[Archived] Teens: Get Talking and Get Tested!

Teen Wellness Center Offers Free and Confidential Services for "Get Yourself Tested" Month

Did you know the following facts about Chlamydia?

• It is a common sexually transmitted disease (STD) which can damage reproductive organs
• The highest rate of Chlamydia among persons aged 10 to 24 in Northern Virginia last year (2010) was in the City of Alexandria
• Most people who have Chlamydia do not know they have it
• There are ways to protect yourself from Chlamydia… and there are tests and treatment for it

April is officially “Get Yourself Tested” (GYT) Month at the Teen Wellness Center, located at 3330 King Street on the campus of TC Williams High School. The GYT Campaign runs every weekday from April 4 to April 29 – during April there will be “Lunch Block Testing” for STDs, such as Chlamydia,  Monday-Friday, 11:30 am-1:30 pm. This will allow you to get in, get tested, and get out. No appointment is required.

For these free and confidential services, you must be 12 to 19 years old and live in the City of Alexandria. You do not need to be a TC Williams student to come to the Teen Wellness Center (enter the Center from the King Street side of the building). The Wellness Center's regular hours will still be Monday-Friday, 10:00 am-5:00 pm. The Center will also be open during Spring Break, April 18-22. (Let your friends know about this!)

To learn more about the GYT Campaign go to www.gytnow.org. For questions about Getting Yourself Tested or the Teen Wellness Center, contact Andria Smith at 703.746.4935 or email andria.smith@vdh.virginia.gov.