With Valentine’s Day about here, what better time to get tested for sexually transmitted infections than now?
The Berrien County Health Department is reminding everyone in the community about its Sexual Health Clinic, which offers testing and treatment for the full spectrum of STIs. Department community health services supervisor Dionne Rigozzi tells us anyone who’s sexually active outside of a monogamous relationship should get tested for the illnesses every three months.
“When we meet with clients that have questions and we go through a history, we encourage all testing,” Rigozzi said. “Then this way, nothing is met. Sometimes people don’t have symptoms.”
So, what are the most common STIs in Berrien County?
“It varies. Right now, chlamydia is the highest in our county. But gonorrhea, we do HIV testing too, hepatitis C, hepatitis B. What we do is when we meet with clients that have questions and we go through a history, we encourage all testing. Then this way, nothing is missed. Sometimes people don’t have symptoms, so this is just a good way to make sure that they are checking.”
And Rigozzi says a patient can be tested for a specific illness if they wish.
“Let’s say somebody does have symptoms, we actually have a process of testing for gonorrhea and chlamydia on the spot. So if they are positive, we can test on the same day that they’re here.”
According to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, approximately 52,000 people in the state were diagnosed with one or more reportable STIs in 2024. Anyone can make an appointment with the Sexual Health Clinic by calling, and Rigozzi says the process is designed to keep the patient comfortable.
“It can be such a sensitive topic, and what I appreciate is the staff that we have here at Berrien County Health Department. The nurses and the community health workers, they just have very big hearts. Everything is confidential. There’s no judgment. The treatment and education is handled right on the spot.”
Testing done at the health department is covered by insurance, and Rigozzi says the costs are based on a patient’s income. She also notes no one is turned away due to an inability to pay.