Fremont, located in the Southeast Bay Area in Alameda County, is a dream come true for anyone who loves to venture out into nature. Settled on Lake Elizabeth, locals and tourists alike are drawn to the natural wonders of Coyote Hills National Park, Mission Peak and Fremont Central Park. While some sexually transmitted diseases like chlamydia and gonorrhea are on the rise in the greater Alameda County, Fremont health authorities also report some of the lowest recorded numbers county-wide.1 To keep this trend progressing downward, it’s important for individuals at risk to get tested for STDs regularly. If you aren’t sure about visiting a free clinic or feeling hesitant about getting tested at your primary care doctor’s office, STDtest.com offers a fast, convenient and affordable option. Read on to learn more.
The city of Fremont is home to nearly 229,000 residents, and the greater Alameda County area counts over 1.6 million people in its reaches, including all residents of Oakland and Berkeley.2 This community on the East Bay currently ranks 4th in the state for the number of total reported AIDS cases, following Los Angeles, San Francisco and San Diego, according to HIV/AIDS surveillance reports released by the California Department of Public Health. In 2012, it ranked 6th in the state for metropolitan statistical reporting areas for cases of HIV.3-4
Getting tested for sexually transmitted doesn’t need to be a daunting or stressful process. Getting started with STDtest.com is simple. Start by logging on or reaching out to our dedicated team of Care Advisors, available 7 days a week from 6 AM – 10 PM CST. After answering a few brief questions regarding sexual history and symptoms, you’ll be provided with a doctor-recommended panel of STD tests. You will then be able to select a lab nearest you for test sample collection from a nationwide network of thousands. The visit typically lasts a half hour or less. You’ll be notified of your results usually within three business days or less, and our medical team will be available to answer any follow up questions and even to prescribe additional care if appropriate and allowed by state law. It’s a simple step to take control of your sexual health.
As previously mentioned, a pressing concern in Fremont and the greater Alameda County area is the continued rise of common bacterial sexually transmitted infections, namely chlamydia and gonorrhea. In 2014, 7,018 new chlamydia infections were reported compared to 6,458 the year before. From 2010-2014, the highest number and rate of new chlamydia diagnoses in Alameda County was 2010, with 7,029 instances and an infection rate of 465.4.5
Over the past several years, gonorrhea has seen a striking increase of new cases in Alameda County. The most recently reported data shows 2,279 reported cases in 2014, the highest number and rate the county area has seen since 2010. It also shows a major increase from the year before when 1,860 cases were reported to the local county government.6
Sexually transmitted diseases currently on the decline in Fremont and Alameda County are HIV and primary and secondary (P&S) syphilis. Over a three year period concluding in 2013, Fremont reported 44 total new HIV infections, making it one of the two lowest areas in the county for reported HIV infections along with Livermore. Oakland accounts for the highest number of HIV infections in Alameda County.1 Regarding syphilis cases, the number of new P&S infections from dropped from 156 to 146 between 2013 and 2014. Getting tested is an effective way to slow down the spread of sexually transmitted disease in the Fremont and Alameda County areas. 1&7
The state of California promotes a progressive, comprehensive approach to sexual education in public schools, but a recent issue in Fremont had parents questioning if the limits were pushed too far. In 2014, a petition was started by Protect Fremont Children to eliminate the use of “Your Health Today”, a textbook including curriculum topics such as masturbation and other overtly sexual subjects. After 2,000 parents signed the petition, the Fremont Unified District voted to dismiss use of the textbook, replacing it with the approved selection the year before.8
While this controversy may have tested the boundaries of sexual education in Fremont and the surrounding areas, it is still mandated by the state that children grades K-12 receive age-appropriate, medically accurate sexual education that includes instruction on the prevention of teen pregnancy, sexually transmitted disease, HIV/AIDS, contraception and most recently, lessons on sexual harassment, violence in dating relationship and consent.
In Alameda County, teenagers and young adults are the most affected demographic by sexually transmitted diseases. Young women ages 15-24 are especially vulnerable, accounting for 63.3% of all reported chlamydia cases in the area. Talking about the risks in a safe environment, getting tested and receiving treatment is imperative for encouraging the greater sexual health of young people in Fremont and beyond.
The demographic distribution of sexually transmitted diseases in Fremont and Alameda County varies, depending on a few factors. Gender disparity plays a role in reports of bacterial infections like chlamydia, gonorrhea and P&S syphilis, as well as HIV case rates. In the case of chlamydia, 62.3% of new infections were reported in females, compared to 37.6% of 7,018 total diagnoses in Alameda County. The inverse is true for gonorrhea, revealed by reporting from the California Local Health Jurisdiction. Of 2,279 total new 2014 infections, 36.9% were reported in females compared to 62.9% reported in males. Almost all primary and secondary syphilis cases are reported by the male population of Alameda county. Of 146 total instances, 133 were reported in men, compared to 13 in women.11
The racial/ethnic group most affected by the spread of sexually transmitted disease in this particular population is the African American demographic. This group accounted for nearly 18% of all total chlamydia infections and 23% of all gonorrhea infections. The white population reported the highest number tof syphilis infections via local health authorities, with 24% of all documented cases.11 When it come to infections of HIV and AIDs, typically, African Americans are the most affected demographic group.
With 1,807 total cases reported in the Alameda area in 2013, the highest risk group is commonly men who haves sex with men (MSM). 2&3 Reaching communities that are highly affected by STDs in communities or areas that are underserved is an important part of the National HIV/AIDS Strategy, so spreading the word about getting tested is key.12
Fremont residents should spend their hard-earned time on something enjoyable, like a visit to the San Jose Mission or a blissful day at the Quarry Lakes Recreational Area. STD testing can be stressful, but it doesn’t need to be. STDtest.com offers a service that focuses on superior patient care and customer service combined with convenience, in an effort to simplify the process of knowing one’s STD status.
By answering a few simple questions, you’ll receive a panel of tests tailored to your symptoms and sexual history, recommended by doctors. Next, you’ll select a test option. You can choose a local lab nearest you from a national network for test sample collection, including same-day testing with no appointment. If available in your area, you can can get tested at home, work or another convenient location with In-Home Collection that same day with only an hour’s notice.
A medical team is available for you to consult with, regardless of your test results, to answer any follow up questions. Get tested. It’s for your better health.