's Co-Pay Card may cover up to $7,200 in copays a year towards the cost of name brand Truvada and Descovy for PrEP while commercially insured. 1-877-505-6986
Ready, Set, PrEP program covers the cost of name brand Truvada and Descovy for PrEP while uninsured at participating pharmacies. Ready, Set, PrEP requires annual enrollment. 1-855-447-8410
ViiV Connect program covers the cost of name brand Apretude for PrEP while uninsured. ViiV Connect requires annual enrollment. 1-844-588-3288
Apretude Savings program may cover up to $7,500 a year towards out of pocket costs of name brand Apretude for PrEP; including deductibles, co-pays, coinsurance, while commercially insured. Does not cover office-visit fees. 1-844-588-3288

PEP Facts

  • How To Take: PEP must begin within 72 hours of exposure. After this time HIV infection is established and cannot be prevented. Treatment should continue for four weeks. It involves taking multiple medicines, once or twice a day.
  • PEP Effectiveness: When taken as soon as possible after an exposure, PEP may be up to 80% effective at reducing your chance of getting HIV. Taking PEP does not guarantee that someone exposed to HIV will not get the virus. Missing a dose may reduce PEP’s ability to prevent HIV.
  • Who should use PEP? PEP should be used by anyone who thinks they have been exposed to HIV. People may be exposed to HIV in many ways:
    • On the job, such as through an accidental needle stick
    • From sexual assault
    • During condomless sex
    • Sharing needles used for injecting drugs
    Individuals who have experienced repeated HIV exposures outside of a health care setting should consider HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). PrEP is an effective prevention option that reduces the risk of getting HIV.
  • Side Effects: The most common side effects from PEP medications are nausea, headaches, fatigue, vomiting and diarrhea. These can be treated and are not life-threatening.
  • Does insurance cover the cost of PEP? Most insurance plans, including Medicaid, cover the cost of PEP. Co-pays and/or deductibles may still apply.
  • Patient Assistance: Medication assistance coordinators are available to assist with enrolling in patient assistance programs that you may qualify for that provide PEP at low or no cost.

Testing in the Community

Our Community-based Sexual Health team provides free, confidential STD/STI, HIV, and hepatitis C testing in a supportive and welcoming environment. We prioritize individual needs, fostering open and respectful communication to help you make informed decisions about your sexual health. Our services are offered in English and Spanish, and convenient testing locations throughout the Denver metro area are available by appointment or walk-in.



Starting HIV Care in Denver

Linkage to Care offers free, expert, and confidential support and information to access medical care and other support services for people living with HIV. Our caring and expert team helps people living with HIV get access to medical care and support services, including those who:



Iniciando el tratamiento para el VIH en Denver

Nuestro equipo de Linkage to Care (“Conexión con los Cuidados”) ofrece información y apoyo gratuito, experto y confidencial para que las personas que están viviendo con el VIH tengan acceso a cuidados médicos y otros servicios de apoyo. Las personas a quienes ofrecemos servicios incluyen aquellas:



New Hep C treatment is short, easy and highly effective.

Hepatitis C is a serious liver infection that can result in long-term health problems, even death. However, with new hep C treatments available that are short, easy and highly effective, it is curable.



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