Nature’s splendor is one of the main attractions of San Bernardino, with it’s National Forest beckoning locals and tourists alike. San Bernardino city and the surrounding county area of the same name is home to over 2.1 million residents that bask in the year-round sun of this sublime Southern California metropolis.1 San Bernardino residents are also subject to rising rates of commonly reported sexually transmitted diseases like chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis, according to the latest data released by the California Department of Public Health.2-4 Getting tested and treated for these common infections is essential for promoting better health in the county. Scheduling a testing appointment with your primary care doctor can sometimes take weeks, and the waiting room at a free clinic can feel crowded and overwhelming. STDtest.com offers an alternative that is fast, convenient, discreet and affordable. Read on to learn more.
STD testing can carry a stigma, and we’re here to help break down that barrier to get the best care possible in San Bernardino and beyond. According to the CDC, all STDs can be treated and many can be cured, in the case of chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis and trichomoniasis.5 Knowing your status can provide a sigh of relief. In the event that it’s positive, our service will help plan the next steps for your better health, whether it be connecting with a local physician or prescribing medicine, if medically appropriate and if allowed by state law.
With a variety of options available for treatment and cure for STIs, getting tested should be a periodic or yearly occurrence for anyone at risk. Anyone who has never been tested before, just engaged in unprotected sex or potentially received exposure to an STD should be tested as soon as possible. High risk populations, like gay, bisexual or men who have sex with men (MSM), teenagers and young adults and certain minority populations should get tested frequently, depending on their behavior. The CDC recommends that all sexually active women under the age of 25 be screened for chlamydia yearly, a condition for which they are at high risk.5&6
Chlamydia is the sexually transmitted infection reported with the most frequency in San Bernardino County and the number of conditions reported to the California Department of Public Health saw an increase year-over-year from 2013 to 2014. In 2014, 10,657 new chlamydia infections were reported, compared to 11,110 the year before. From 2010 to 2014, the highest instance of chlamydia infections was in 2012 with 11,806 infections. Another sexually transmitted disease reporting rising numbers is gonorrhea, with 2,583 new infections reported in 2014 compared to 2,047 in 2013.2-4
The state of California ranks 4th out of 50 across the country for the number and rate of primary and secondary (P&S infections), and the number of new cases in San Bernardino continues to increase as well, according to reports from California Department of Public Health. In 2013, 76 new infections were reported compared to 99 the following year. Of the most commonly reported STIs reported to the San Bernardino County Health Department and in turn to the state of California, HIV sees a decrease, with a rate of infection of 72.2 cases per 100,000 residents reported cases in 2014 compared to a rate of 69.5/100,000 the year before. Knowing the risks, getting tested and finding the right treatment, if applicable, is a simple way to improve the overall sexual health of the San Bernardino community.6&7
According to the State of California Department of Education, a comprehensive sexual education curriculum is required in each of the state’s public school systems, including those in San Bernardino County. Comprehensive sex and HIV education is defined by California state law as, “Education regarding human development and sexuality, including education on pregnancy, family planning, and sexually transmitted diseases.” This curriculum includes topics covering different contraceptives and other preventive methods against sexually transmitted diseases and unintended pregnancy. Additionally, the state mandate does not permit public schools to administer “Abstinence-Only” sexual education.8
This open-minded, multi-faceted approach to sexual education and learning the facts, risks, testing and treatment options for HIV and other STIs encourages an important dialogue that could improve teens’ overall health in the long run. 15-24 year olds reported 62.9% of all chlamydia infections in San Bernardino County according to the most recently published reports, making it even more important to clarify what the risks are and how to get tested. Considering that many STDs do not present with any symptoms, it’s important to be extra-vigilant when it comes to testing and treatment. With nearly 10 million of the 20 million STDs reported each year in the United States attributed this young population, encouraging teens and young adults to be aware of the facts is essential for a brighter, healthier future.9&10
While youth report disproportionately high numbers of sexually transmitted diseases in San Bernardino, other demographic groups also feel the impact of high numbers of these common infections. Looking at chlamydia infections in the county, far higher numbers are reported in women than in men, with 71.7% of all new cases attributed to this demographic group, compared to 28.2% reported in men. Similar rates of gonorrhea infection are reported in men and women in the county, with 50.7% of new cases attributed to men compared to 49.1% to women. An STI that sees more infections reported in men by an overwhelming majority are primary and secondary (P&S) syphilis, with 89.9% of all new cases.9
One’s racial or ethnic demographic group can place a patient at higher risk for contracting certain sexually transmitted diseases. For example, the Hispanic population in San Bernardino county reports the majority of chlamydia cases with 18.4% of all cumulative infections, followed by African Americans with 8% (many cases reported did not specify a racial/ethnic group). Regarding gonorrhea, the racial/ethnic group reporting the highest number of 2014 infections is the African American group, with 18.4% of all cases. Hispanics saw the highest percentage of new P&S syphilis cases according to the most recent data circulated by the California Department of Public Health, with 46.4% of infections. Continuing to reach out to these groups who are adversely affected by the rise of sexually transmitted diseases in the county and encouraging periodic or yearly STD testing is an effective way to lower the current numbers and rates of disease.9
Why not take advantage of the great natural wonders San Bernardino has to offer, like a visit with family and friends to Deep Creek Hot Springs, rather than letting the stress your STD status weigh on your mood? Getting started and getting the answers you seek is simple with STDtest.com. To begin, you’ll answer a few brief questions to receive your doctor-recommended panel of tests, customized to your personal history and symptoms. You’ll then choose a lab location from a national network of thousands for a short visit (usually 30 minutes or less) to collect your test samples. If available in your area, In-Home Collection offers testing at home, work or any place you choose.
For both options, results are usually available in three business days or less. After that, the medical team is available for a follow-up consult 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.