San Antonio is famous for the Alamo and the sweeping beauty and tradition of the various missions located in the area, as well as fantastic food and dramatic river views. The pace of life is slow and steady, and the natural beauty of the area is a sight to see. Also, San Antonio has taken strides to lower their STD rates. In 2013, San Antonio was reported as having the highest rates of syphilis in the state.² According to data from the San Antonio Metropolitan Health Report, syphilis rates fell 15% for adult cases in 2014.3 The best way to decrease the number of STD cases is to take preventative action and get tested.

Especially in a county where chlamydia rates and HIV rates climbing 62%,¹ taking an STD test now more than ever is a simple way to stay proactive about sexual health. There are few public clinics and the lines can be long, and the procedure can be a little less than private. Make this worrisome process a little less stressful and time consuming with the help of STDTest.com. By going online or calling, you’re one step closer to finding the most convenient testing center for you, scheduling an appointment as soon as the same day, and quickly and safely receiving your results.

STD Test Statistics in San Antonio, TX

In San Antonio, there was a rise of 11% new HIV cases in 2013, a continuing upward trend in Bexar county. Over the past decade, the San Antonio area has seen an increased rise of STD occurrences, especially in regards to chlamydia.⁴ 2013 saw an increase of common STDs like syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia across the board, and in a positive turn of events, all three diseases saw significant decreases in 2014 according to data published by the Texas Department of State Health Services.

Even with these promising decreases, Bexar county still ranks 3rd among all other counties in the state with the highest diagnosed cases of syphilis, gonorrhea and chlamydia.⁵ The HIV and AIDS rate, similar to the other sexually transmitted diseases discussed above, saw higher numbers in 2013 and saw slight decreases in 2014, according to the data.⁶ It’s encouraging to see the improvement of STD statistics in this large metropolitan area, it’s equally as important for community members to continually get tested to increase their knowledge and decrease the spread of sexually transmitted diseases and infections.While there are new clinics that have been built by the metropolitan healthcare system, there are options available that are just a phone call away. If you’re looking for a discreet, quick service for STD testing, STDTest.com could be the best option for you.

STD Testing and Sexual Education in San Antonio

According to the 2013 Bexar County Community Health Assessment, upwards of 41.3% of teenagers report that they are sexually active.⁴ In a state where it is legally mandated to teach “Abstinence Only” sexual education, promoting sexual health among this section of the sexually active population can prove extremely challenging. In comparison to other major metropolitan areas in greater Texas, San Antonio has seen a recent drop in the number of STD cases reported due to an aggressive campaign by the San Antonio Metropolitan Health Department to get its residents tested and treated.⁷

After noticing STD rates were rising at a startling rate (about 24.6/1,000 Chlamydia cases amongst teenage girls at it’s height in 2004), the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District took action by introducing Product WORTH, a comprehensive sexual education program, facilitated by employees of the Health District, in an effort to provide information and work against the rise of STDs in San Antonio youth.⁸ With this promising effort being offered outside of school, those over 18 should feel empowered to take their health into their own hands by getting tested and treated. There are different options, and STDTest.com takes a simple approach to same-day STD test scheduling. Every result is treated with care and compassion, and doctors call all participants to discuss any questions concerning the test outcome.

STD Testing and Demographics in San Antonio

Traditionally in San Antonio, the highest rates of the population affected with STDs are within the Hispanic community. Though syphilis is currently experiencing a decline overall in the metro area, 2011 saw a spike in new cases of chlamydia, specifically affecting a large percentage of Latina women.³ This can most likely be attributed to a proximity to the Mexican border and it also aligns with the current national trend of women increasingly being affected in high numbers by chlamydia, a common infection that often presents as asymptomatic, can be cured with a round of medicine. However, when it goes untested and undiagnosed, the disease can lead to a variety of more serious health problems, including infertility.⁹ According to the Bexar Community health report, it’s interesting to see that, unlike the national trend, the amount of Caucasian and African-Americans infected with STDs over the given period (2009-2011) is relatively similar, rather than the population of African-Americans disproportionately affected.

In a large urban metropolitan area like San Antonio, there is always a great risk for the spread of communicable diseases, and it’s paramount to get tested in an effort to contain the spread of STDs. There are several free clinic options available in the area, but they often out of the way or can be crowded and offer a less-than-private atmosphere. For a private, safe and trusted healthcare experience, STDTest.com is here to answer your questions about getting tested, finding a clinic most convenient to you, and just about anything else, from prevention to treatment.

Your Best San Antonio STD Testing Option

Why spend time at the doctor’s office when you can get in and out of a testing clinic and be on with your day? STDTest.com makes it simple to take care of what you need when it comes to your sexual health, all with time left over to make it out to Hill Country for the weekend. Getting started online or on the phone guides you through a step-by-step process, tailored to your profile and conscious of your time. This local, safe and discreet healthcare option helps to alleviate the worries of STD testing you can get informed, get treated if needed, and get on with the rest of your life.

References:

1 “HIV infections increasing in Bexar County,” KENS5 Eyewitness News, San Antonio
2 “S.A. syphilis epidemic breaks recent records,” mysanantonio.com, 4/3/2014
3 San Antonio Metro Health Annual Report, April 2015
4 2013 Bexar County Community Health Assessment Report
5 Texas STD Surveillance Report 2014
6 Texas HIV Surveillance Report 2014
7 “Syphilis rates are falling in Bexar County,” San Antonio Express News, 6/23/2015
8 “With New STD Statistics, State and Local Health Departments Are Instigating Change,” Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States
9 Chlamydia – CDC Fact Sheet