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STD infections – also called STI or Sexually Transmitted Infections, are on the rise throughout the nation.

Recently the CDC or Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicated that there are about 20 million new infections each year in the United States.

This is a significant amount of infections and it is something that is overlooked in its importance. Remember – this is not looking at individuals with STD’s but rather the number of actual infections. Often, an individual can have more than one infections at a time and could theoretically have a few infections each year.

The primary problem is that many cases are not reported to the CDC and many other go unreported or undiagnosed.

Research though has been based on estimates and the numbers of those who don’t know they have been infected could raise the number substantially.

Many of those affected with a sexually transmitted infection are between the ages of 15 through 24.

The Numbers of Those Infected Each Year

Human Papillomavirus or HPV – 14 million

HIV – 41,000

Chlamydia – Nearly 1.5 million

Gonorrhea – 340,000

Syphilis – 50,000

Genital Herpes – 228,000

Genital Warts – 353,000

Vaginal Trichomoniasis – 219,000

Other Vaginitis – 3.5 million

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease – 106,000

Overall Infection

– Remember that the above numbers are for each year.

–  Nationwide there are an estimated 79.1 million people with HPV infection and it is estimated that there are 110 million people with STDs nationwide.

–  These are alarming numbers

–  Under 20,000 people die each year because of HIV.

A Brief Look at Cost

–  Each year STD cost approach 20 billion dollars.  Some STD’s are live long medical issues with may complications – such as HIV.

–  HIV is particularly costly as is HPV that leads to cancers.

–  But curable STDs cost almost 800 million alone.

Untreated STD’s

–  Many of the STDs are curable and all are preventable.

–  But if they are left untreated or undiagnosed – additional health issues, serious life long medical complications, and even death are possible.

–  There could be hundred of thousands or individuals with sexual diseases that are unaware and they are passing such diseases to their sexual partners.

–  Vaccinations, contraceptives, abstinence, yearly exams and checkups are just some of the things that need to be considered.

Recommendations

–  The CDC recommends that adults and adolescents be tested for HIV at least once.

–  All women – who are sexually active – 25 and younger – should be checked for Chlamydia every year.

–  Older Women with risk factors such as new or multiple sex partners should be checked yearly.

–  All women – with new or multiple sex partners should be checked yearly for Gonorrhea.

–  All Pregnant women should be checked for HIV, Chlamydia, Hepatitis B, and Syphilis.

–  At risk pregnant women should be checked for Gonorrhea at first prenatal visit.

–  All HIV positive women should be checked each year for Trichomoniasis.

–  All sexually active gay and bisexual men – who have sex with men should be screened for syphilis, chlamydia, gonorrhea and HIV each year.

–  Men with multiple or anonymous male sex partners should be screened every 3-6 months.

–  If drug use and multiple sex partners – screening should be more often.

*** – Remember that anyone can be at risk for a STD.  But there appears to be in increased risk for younger individuals, certain groups, and this includes gay and bisexual men.