Is it any surprise that the rate of STDs is sky rocketing?

We are witnessing noticeable increase in cases of gonorrhea, chlamydia, and syphilis.

The sad part is the sharp increase in congenital syphilis acquired from the mother in the pregnancy period.

Gone are the days when syphilis was all but eliminated and gonorrhea numbers were at historic lows.

The state and the medical community were happy that advances in STD prevention are working well.

Unfortunately, things are taking a reverse turn.

What could be the possible reason?

Is it that even though CDC has recommended that STD testing must be a part of routine care, it is not done?

Plenty of other assumptions abound.

The focus is on individual responsibility.

Perhaps more men are not using condoms. Dating apps are encouraging anonymous sex. This has resulted in making tracking more difficult.

Another frightening aspect is half the men with syphilis have HIV as well.

On an individual level, we all must have a responsibility to test ourselves if we have indulged in risky behavior.

We owe it to our loved ones and to our society as well.

One of the first things we can do is to get tested for STD status near Arlington VA.

A few of these urgent care centers offer anonymous testing with discreet billing.

Moreover these facilities offer walk-in so no time is wasted.

A positive result is no cause to worry. Treatments are possible & more often than not cure is complete.

Living with STD can be traumatic.

It makes sex painful. What once used to be a very enjoyable experience can turn into an agonizing experience. Those who suffer from a sexually transmitted disease usually experience burning, itching, and inflammation in their genital area.

STDs can be asymptomatic.

There may be no signs for months. People presume they are free from STD and indulge in sexual activity with multiple partners. This spreads the disease further.

The prospect of contracting STD is scary but luckily many modes of precautions are available.

Condoms are very effective not only at preventing pregnancy but also protecting against most forms of sexually transmitted diseases.

Abstinence is a good virtue. Perhaps the best approach to safeguard against STD.

Monogamy or sex with only one partner is also completely safe. Complications of STD are more severe for women than men.

There may not be any convincing explanations for this, but several medical researchers say:

If exposed to a sexually transmitted pathogen, women are more likely to be infected than men.
The possibility of STD to remain undetected is more in women than in men leading to delayed diagnosis.
Sexually transmitted infections spread more easily from men to women than vice versa.

Once infected, women are more prone than men to experience complications of certain types of STDs.

So, if you are living in and around Arlington, get tested for STDs as soon as possible.