There’s so much to love about sunny San Diego, California. Incredible beaches, Balboa Park and the world-famous San Diego Zoo are just the beginning. With a population on the rise,1 this picturesque county attracts many more young people each year. The Baja, Imperial and San Diego counties are tied closely together in their celebration of diversity and the development of an international community.
According to the County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency, California ranks 2nd in the nation for the number of reported STD cases, and San Diego ranks 3rd for the total number of cases reported in California. With statistics like these, taking preventive steps to ensure the overall sexual health of individuals and communities at large is a pressing public health matter. STDTest.com offers a convenient alternative that is confidential and cost-effective. No appointment is necessary to schedule, and you won’t need to wait in line at a free clinic. It’s ideal for busy San Diegans on the go who need to know their status.
One of the best ways to experience San Diego is to get outside. Soaking up the California culture means partaking in hikes and seeing sights in Torrey Pines and La Jolla Cove. It’s easier to stress less and enjoy more when assured of your STD status. There are several options for STD testing and screening procedures, including free clinics and a visit to the primary care physician. STDTest.com offers an innovative service that combines professional medical care, exceptional customer service and the convenience of on-demand medical testing that is also cost-effective when paying out-of-pocket or with insurance.
In a metropolis with an ever-growing population attracting younger residents, getting tested is important, especially for any individual who has never been tested or anyone at risk from recent exposure. Since 2006, the rate of new AIDS infections have remained stable,2 and further preventive efforts like testing will help this trend continue.
One sexually transmitted disease currently on the rise in San Diego is gonorrhea. From 2013 to 2014, the county health department reported an 18% increase of gonorrhea cases, from 2,865 to 3,391 infections over the course of one year.3 Many STDs can present without symptoms, which makes it especially important for anyone at risk of exposure to get tested and treated, when appropriate.
Chlamydia, on the other hand, saw a downward trend in 2014 after a peak period of infection in 2012. The common STI reported a 2.6% decrease in 2014. With 15,626 cases reported in San Diego that year, chlamydia continues to be the highest reported sexually transmitted disease not just in the city but in the entire state of California.3
Primary and secondary (P&S) syphilis rates in San Diego increased by about 6% from 2013 to 2014, or from 347 cases to 369 cases.3 This slight increase is still a cause for concern. Syphilis, similar chlamydia and gonorrhea, can cause serious health issues if left undetected. Syphilis, left untreated, can invade the brain to cause severe neurological symptoms.4
A sexually transmitted disease in San Diego with relatively stable trends is HIV. Since 2006, the rate of report has not increased or decreased dramatically, according to reports from the County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency Epidemiology and Immunization Services Branch. In 2011, the total number of new infections reported in San Diego County totaled 213, compared to 5,526 total cases in the area.
According to a comprehensive case study performed by the California School Health Centers initiative, San Diego is the second largest school district in the state serving a community of over 130,000 students.5 San Diego county is one of 21 around the country to receive a 5-year grant (2013-2018) from CDC’s Division of Adolescent and School Health. This grant provides resources to implement comprehensive sexual education programs for a variety of grade levels. Another condition of grant funding includes school administration and reporting of Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS).6 The results of this survey enables to the CDC to make improvements or adjustments in the areas of sexual education. Three other counties in California also receive this funding. They include Los Angeles, Oakland and San Francisco.
In September 2015, a new bill was passed by the California legislature to improve upon existing sexual health education for students across the state. The proposed improvements detailed in AB-329 include a further integration of sexual health education and HIV/AIDS prevention. The new California Comprehensive Sexual Health and HIV/AIDS Prevention Education Act the California Healthy Youth Act was passed to take effect in the 2015-2016 school year.7
The funding provided by the CDC and new legislation have worked to strengthen the sexual education services available in San Diego county. As the quality of services continue to increase, this will increase the dialogue about making healthy choices and knowing the proper course of action to take in the event of risky behavior.
The demographic distribution of sexually transmitted diseases in San Diego continues to evolve. This shift is seen in the occurrence of new HIV infections. 2011 data reports 62% of new infections affected Caucasians, 20% Hispanics and 15% blacks. Even though the white population is predominantly affected, this is a shift from years prior, where a larger percentage was impacted. Now, the cases reported in the black and Hispanic communities continue to increase.2 Men who have sex with men continues to be the highest risk group, accounting for 75% of new infections. Geographically, the Central health region administration has seen a doubling of new infections reported.2
Regarding the demographic distribution of chlamydia in San Diego, women are twice as likely to be affected than men. However, women saw a sharper decrease of infections in 2014 than men, according to the County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency. Young women age 15-24 is the highest age group impacted by chlamydia, a statistic consistent with other large metropolitan areas nationwide. African Americans are the demographic group most affected by chlamydia, followed by the Hispanic/Latino community.3
Conversely, the rate of gonorrhea in men is twice the amount in women in San Diego. The most common age demographic for this STI is 20-29 year-old males. Here, there is again a large disparity between racial groups. The County of San Diego reports that African American males are 4.8 times more likely to contract gonorrhea than white males, and African American women are 7.7 times more likely to contract it than white females.3 Syphilis cases experience an interesting demographic distribution.The rates experienced in men and women differ drastically. In San Diego, men are impacted by syphilis at a rate of 21.9/100,000 people, compared to women (1.2/100,000 people).3
Demographics and ranges can vary in different areas of the city. With several STDs on the rise, it’s important to get tested for STDs, especially if your specific population is at risk, you’ve been exposed recently, or if you are sexually active and have never been tested.
There are too many wonderful things to enjoy living in San Diego to let an unknown STD status cause extra stress. Getting answers in a way that is private, cost-effective and accurate is at the top of the list for anyone at risk for a sexually transmitted disease. Going to the doctor’s office can require an appointment weeks or even months in advance, and the wait at a free clinic can be unpredictable. By taking a brief questionnaire, you’ll receive a doctor-recommend panel of tests and the option to schedule a test when it is most convenient for you, including the same day at one of the thousands of labs we work with around the country or at home, work or another convenient location.
For all testing options, you will be notified of your results in usually three business days or less. Payment options include insurance and out-of-pocket, and our medical team is available for follow-up questions you might have. STDTest.com is healthcare designed with patients in mind.