With a prime location on the most Eastern edge of Virginia, Virginia Beach is home to a bustling downtown and retains the quaint feel of a sleepy beach town. VA Beach’s 450,000+ residents1 know that some of the best ways to pass the time are at False Cape State Park and the Virginia Beach Aquarium, as well as the oceanfront promenade and attractions. STDs like HIV, chlamydia and gonorrhea are on the rise in the area, making it even more important to get tested and treated for the better health of this waterfront haven.2-4 Scheduling a doctor’s appointment sometimes can take weeks, and the waiting rooms at free clinics can be be crowded. Discover a new option for your STD testing needs with STDtest.com that is fast, confidential and affordable. Read on to learn more.
This independent city on the Eastern Seaboard reports 6% of all Virginia’s HIV infections, a number that continues to increase. Addressing the issue of STD testing doesn’t need to be stressful or shameful. We work with a dedicated team of Care Advisors, available 7 days a week from 6 AM – 10 PM to answer any questions you have and to guide you each step along the way. With the continued rise of sexually transmitted diseases in the area, getting tested is an effective method to slow down the spread of infections in the area. We’re here to help.
The process is simple. Answering a brief medical intake results in a doctor-recommended panel of tests delivered to you. After receiving your test recommendation, walk-ins are welcome at your local lab of choice. Our network incorporates thousands of locations nationwide to make the test sample collection visit as convenient as possible. Once that step is complete, test results are usually available in three business days or less, and a medical team is available to address any resulting concerns. Take control of your sexual health by getting answers and leaving questions behind. Getting tested can be far less intimidating than you might think, with results accessible in a timely manner. It’s a simple solution that will leave time for more of what you enjoy in Virginia Beach.
Of the sexually transmitted diseases on the rise per reporting circulated by the Virginia Department of Health, chlamydia saw the most significant increase in 2014, with 2,237 cases reported that year compared to 2,237 the previous year.2 Comparatively, gonorrhea sees a lower number of infections in the Virginia Beach area, in addition to a lower rate of infection in the population, however, it continues to be on the rise. In 2014, 550 new gonorrhea infections were reported in the city, at a rate of 122.6 infections per 100,000 residents.3 Primary and secondary syphilis are reported with far less comparative frequency, however, if left untreated it can lead to potentially severe medical complications.6 2014 saw 13 new P&S syphilis infections at a rate of 2.9/100,000.4
The prevalence of HIV in the statistical area saw 65 new infections reported at a rate of 14.4/100,000 in 2014. From 2013 to 2014, the number of infections rose from 59 to 65, a slight increase from the year before. This is also up from From 2010 to 2014, the highest number of new diagnoses was 65 in 2014 and the lowest year of infection was 2012 with 49. Staying vigilant and getting tested yearly or periodically, based on your own particular risk factors, is key for helping to lower the rate of sexually transmitted disease in Virginia Beach.5
Sexual education in Virginia Beach and across the the state is regulated by the Code of Virginia and offers a comprehensive approach to general health and sexual education. In an effort to fight against teen pregnancy rates and young adults infected by sexually transmitted diseases, this age-appropriate, medically-accurate programming offers a range of approaches to both inform students of the risk and to provide abstinence as a 100% effective preventive option. This curriculum also focuses on supporting children and young adults by teaching them methods to effectively work on healthy relationships, how to recognize abusive and unhealthy behaviors in dating relationships and how to reach out for help, as well as establishing a strong basis of self-esteem to assist in making the best choices possible.7
With STDs affecting nearly 10 million young people across the United States, a multi-faceted curriculum is a smart approach to take in the effort to lower disease rates in Virginia Beach, the state of Virginia as a whole as well as across the nation. Knowing the risks of sexually transmitted is a crucial first step of realizing one is at risk. Even though young adults age 15-24 are some of most commonly affected people by STDs, there can be a shame or stigma attached with reaching out for help. With a continued development of community resources for young people to access, the forecast for less disease looks promising.8
The racial/ethnic impact of sexually transmitted disease across the state of Virginia sees a marked impact on the African American community. Between reports of chlamydia, gonorrhea, P&S syphilis and HIV, this demographic group reported the highest numbers and rates of infection. Respective to these STDs, African Americans reported 43.3% of all chlamydia cases, 62.3% of all gonorrhea cases, 51.2% of all P&S syphilis cases and 58.2% of HIV cases in 2014. The racial/ethnic group most commonly following African Americans for prevalence of disease was the Caucasian population.2-5
Similarly to the rest of the nation, one of the highest elevated demographic groups to be affected by the spread of sexually transmitted disease is the 15-24 age group. They reported 66.9% of all chlamydia infections, 58.3% of all gonorrhea infections, 24.1% of all P&S syphilis infections and 24.7% of all new HIV infections in 2014. Encouraging these disproportionately affected groups to get tested is a proactive method of improving the state of sexually transmitted disease in Virginia Beach, the state of Virginia and beyond.2-5
Enjoy life more in this idyllic oceanside community by reducing the worry about your sexual health and getting tested. All STDs can be treated and many can be cured, so let a positive result be a guide to getting better, rather than staying in the dark in denial. With STDtest.com, this process is fast, confidential and affordable. Get started by answering a short medical questionnaire, either online or by phone. By doing so, you’ll receive a doctor-recommended panel of tests customized to your personal history and symptoms. After this, you’ll choose a lab most convenient for you from a national network of thousands for a brief (usually a half hour or less) to collect your test samples. Same-day options are often available and no appointment is required. Your test results will be available usually within three business days or less. The medical team is available to answer any follow up questions that might arise and even to prescribe follow up treatment, if medically appropriate and if allowed by state law. Get tested. It’s for your better health.