Temperatures can get scorching hot in Chandler, Arizona, and a great place to take refuge from the heat is along Desert Breeze Lake. Staying cool and staying safe in this small city just outside of Phoenix is important, considering that commonly reported sexually transmitted diseases like chlamydia, gonorrhea and primary and secondary syphilis are on the rise, according to reports from the Arizona Department of Health Services.1
Getting tested and treated, when medically appropriate, is a smart and effective way to lower the rate of STDs in Chandler and the greater Maricopa County area. Scheduling an appointment at the doctor’s office can often mean waiting weeks before you get in, and the waiting room at a free clinic can potentially crowded and overwhelming. STDtest.com offers a different alternative that is convenient, discreet, affordable and tailored to your personal schedule. Read on to learn more.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Chandler is home to over 260,000 residents and the greater Maricopa County, of which Chandler is apart, welcomes over 4.1 million people.2 In this part of the country, large counties like Maricopa and Pima account for the majority (64.4%) of all reported sexually transmitted diseases as of 2014. In fact, Maricopa County, home to Chandler, Phoenix and a host of other surrounding cities, ranks as the 7th highest county in the nation for the number of gonorrhea cases.1
Bacterial infections like gonorrhea, chlamydia, trichomoniasis and syphilis can be cured with the CDC-recommended course of antibiotics, however, a patient needs a diagnosis before they can receive treatment. Even STDs that do not currently have a cure, like HIV/AIDS, certain forms of viral hepatitis and genital herpes, can be managed safely for a higher quality of life with the proper antiviral treatment. Again, without a diagnosis, it is extremely difficult to get linked to the right, or potentially even life-saving, treatment. 3-6 Getting tested can mean either a sigh of relief or it can give you the answers you need to plan for the future. Knowing your status is only the beginning and will improve not just your sexual health, but the health of your partners and the greater community sexual health of Chandler and the greater Maricopa county area.
In Maricopa County, the average rate of new HIV infections reported from 2009 to 2013 was 11.5 cases per 100,000 residents.7 In contrast, the rate of chlamydia in 2014 in Chandler and Maricopa County was 493.5 infections per 100,000, with 19,788 new infections in 2014 compared to 19,152 reported the year before. Chlamydia is the most commonly reported sexually transmitted disease not only in Chandler and Maricopa County, but it is also the most frequently reported sexually transmitted infection all across the United States. 1.4 million new infections were reported to the Center for Disease Control as of 2014.1&8
Both gonorrhea and primary and secondary (P&S) syphilis have seen marked year-over-year increases in the Chandler and Gilbert County metropolitan statistical area, with the numbers of syphilis reportedly doubling all across the state of Arizona. In Maricopa County, this bacterial infection saw 409 new cases reported in 2014 compared to 213 the year previously. This makes for a 47.9% jump, which can potentially have serious medical consequences for the members of Chandler and Maricopa County. Though syphilis can be cured, left untreated, it can result in far more serious complications, including neurosyphilis (a syphilis infection of the brain), ocular syphilis (a syphilis infection of the eye) or congenital syphilis, an infection that can be passed from mother to child with potentially fatal repercussions. While gonorrhea is not increasing at the same rate as P&S syphilis, it saw an increase of 14.3% regarding the number of cases between 2013 and 2014.1
Sexual education is loosely defined in the state of Arizona, although pending legislature is proposing a more permanent, mandatory sexual education curriculum be instated in public schools throughout the state. That is to say, currently, no public school is required to offer sexual education classes for children ages K-12. However, it is mandated by the Arizona Department of Education that students receive HIV/AIDS education that helps to emphasize how abstinence prevents this sexually transmitted disease, as well as how the disease can be transmitted from one person to the other. However, the guidelines of this instruction strictly permit against portraying homosexuality as a “positive alternative lifestyle.” In the state of Arizona, 22.8% of all sexually transmitted diseases reported in 2014 were by people prescribing to said lifestyle (men who have sex with men), opening the door for sending mixed messages about how young people in this community can best protect themselves.1,9&10
It’s important to educate young people, because they are a group that is high risk for sexually transmitted diseases according to the CDC. The 15-24 year old age group is estimated to have 10 million of the 20 million sexually transmitted diseases in the U.S. annually. Providing young people with all of the information needed to make smart and healthy decisions when it comes to maintaining sexual health is an important way to lower STD rates not just in Chandler and across Arizona, but continued, comprehensive sexual education can help to lower the impact of sexually transmitted infections all across the United States.11&12
Situated in the Southwestern United States, Arizona is home to 21 nationally-recognized American Indian tribes, including the Maricopa, Yavapai and Hopi nations, as well as many more unique tribes with a rich history of cultural traditions. With an increased number of American Indians/Alaskan Natives in proportion to other segments of the country, Chandler and Maricopa County often see this ethnic group reporting higher numbers in comparison to other similarly-sized cities and county areas. For example, American Indians/Alaskan Natives report the highest rates of chlamydia in the state, along with African Americans.2
Age group is also an important variable in the overall distribution of sexually transmitted disease in Maricopa County and across the state of Arizona. The age group that most often reports cases of chlamydia is 15-24 years old. The age group reporting gonorrhea in the most frequent numbers is 20-29 year olds. Primary and secondary (P&S) syphilis saw 20-29 year olds report the majority of of all Arizona P&S syphilis infections in 2014. Continuing to reach out to these groups at high risk for sexually transmitted infections to encourage testing and treatment is vital for lowering the climbing rates seen in Chandler and Maricopa County.2
Don’t feel frustrated and stressed about your unknown STD status. Make more free time for what you enjoy most in Chandler, like a leisurely day with family friends at the Wild Horse Motorsports Park. Getting started with STDtest.com is simple. First, you’ll choose the tests that are right for you, then choose a local lab most convenient for you from a national network of thousands for a brief visit (usually 15 minutes or less) to collect your test samples, no appointment required.
Test results are usually available in 48 hours or less. Our medical team is available for follow up to discuss your diagnosis, answer any remaining questions you might have and even to prescribe treatment, if medically appropriate and if allowed by state law. Get tested. It’s for your better health.