By Cynthia Grau/WJEZ News

Even though Saturday is National HIV Testing Day, the Livingston County Health Department isn’t directly recognizing the day.

Linda Rhodes, health education director for the health department, said they don’t put as much emphasis in the day because they offer the same testing Monday through Thursday year-around.

Rhodes said while HIV is a concern, the number of Chlamydia and gonorrhea cases have become much larger in the county. She said all STD testing could be done confidentially through the health department.

“I think it’s great there’s some awareness that HIV is still a problem and it’s a problem in small communities, as well as large communities,” Rhodes said. “Also, everyone needs to know that’s not the only problem. Chlamydia and gonorrhea rates really need to be brought down. They lead to health problems, especially in our female population. We’d really like to see everyone get screened.”

For more information or to make an appointment, contact the health department at 815-844-7174.