If you live in Lee County, Florida, the data on sexually transmitted infections is sobering — and worth understanding. STI rates in Lee County, Florida have been trending upward for several years, mirroring a statewide and national pattern of rising infections that public health officials have described as a crisis.
Understanding why STI rates are elevated in our region — and more importantly, what you can do to protect yourself — is exactly the kind of conversation Florida Infectious Disease Care is built for. Our board-certified specialists in Fort Myers offer comprehensive STI testing, treatment, and prevention for the entire Southwest Florida community, without judgment and without barriers.
The Numbers: STI Rates in Lee County Florida
Lee County consistently appears among the highest-burden counties in Florida for gonorrhea, chlamydia, and syphilis. According to surveillance data from the Florida Department of Health, Florida as a whole ranks in the top five states nationally for several STI categories. Within Florida, Lee County — home to Fort Myers and Cape Coral — reports rates that frequently exceed both state and national averages.
The scale of the problem is significant. Chlamydia remains the most commonly reported infectious disease in the county. Gonorrhea rates have surged in recent years, complicated by growing antibiotic resistance. Syphilis — a disease that was once nearly eliminated in the U.S. — has made a dramatic resurgence, including cases of congenital syphilis transmitted from mother to newborn.
Why Are STI Rates So High in Lee County?
Several interconnected factors drive elevated STI rates in Southwest Florida. Understanding them helps explain why the problem persists — and points toward solutions.
Population Growth and Tourism
Fort Myers and the surrounding area experience rapid population growth and high levels of tourism year-round. A large, transient population with diverse sexual networks increases the speed at which STIs can spread through a community. Seasonal residents and visitors may bring infections from other high-prevalence areas or acquire them locally and carry them elsewhere.
Gaps in Testing and Awareness
A significant portion of STIs in Lee County — as nationally — go undiagnosed because many infections cause no symptoms. Chlamydia, for example, is asymptomatic in approximately 70 percent of women and 50 percent of men who are infected. Without routine testing, these infections spread silently through sexual networks for months or years.
Additionally, many residents do not have a regular healthcare provider, lack awareness of their STI risk, or face stigma and embarrassment that prevents them from seeking testing. This is a community-level gap that requires accessible, judgment-free care — exactly what Florida Infectious Disease Care provides.
Declining Condom Use
National and state data consistently show declining condom use, particularly among younger adults and in populations using PrEP for HIV prevention. While PrEP effectively prevents HIV, it offers no protection against bacterial STIs. This shift in behavior — without a corresponding increase in STI testing frequency — directly contributes to rising infection rates.
Social Determinants of Health
Areas with higher rates of poverty, housing instability, and limited access to healthcare tend to have higher STI rates. Parts of Lee County face these challenges, creating populations where STI prevention and treatment services are most needed but least accessible. Addressing STI rates in our region requires meeting patients where they are — with accessible, affordable, and welcoming care.
The Most Common STIs in Lee County Florida
Chlamydia
Chlamydia is the most frequently diagnosed STI in Lee County. It is caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis and is transmitted through vaginal, anal, or oral sex. Most infections are asymptomatic. Untreated chlamydia can cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) in women, leading to chronic pelvic pain and infertility. It is easily treated with a short course of antibiotics when detected.
Gonorrhea
Gonorrhea rates in Lee County have risen sharply. Increasingly, gonorrhea strains are developing resistance to the antibiotics previously used to treat them — a trend that the CDC identifies as an urgent public health threat. This means treatment now requires specific injectable antibiotics, and follow-up testing to confirm cure is essential.
Syphilis
This bacterial infection has re-emerged across Florida in alarming numbers. Primary syphilis presents as a painless sore (chancre) that heals on its own — often leading patients to assume the problem resolved. However, untreated syphilis progresses through secondary, latent, and tertiary stages over years, eventually causing serious damage to the heart, brain, and nervous system. Congenital syphilis — passed from a pregnant woman to her baby — has reached its highest levels in decades nationally.
What Can You Do to Protect Yourself?
The good news is that every one of the most common STIs in Lee County is either preventable, curable, or highly manageable with early diagnosis and proper treatment. Here is what you can do:
- Get tested regularly — at least annually if sexually active, every 3 months if you have multiple partners or are on PrEP
- Use condoms consistently and correctly for vaginal and anal sex
- Consider PrEP if you are HIV-negative and at higher risk of HIV
- Ask about Doxy-PrEP if you have had prior bacterial STIs and qualify for this prevention strategy
- Know your partner’s testing status — and have an open conversation about sexual health before new encounters
- Seek treatment immediately if you test positive — and notify partners so they can be tested too
Our team offers the full range of STI prevention services, including PrEP, PEP, and Doxy-PrEP for eligible patients. We also provide comprehensive STI testing and treatment through our general infectious disease services.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How often should I get tested for STIs in Lee County?
The CDC recommends annual STI testing for all sexually active adults under 25, and for older adults with multiple partners or inconsistent condom use. If you are on PrEP, testing every three months is required as part of your care protocol. More frequent testing is never a bad idea if your risk level changes.
Q: Can I be tested for all STIs at once at Florida Infectious Disease Care?
Yes. We offer comprehensive STI panels that screen for chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, HIV, and other infections in a single visit. Your provider will recommend the most appropriate panel based on your sexual history and risk factors.
Q: If I test positive for an STI, will my partner be notified?
Partner notification is an important part of controlling STI spread. Your provider will counsel you on the importance of notifying partners. In some cases, the Florida Department of Health offers partner notification assistance. Your confidentiality as a patient is protected, but informing partners allows them to get tested and treated — breaking the chain of transmission.
Q: Are STIs always symptomatic?
No — and this is the most important fact to understand about STIs. The majority of chlamydia infections, many gonorrhea infections, early syphilis, and early HIV are completely asymptomatic. This is why testing — not symptom monitoring — is the only reliable way to know your status.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
At Florida Infectious Disease Care in Fort Myers, our board-certified specialists deliver compassionate, expert, and completely confidential care for every patient. Whether you have questions or are ready to book your first appointment, we are here for you. Call us at 239-245-8223 or visit us at 14192 Metropolis Ave, Fort Myers, FL 33912.
Schedule your appointment online at floridaidcare.com/make-an-appointment or find us on Google Maps. You deserve expert care — and we are ready when you are.