Take Pride Now

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Take Pride in Your Sexual Health

Prioritize your sexual health by practicing safer sex practices, learning more about sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and how to prevent them, getting tested, and getting vaccinated against mpox, if eligible.

                                                                         Spanish version of this page

While cases of mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) have declined in North Carolina, the outbreak is not over in the U.S. or globally as shown by a recent resurgence of mpox cases in Chicago, Illinois. Data suggest that gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men continue to make up the majority of new mpox cases.

Vaccination remains a crucial tool for reducing risk of transmission and disease severity. Anyone who is at higher risk and not yet vaccinated should contact a vaccine provider and get vaccinated as soon as possible. If you have any suspicious rashes, contact a healthcare provider immediately to have them checked.  Familiarize yourself with the signs and symptoms of mpox.

Take PRIDE in Your Sexual Health: Prioritize your sexual health by practicing safer sex practices, learning more about sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and how to prevent them, getting tested, and getting vaccinated against mpox, if eligible. Left untreated, STIs can lead to increased risk of HIV transmission, long-term pelvic/abdominal pain, infertility, pregnancy complications and other serious health problems. Go to the CDC’s website to learn more.

TAKE part in safer sex practices. They can lower your risk of exposure to STIs, which are spread mostly by unprotected sexual contact. This includes anal, oral, vaginal, and some skin-to-skin contact.

  • Talk to your partner openly about your sexual health.
  • Use barriers such as condoms and dental dams to prevent exposure to STIs.
  • Spend time getting to know your partner(s) and their sexual health. 
  • Talk to a healthcare provider about PrEP.
  • Get tested!
  • Get vaccinated against mpox.
  • Talk to a healthcare provider about other vaccines that may be recommended for you.

PRIDE yourself in prioritizing your sexual health by getting tested regularly for STIs and getting vaccinated against mpox, if eligible. North Carolina continues to ensure equitable access to vaccines through partnerships with local health departments, primary care physicians, Federally Qualified Health Centers, community health workers, and other vaccine ambassadors. Search for free and confidential testing and vaccines for yourself, your partner, or your community. Talk to your doctor or your local health department.

NOW is the time to take the first steps! If left untreated, sexually transmitted infections can lead to more health complications.

  • Visit your doctor or local health department to get tested.
  • Get vaccinated against mpox, if eligible.
  • Get any unfamiliar rash checked by a healthcare professional so treatment can begin immediately.

Testing and Vaccine Locations

Additional Resources