STDs: Talk, Test And Treat

Special To McDonald County Press

Many people feel uncomfortable talking about their personal lives and sexual activity, but the McDonald County Health Department encourages you to talk, test and treat. Now is a good time to be reminded it's important to talk with your sexual partners and your health care provider about sexually transmitted diseases.

STDs are becoming more common. The CDC estimates that 20 million new STD infections occur each year in the United States. Rates for chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis are all increasing, and young people between the ages of 15 -- 24 and men having sex with men are at greatest risk for infection.

TALK -- If you are going to have sex, talk with your partner first about STD prevention and protection options, including the use of condoms. Talk with your healthcare provider about your sexual history and your risk for STDs. Ask which tests are recommended for you.

TEST -- Many STDs have no symptoms, so getting tested is the only way to know for sure if you are infected. Talk to your healthcare provider or the Health Department about the tests they offer.

TREAT -- If you test positive for an STD, work with your healthcare provider or the Health Department to get the right treatment. Some STDs can be cured with medication. Those that aren't curable can still be treated. To make sure your treatment is successful, take all of the medicine prescribed to you. Encourage your partner to get treated as well, and don't have sex again until you and your partner have both completed treatment.

STDs can have immediate and long-term negative health impacts. Untreated STDs can leave a woman unable to get pregnant or cause her to have a miscarriage, a stillbirth or an ectopic pregnancy. They can also increase the risk for getting and spreading HIV.

Take action to protect your sexual health -- talk, test and treat.

Learn more by calling 417-223-7122 or by visiting www.mcdonaldcountyhealth.com.