It’s the final frontier of America and is known around the world for its resplendent beauty. Juneau sits at the foot Mt. Roberts and is surrounded by the creature comforts of modern life as well as magnificent nature. The Alaskan capital is home to 32,756 residents,1 what would most often be the population a mid-size town in the mainland US. However, this part of the country continues to see an increase of certain sexually transmitted diseases, like HIV, gonorrhea and primary and secondary syphilis.2
Getting tested and treated is a simple step to take to lower these rates. Scheduling an appointment with your primary care doctor for STD testing can mean waiting weeks before you get in, and the waiting room at a free clinic can be crowded and overwhelming. STDtest.com provides a different alternative, more tailored to your personal schedule. Read on to learn more.
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Make life simpler in this picturesque part of America by understanding the facts and risks associated with sexually transmitted diseases as well as how to get tested and treated for these commonly reported conditions. One of the most common STD symptoms is for these infections to present with no symptoms at all, making it even easier to pass them from one partner to another without either one knowing. Getting tested could make the difference between getting treated or even cured (in the instance of chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis and trichomoniasis), or could leave you vulnerable with an untreated STI, which can result in more serious medical issues.3
While some sexually transmitted diseases have a cure, those that do not can be treated with a regimen that greatly improves the patient’s quality of life. For example, individuals who test positive with HIV and are linked to antiretroviral therapy (ART) set themselves up for a greater chance of having viral load suppression, which means a healthier, happier life. However, without the proper diagnosis and link to care, the medical consequences of this virus can be very severe, and can transition to full-blown AIDS.
In Juneau and the greater Southeast region of Alaska (the metropolitan statistical area the capital city is incorporated into), the number of HIV cases saw an increase from 1 to 3 new cases of HIV, which considering the size of the population of this rural section of the country, any increase is of note. The most commonly reported sexually transmitted disease in the Southeast region of Alaska, including Juneau, is chlamydia. After 5.1% increase between 2012 and 2013, the number of infections stabilized in 2014 with 512 infections, compared to 513 reported the year before.2
One STD on the rise in the Juneau and Southeast region is gonorrhea, which saw reports of 18 new infections in 2013 compared to 24 in 2014, constituting a 25% increase. 2014 represents the highest number of new infections reported for the years 2010-2014. The number of primary and secondary syphilis continues to greatly increase in this area. In 2010, only 7 new cases were reported in this metropolitan statistical area, compared to 40 new cases reported in 2014. Syphilis can lead to serious medical consequences if left untreated, which makes it even more important for anyone at risk for sexually transmitted diseases to get tested so they can receive the treatment they need. Syphilis can be cured with the right treatment, but left undiagnosed, it can lead to ocular syphilis (syphilis bacteria in the eye), neurosyphilis (syphilis bacteria in the brain) or congenital syphilis, a very serious infection passed from mother to child that can cause severe health issues for the baby.2,5&6
Sexual education in Juneau and the far reaches of the Southeast district, as mandated by the state of Alaska, takes a less than comprehensive approach. According to Alaska House Bill 156, the call to action is for parents to have more control over sexual education, and calls for a greater restriction of topics covered in a school setting. In reports released by the Alaska Department of Education, an evaluation of Juneau-area health teachers and the topics they cover, the numbers surrounding sexual education topics were revealing. In evaluating lead health teachers, administrators reported that human sexuality was covered in 10.7% of the total classrooms evaluated. HIV and STD prevention was covered in 10.7% of classrooms as well. Topics that saw higher coverage in the report were infectious disease prevention (flu) with 32.1%, suicide prevention with 61% and tobacco use prevention with 21.4%.7&8
Limiting the discussion about topics around human sexuality, such as the methods of STD, HIV/AIDS and teen pregnancy prevention, can lead to confusion and a lack of confidence for young people when it comes to making healthy decisions. Having all of the facts can help to take away the perceived stigma or shame involved with STD testing. According to the CDC, one of the main reasons adolescents report a disproportionate number of STDs all across the United States is because they are, “reluctant to disclose risk behaviors to doctors.”9
Year over year, the population of Juneau continues to grow, which can naturally lead to an increase of diseases dealing with communal health. The majority of Juneau’s population (69.7%) is white, and 76.5% of the population is over 18. The next most populous racial/ethnic group in the area is the American Indian/Alaskan native population, accounting for 11.8% of the Juneau demographic composition. One racial/ethnic group with a population percentage of less than one percent is African Americans, accounting for .9% of the total population in the Alaskan borough of Juneau.1.
Juneau’s population is far smaller and less diverse than the majority of major metropolitan hubs on the mainland, however, many STD trends present similar patterns across the country, irrelevant of population size and composition. In fact, regardless of population size, Alaska ranks number one in the nation for the highest rates of chlamydia across the country. Typically, women are diagnosed with higher numbers of chlamydia infections compared to men. Gonorrhea traditionally sees higher rates of infection in men, or nearly equal infection rates between men and women, depending on the population in question. Regarding syphilis (all stages – primary, secondary and tertiary), typically far higher numbers are reported in men compared to women.
Why not spend more of your free time engaged in what you most enjoy, like a leisurely day with family and friends whale watching along the Gastineau Channel, rather than feeling overwhelmed by the stress of your unknown STD status? Getting started with STDtest.com is simple. You’ll begin by answering a few brief questions online or by phone to receive your personal doctor recommendation of tests. Then, you can either choose a lab or, if available in your area, the lab can come to you. If you choose a lab, you’ll select from a nationwide network of thousands for a short visit (usually 30 minutes or less), no appointment needed. If you would like the lab to come to you, a Lab Collection Specialist is available usually within an hours’ notice to arrive at your location of choice to collect your blood or urine sample.
For both options, test results are usually available in three business days or less. Afterwards, the medical team is available for follow up to discuss your diagnosis, answer any remaining questions and even to prescribe treatment, if medically appropriate and if allowed by state law. Get tested. It’s for your better health.