Home to over one and a half million people1, Philadelphia is a former industrial hub that is taking center stage as a city with hip appeal. Coffee culture and celebrity chefs abound in the City of Brotherly love, and together with world-famous cheesesteak sandwiches, this makes Philly a foodie heaven. As Philadelphia continues to transition and grow, the rates of STDs have seen significant changes over the past few years as well. After a peak year for HIV, chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis in 2012, STD rates are trending downward according to 2014 data reported by the City of Philadelphia Department of Public Health.2
Getting tested to improve sexual health is an important step in continuing the reported downward trends in the area. Free clinics open to the public can have unpredictable wait times, and it often can take weeks to get into the primary care doctor’s office to request a panel. There is a simple, secure and affordable option available that decreases wait time and focuses on exceptional, individualized patient care. STDTest.com could be the right fit for your preventive screening and testing needs. Read on to learn more.
The roots of American history run deep in Philadelphia. There are plenty of sites for tourists and locals alike to enjoy, including Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell and plenty of other locations for history buffs. Another type of freedom to experience in Philadelphia is the liberating feeling of knowing your sexual health status. Young people are not the only ones at risk for contracting STDs in the Philadelphia area. Chronic hepatitis C numbers are on the rise, with 2,138 new cases reported in 2014. The most common age demographic for diagnosis was over men over the age of 45. According to the CDC, anyone born from 1945-1965 is recommended for screening if they haven’t already. There are multiple reasons, stemming back to inadequate screening of blood products prior to the late 80s and early 90s.3
If anyone at any age is at risk for a sexually transmitted disease, getting tested is crucial. Getting started is simple. To get a doctor-recommended panel of tests, all that’s required is answering a few quick questions. Same-day testing without an appointment is available at thousands of locations across the country. Excellent care, confidentiality, convenience and affordability come together for an optimum STD testing experience at STDTest.com
Even though 2014 data reveals a downward trend in the reporting of STDs, the rate is just starting to lower down to levels seen before a spike that peaked in 2012, according to the Disease Control Division of the Philadelphia Department of Public Health.
The government report points to 18,935 new infections of chlamydia reported in 2014, down from 19,570 in 2013. The highest number reported in the past decade was seen in 2012 with a total of 20,803 new infections. Aligning with national trends, chlamydia is the most widely reported sexually transmitted disease in Philadelphia County. Following closely behind is gonorrhea, with 5,961 new infections in 2014, down slightly from 2013 reports of 6,303 reports.3 Both chlamydia and gonorrhea can be screened for with a urine test.
The number of new HIV infections in Philadelphia amounted to 674 in 2014. In 2013, 730 cases were reported, up from 675 cases in 2011. In total, 7,984 people living with HIV and 22,670 people living with AIDS in the greater Philadelphia area.4 Another common sexually transmitted disease detected by blood test is syphilis, and Philly saw 894 total cases (primary and secondary, early latent, late latent, tertiary and congenital) in 2014 as compared to 962 in 2013. The number cases of acute hepatitis B and C were relatively minute in comparison to the reports of other STIs in the area. Hepatitis B reports came in at about 7 cases in 2014. Hepatitis C reports determined 10 new cases for the 2014 year.
According to a report from the Guttmacher Institute profiling common sexual education practices nationwide, Pennsylvania does mandate HIV education, but does not mandate general sexual education.The Pennsylvania Department of Education stresses that any HIV education administered must be age appropriate. Parents must receive notice of HIV education in class and retain the right to opt out.5
Mandatory HIV education is an important step, but without comprehensive sexual education, the Philadelphia County area is vulnerable to issues that arise in gaps in knowledge for the youth in the area. In Philadelphia, the most affected demographic of new infections is age 15-24, so it’s reasonable to suggest that additional sexual education could make the difference in lowering the rates among this portion of the population. Common sexually transmitted diseases like chlamydia and gonorrhea present without symptoms the majority of the time, so getting tested becomes even more important, especially for those who are at risk. If you have been exposed to an STD, have never been tested before and are sexually active, or if you are concerned you might have symptoms, getting tested can be convenient, affordable and confidential.
Getting the younger citizens of Philadelphia informed about their healthcare options is paramount for the continued slowing of the spread of STDs. Young teenagers are encouraged to take advantage of helpful public health services, and anyone 18 years or older should get tested for STDs to confirm their status, negative or positive.
When it comes to the most commonly reported STDs in Philadelphia, the section of the city affected almost entirely across the board is North Philly. In regards to chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis, 9,510, 2,902 and 138 new infections arose in this area, respectively. This distribution informs to the larger demographic breakdown of reported STDs in the county. In the case of chlamydia, it accounts for more than half of the entire cases reported for the year.3
Respective of the 18,935 chlamydia cases reported in Philadelphia in 2014, females age 15-24 are the most affected, accounting for 8,663 infections, according to the Philadelphia Department of Public health. Of the 5,952 cases of gonorrhea documented in 2014, the largest demographic distribution age group was males age 20-34, with 2,142 new infections. In regards to primary and secondary (P&S) syphilis cases, the largest age group affected were 25-34 year olds with 109 out of 332 reported infections.3
The HIV demographic information of Philadelphia County is consistent with trends around the country. African American men account for 74.1% of all new HIV infections, according to the AIDS Activities Coordinating Office Surveillance report. The next subsequent group affected is the Hispanic population with 12%, followed by Caucasians with 10.5% of all new infections reported.4
In Philadelphia County, even though public sexual education is limited, there are plenty of private agencies with additional information on how to improve sexual health, which is especially helpful in communities that are adversely affected like North Philly. Getting tested is a significant step in improving the sexual health of any community. You can visit a free clinic, or you can choose an option that works better for your schedule that provides an exemplary standard of care. Answering a few quick questions gets you one step closer to getting informed about your sexual health.
In Philadelphia, a clean bill of sexual health important for better peace of mind. No matter what your status, getting tested and treated for STDs can be a stressful event and we’re here to make the process easier. To get started, all you need to do is answer a few simple questions to receive the STD tests recommended for you by our team of doctors. There are different testing options that allow you to get tested at home, work, a lab or another convenient location of your choice. You will be notified of your test results in usually three business days or less. Our medical team is available to answer any questions about your diagnosis and can prescribe treatment if appropriate. Your health and peace of mind are worth it.