STD Awareness Month

There are nearly 19 million new cases of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) in the U.S. each year, but obvious symptoms often don’t develop and many people who contract an STD are unaware they and there partners are at risk. With this in mind the American Social Health Association (ASHA) and National Coalition of STD Directors (NCSD) recognize April as National STD Awareness Month, and emphasize testing as a key component for sexual health.
"We encourage anyone who is sexually active to discuss testing for HIV and other STDs with their health care provider, even if they have no symptoms" says ASHA president and CEO Lynn B. Barclay, who explains that the most commonly reported bacterial STD, chlamydia, often doesn’t cause symptoms in women (and sometimes men) but when undetected in women the infection can spread to the uterus or fallopian tubes and cause Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID). If untreated, PID can lead to chronic pelvic pain and infertility.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends routine chlamydia testing for women under age 26, and for women who are pregnant or have new or multiple partners. CDC also recommends routine HIV testing for those ages 13-64. While not a test for STDs, women should also have regular Pap tests.
In addition to testing, Don Clark, Executive Director of NCSD encourages partners to talk about sexual health, and this includes discussing safer sex practices such as condom use. "Condoms have proven value in reducing transmission of chlamydia, HIV, and other STDs," Clark says, and notes that condom use is also associated with lower incidence of cervical cancer.
While STDs are common across all groups, young people are hit especially hard: Approximately half of all new STDs occur in youth ages 15-24 and a recent study presented by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicates that 1 in 4 girls and young women between the ages of 14 and 19 have at least one of the more common STDs .
General Health in Hopkins, Missouri encourages you to contact your healthcare professional with any questions or concerns regarding STD or STI. General Health Clinic welcomes most major insurances along with Medicare and Medicaid. Payments by cash, credit cards, and debit cards are accepted. The clinic is located at the junction of highways 148 and JJ in Hopkins, Missouri. Appointments can be made by calling 660-778-3209.
Source: http://www.ashastd.org/news/news_pressreleases_STDAwarenessMonth2008.cfm