Who is at risk for sexually transmitted diseases? According to the CDC, certain populations are at higher risk for a variety of factors. Teenagers and young adults, gay, bisexual and men who have sex with men and certain racial and ethnic groups are at high-risk for these sexually transmitted infections, so periodic or yearly testing is key for keeping the STD rates of these populations under control. In addition, any sexually active person who has never been tested, anyone untested with a past encounter of unprotected sex, anyone with an STD-positive partner or anyone who might have had exposure to an STD should get tested as soon as possible. According to the CDC, all STDs can be treated and many can be cured, including chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis and trichomoniasis. However, leaving an STD undiagnosed and untreated can lead to more serious medical complications like infertility.^11&12

Maintaining your sexual health in Buffalo and the Erie County area shouldn’t be stressful. STDtest.com is a discreet and convenient process for STD testing, and with a trained support team available 24 hours and 7 days a week, you never have to feel alone. They are at the ready to answer any questions you might have and to guide you through the process, all in an effort to help you breathe a sigh of relief. Our medical team is also available to help determine a treatment plan or connect you with a local physician for follow up care, if medically appropriate. If your diagnosis is positive or negative, you’ll be well-informed for better peace of mind. That way, you have more time to enjoy more of what makes Buffalo great, like concerts at First Niagara Center.

STD Test Statistics in Buffalo, NY

The city of Buffalo makes up about 72% of the total Erie County population, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The most commonly reported sexually transmitted disease in this area is chlamydia, with 5,004 infections in Erie County in 2014. This is an increase from the year before, when 4,892 new chlamydia cases were reported to the health department. Another sexually transmitted disease with continually increasing numbers in this metropolitan statistical area in Upstate New York is gonorrhea, with 1,115 infections reported in 2014 compared to 1,057 the year before. ^2-10

Primary and secondary syphilis also continues to rise in Buffalo and throughout the greater Erie County area. In 2014, 64 new cases were reported to the New York State Department of Health, compared to 51 the previous year. The fact that the prevalence of this condition continues to rise is potentially troubling, seeing that syphilis can lead to severe medical consequences if left untreated. Those who leave this curable infection undiagnosed are vulnerable to ocular syphilis (syphilis infection of the eye), neurosyphilis (syphilis infection of the brain) or congenital syphilis, an infection passed from mother to child that can result in infant death.^4,8,10&13 One sexually transmitted infection currently declining in Buffalo and Erie County is the prevalence of HIV. 123 new infections were reported in 2013, compared to 105 in 2014. In 2012, 98 infections were reported.^5,9&10

STD Testing and Sexual Education in Buffalo, NY

The health education standards, as outlined by the New York State Department of Education, calls for age-appropriate, medically-accurate, comprehensive sexual education. Comprehensive sexual education calls for a discussion on a wide variety of topics relating to better sexual health, including the roles that abstinence as well as contraceptives (birth control and condoms, etc) play in helping to avoid sexually transmitted disease, HIV/AIDS and unintended pregnancy. Another measure of individual schools meeting the standards for health and sexual education is the state is further instruction on healthy decision-making and emphasis on self-care, in an effort to help students steer clear of risky behavior.¹⁴

This comprehensive approach is a great way to start the important dialogue between students, educators, parents and mentors about what to do when sexual health does get compromised. In an explanation of the factors that make adolescents and young people so vulnerable to sexually transmitted infections, “Confidentiality Concerns” ranks high on the list. Meaning, young people are often fearful of disclosing their sexual actions to a medical professional, even if it could mean getting tested and treated. More open conversation helps to remove the stigma, which hopefully encourages adolescents and young adults to take the actions to receive the healthcare they need.¹²

STD Testing and Demographics in Buffalo

Age plays a significant role in the demographic distribution of sexually transmitted diseases in Buffalo, Erie County and all throughout New York state. In New York state (excluding New York City), the 20-29 year-old age group reported the highest number of chlamydia infections, followed by the 15-19 age group. The age group with the highest number of reported gonorrhea cases in this area are 20-29 years old. The age group with the highest number of reported early syphilis infections according to reports released by the Erie County, NY Department of Public Health are 20-29 year olds. HIV infections are predominantly reported by individuals aged 20-29.

When it comes to HIV, getting linked to care, especially antiretroviral therapy (ART) can make a huge improvement in the quality of life. Patients who are provided with this medical regimen stand a far higher chance of the viral load lowering to the point of suppression in their system. This means that, when tested, the disease is barely detectable in their system, and their chances of transmitting the virus are also lower as well. In New York state (excluding New York City), 83% of cases diagnosed have been linked to care within 3 months of being diagnosed and 63% of those in this statistical area appear virally suppressed when tested. This is a stride toward the overall goal of 90-90-90 (90% of people positive aware of their status, 90% of HIV positive patients linked to care, 90% of patients with viral suppression), a plan proposed by the UN to slow down and eventually eradicate HIV/AIDS around the globe.

Your Best Buffalo STD Testing Option

Stress less by getting the answers you need about an unknown STD status and make more time for what you enjoy most in Buffalo, like a blissful day with family and friends hanging out Canalside. Getting started with STDtest.com is simple. Just select your testing options, then choose a local lab from a national network of thousands for a short visit (usually 15 minutes or less) to collect your test samples, no appointment needed.

Test results are usually available in under 48 hours. Our medical team is available for follow up to discuss your diagnosis, to answer any remaining questions or even to prescribe treatment, if medically accurate and if allowed by state law. Get tested. It’s for your better health.

References:

1 U.S. Census Bureau Quick Facts – Buffalo and Erie County New York
2 Reported Cases by Disease and County: Chlamydia 2012
3 Reported Cases by Disease and County: Gonorrhea 2012
4 Reported Cases by Disease and County: P&S Syphilis 2012
5 Reported Cases by Disease and County: HIV 2012
6 Reported Cases by Disease and County: Chlamydia 2013
7 Reported Cases by Disease and County: Gonorrhea 2013
8 Reported Cases by Disease and County: P&S Syphilis 2013
9 Reported Cases by Disease and County: HIV 2013
10 Communicable Disease in New York State Cases Reported in 2014
11 The Lowdown on How to Prevent STDs
12 Sexually Transmitted Infections Among Young Americans
13 CDC – Syphilis Fact Sheet
14 A Guidance Document For Achieving the New York State Standards In Health Education
15 Communicable Disease in New York State Exclusive of New York City Cases Reported in 2014 by Age Group
16 HIV Care in New York State, 2013: Linkage, Retention and Viral Suppression Among Persons Residing in New York State
17 90-90-90 An ambitious treatment target to help end the AIDS epidemic