St. Petersburg locals know that this city isn’t just full of beachcombers, there’s an element of sophisticated culture that weaves throughout the city, with attractions including the Salvador Dali Museum and the Museum of Fine Art. In the midst of this sun-soaked city, the rates of HIV and infectious syphilis continue to climb,^1&3 making preventive efforts and timely STD testing even more important. Knowing the risks for common STIs is essential for knowing the right time to get tested. Those at risk include sexually active people who have never been tested before, anyone who has been with multiple partners in the last year, anyone who has recently engaged in unprotected sex, anyone with a STD-positive partner, and more, including high risk populations like adolescents and young adults.⁴

According to the CDC, many cases of commonly reported sexually transmitted disease go undiagnosed and untested, and therefore leading to higher risk of continued transmission in the community and lower linkage to care or in many cases, a cure.⁵ Moving past the stigma of STD testing shouldn’t be stressful. We’re here to break down the barriers to diagnostic testing, including increasing the ease and convenience of the traditional STD testing process. If you have any questions or concerns, a dedicated team of Care Advisors is available 7 days a week from 6am-10pm CT to guide you each step along the way.

STD Test Statistics in St. Petersburg, FL

Sexually transmitted diseases continue to demonstrate different rates of fluctuation in St. Petersburg and Pinellas County, and new infections of chlamydia are currently on the decline in this area as of the most recent reports circulated by the Florida Department of Health. In 2014, this county reported 3,856 new infections compared to 4,141 the year before. The chlamydia rate of infection is just below that of the state of Florida, with the county reporting 415.20 cases per 100,000 residents compared to the state number of 425.30/100,000. Gonorrhea infections are also on the decline in this metropolitan statistical area based in the Florida Keys. In 2014, 1,297 new infections were reported, compared to 1,424 in 2013 the year before. In 2012, the number of reported infections in the area totaled 1,029. The gonorrhea rate of infection in the county in 2014 totaled 139.70/100,000 compared to the Florida state average of 105.40/100,000.^6&7

Two commonly reported sexually transmitted infections on the rise in St. Petersburg and the greater Pinellas County area are infectious syphilis and HIV. From 2013 to 2014, the county saw an increase from 52 syphilis infections to 78, respectively. Pinellas County ranks 9th in the state for total number of syphilis infections and 9th in the state for rate of infections. HIV infections in this area increased from 165 reported in 2013 to 191 reported in 2014. The Florida Department of Health reports that the count ranks 7th in the state for total number of new infections. Knowing the risks, taking preventive measures, getting tested and treated when appropriate is important for lowering STD rates in this idyllic Florida county.^1&3

STD Testing and Sexual Education in St. Petersburg

Sexual education in the state of Florida historically focuses on “Abstinence-Only-Until-Marriage” or “Abstinence-Stress” programming, according to the Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States. Present-day programming in Pinellas County is still focused on presenting abstinence as the only 100% effective method of preventing unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. Schools in the county area also expected to receive health and sexual education that is age-appropriate and medically accurate. While individual schools are allowed to determine the specifics of their curriculum of specific lessons, all schools under the Florida Department of Education’s jurisdiction are required to align with the principles presented in the Next Generation Sunshine State Standards.^8-10

This somewhat tepid approach to sexual education, with an extra emphasis on abstinence and less of a discussion about the real risks of sexually transmitted disease and unintended pregnancy, and the other options for prevention that exceed the limitations of abstinence. According to the CDC, young people are one of the groups most at risk for contracting and spreading sexually transmitted diseases, and lacking the confidence or knowledge needed to get tested could be a stumbling block in the plan of an STD-free future. Many of these common infections can be treated and in the case of chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis and trichomoniasis, cured. Knowing what behaviors can lead to these diseases as well as the treatment options available is integral in the complete comprehensive sexual education of young people today.¹¹

STD Testing and Demographics in St. Petersburg

The demographic distribution of sexually transmitted diseases, focusing on the example of HIV and AIDS in Pinellas county, presents with certain discernible trends. For example, men report new HIV infections in far higher numbers than women in the area, with men accounting for 73% compared to women who comprise 27% of the new HIV infection population. The age group to report the highest number of HIV infections cumulatively through the end of 2015 is the 30-39 population, with 29% of all reported infections. The racial/ethnic demographic group attributed to the largest number of reported HIV diagnoses in this time period is the Caucasian population, with 69% of cases recorded and circulated by the Florida Department of Health.

Regarding the number of AIDS cases in Pinellas County, the trends take on a similar pattern, continuing on with a marked gap between the number of reported male and female cases, with men reporting 3,371 more AIDS infections than women. The most at-risk demographic group for AIDs is men who have sex with men (MSM). This group was diagnosed with 433 of all new infections reported to the state government through end-of-year 2015. Continuing to spread the word and reach out to populations at high risk for HIV and AIDS is an integral aim of the National HIV/AIDS Strategy, with an ultimate goal of significantly lowering new infections, linking as many positive patients as possible to care and achieving the maximum amount of viral suppression.

Your Best St. Petersburg STD Testing Option

Why not spend more time on what you enjoy in St. Petersburg, like dedicating a day with family and friends to fun at Fort de Soto Park rather than feeling stressed and consumed by worries about your sexual health status? Getting started with STDtest.com is simple, confidential and affordable. To begin, you’ll answer a brief medical survey online or by phone to determine your doctor-recommended panel of tests. You’ll then choose a testing option. You can go to a local from a national network of thousands for a brief visit (usually 30 minutes or less) to collect your test samples, no appointment needed. If available in your area, In-Home Collection offers test sample collection at home, work or anywhere you choose with only an hour’s notice.

Once your samples are collected, results are usually available within three business days or less. The medical team is available for a follow up consult to answer any questions, discuss your diagnosis and even to prescribe follow up treatment, if medically appropriate and if allowed by state law. Get tested. It’s for your better health.

References: 

1 Monthly Surveillance Report (Hepatitis, HIV/AIDS, STD and TB)
2 US Census Bureau Quick Facts – St. Petersburg and Pinellas County, FL
3 Florida Health Charts: Infectious Syphilis Cases
4 The Lowdown on How to Prevent Sexually Transmitted Diseases
5 CDC – Reported STDs in the United States 2014 National Data for Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, and Syphilis
6 Florida Health Charts: Chlamydia Cases
7 Florida Health Charts: Gonorrhea Cases
8 Sex Education in the Sunshine State
9 Pinellas County School District High School Health Education
10 Next Generation Sunshine State Standards
11 Sexually Transmitted Infections Among Young Americans
12 HIV/AIDS STATISTICS Pinellas and Pasco Counties (Area 5)
13 National HIV/AIDS Strategy