April is STD Awareness Month. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, rates of syphilis, chlamydia, and gonorrhea have been on the rise for the first time in over 10 years. In college students in particular, about one in four have reported to have an STD. This year, the CDC has launched a "Talk. Test. Treat." campaign. The of campaign encourages conversation about STDs between health care providers and patients, as well as individual partners. By providing resources and education, the goal is to reduce rates of preventable STDs. Each week of the month will focus on a different portion of "Talk. Test. Treat." slogan.
So what exactly is and STD, and who should get tested? Sexually transmitted diseases, sometimes referred to as sexually transmitted infections, are generally passed from person to person via bodily fluids exchanged during sexual contact. Some STDs, such as Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) and Herpes simplex, may be transferred by skin to skin contact during sexual contact. Nonsexual transmission may occur during childbirth, blood transfusion, or due to sharing needles. Anyone who has had sex, regardless of sexual orientation, gender, number of sexual partners, and/or relationship status should get tested. Many STDs do not exhibit any symptoms and left without treatment, they can cause preventable problems down the line.
In addition to testing and treatment, male and female latex condoms can be used to lessen the risk STD transmission. Although less commonly used, female condoms have been shown to protect against some skin to skin contact STDs better than male condoms. Vaccines, such as Gardasil, can also help to protect against some strains of HPV. Most health care providers recommend getting Gardasil, and other vaccines like it, before becoming sexually active. However, the vaccine can still be received after the fact, even if a person already has a strain of HPV. Although no form of protection, aside from abstinence, is 100 percent effective at preventing STDs, they do significantly reduce a person's risk of exposure.
The point of STD Awareness month is not to shame or discourage people from engaging in sexual activity. On the contrary, it emphasizes the importance of safe and consensual sex. Talking with your partners, getting testing, and seeking treatment, if necessary, allows for enjoyable and healthy sex. In order to learn more about STD Awareness, events related to the month, and health resources, you can visit the CDC's website.
