Worried about having a sexually transmitted disease (STD)? By testing annually for STDs at your health visit, you’ll be empowered with information to keep you healthy and take control of health problems before they become serious. Here’s information on the importance of routine testing and what you should tell your nurse practitioner before you’re screened. Why Is STD Screening Important For Me? Anyone who has unprotected sex with a partner who is not monogamous (only intimate with you) is ... [Read More]
STD
Risk Factors of STDs
There’s been a lot of information swirling around about preventing the spread of infectious diseases, particularly viruses. The COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019) pandemic has given everyone a front-row view of how respiratory infections can be passed easily from person to person. However, respiratory illnesses are not the only type of infection that can be spread throughout a population. Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are an ongoing public health problem that affects millions of ... [Read More]
The Long-Term Effects of STDs
Almost 20 million Americans contract a sexually transmitted disease (STD) each year. That statistic may or may not surprise you, but those who are afflicted with an STD – both men and women – could face dire consequences if they allow the embarrassment and stigma attached to these diseases to prevent them from seeking immediate medical help. The most common STDs include chlamydia, gonorrhea, chancroid, herpes, HIV/AIDS, and hepatitis B and C. Some of these diseases respond quickly and ... [Read More]
Talking to Your Teenager about STDs
If you are wondering when is the best time to talk about sex with your teen, the answer is “the sooner the better”. You definitely don’t want to be having this conversation while driving to the pharmacy to fill a prescription for a sexually transmitted disease (STD). The truth is that about 80% of teens are sexually active by the time they reach the age of 19 and approximately ½ of the 20 million reported cases of STDs annually are in people aged 15 to 24 years old. These reported cases include ... [Read More]
Shocking – 50% Increase in Syphilis in 2016!
What comes to mind when you hear the term STD? Typically, you may think of HIV and AIDS or diseases that cause painful burning or discharge. Syphilis is probably not at the forefront of your mind when you think about sexually transmitted diseases in 2017. However, it really should be, as there has been an alarming increase in syphilis cases over the last several years – especially in men. What Is Syphilis? Syphilis is a highly contagious disease caused by the bacteria Treponema pallidum and ... [Read More]
