Battle the rising sexually-transmitted disease epidemic by visiting your local Any Lab Test Now and taking a quick test to determine your sexual health.

Combined cases of syphilis, gonorrhea and chlamydia reached an all-time high in the United States in 2018, according to a new report released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The number of cases was more than 2.4 million in 2018 and nearly half of these cases are among youth, the study revealed. The number of primary and secondary syphilis cases — the most infectious stages of syphilis — increased 14 percent. Gonorrhea cases rose 5 percent, and chlamydia was up 3 percent to 1.7 million cases, the most ever reported to CDC.

A decrease in condom use among vulnerable groups, including young people and gay men, as well as cuts to STD treatment programs at both a state and local level is contributing to the rising number of STD cases. Drug use, poverty, stigma and unstable housing also reduce access to STD prevention and care.

Get tested for STDS at Any Lab Test Now

Any Lab Test Now offers convenient, affordable and private screening for sexually transmitted diseases or sexually transmitted infections at more than 180 locations nationwide. The Comprehensive STD Panel tests for several sexually transmitted diseases at the same time at one low price, including HIV, syphilis, herpes I and II, gonorrhea, chlamydia and hepatitis B and C. Patients can book an appointment online or walk in to get tested. The panel requires both a blood and urine sample and results are returned within three business days. All STD test results must be picked up at the location where you took the test to ensure privacy and comply with government guidelines.

Symptoms of STDs

One of the biggest threats of STDs and STIs is that many go undiagnosed and untreated. Knowing some of the symptoms of gonorrhea, chlamydia and syphilis is important to maintaining your sexual health. Individuals with gonorrhea and chlamydia may experience discharge and burning when urinating. Men may also experience pain or swelling in one or both testicles. The symptoms of syphilis vary by stage but include sores, rashes and lesions, as well as fever, swollen lymph glands, sore throat, patchy hair loss, headaches, weight loss, muscle aches and fatigue.

Unfortunately, many STDs and STIs do not have any symptoms, which makes the importance of regular testing essential.

Long-term impact of STDs

Many of the effects of sexually transmitted diseases are not felt until later in life. It is estimated that undiagnosed STDs cause infertility in more than 20,000 women each year, the CDC reports. Untreated STDs can increase a person’s risk of contracting HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, according to the CDC.

Congenital syphilis is passed from a mother to her baby during pregnancy. It can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth and newborn death, as well as severe lifelong physical and neurological problems. Newborn deaths related to congenital syphilis are up 22 percent in 2018, resulting in 94 deaths, versus 74 the prior year. The national rise in congenital syphilis parallels increases in syphilis among women of reproductive age. Syphilis cases increased 36 percent among women of childbearing age in 2018, versus the prior year. 

“There are tools available to prevent every case of congenital syphilis,” said Gail Bolan, M.D., director of CDC’s Division of STD Prevention, in a statement. “Testing is simple, and can help women to protect their babies from syphilis — a preventable disease that can have irreversible consequences.”

How often should I get tested for STDs?

The CDC recommends that any sexually active adult get tested for STDs regularly, depending on your age and number of sexual partners. Here’s the breakdown:

  • All adults and adolescents from ages 13 to 64 should be tested at least once for HIV. Anyone who has unsafe sex or shares injection drug equipment should get tested for HIV at least once a year.
  • All sexually active women should be tested for gonorrhea and chlamydia every year until they are 25 years old. 
  • All pregnant women should be tested for syphilis, HIV, and hepatitis B.
  • All sexually active gay and bisexual men should be tested annually for syphilis, chlamydia, and gonorrhea. Those who have multiple or anonymous partners should be tested more frequently for STDs, including HIV.

If your test comes back positive, it is important to contact your doctor for treatment. Most STDs are curable, and all of them are treatable, the CDC reports.

If your test is negative, take a few steps to lower your risk of contracting an STD or STI in the future.

  1. Practice abstinence.
  2. Use condoms.
  3. Have fewer sexual partners. Keep the lines of communication open and talk to your partners about their sexual history.
  4. Get vaccinated. The HPV vaccine is readily available and safe. It protects against the human papillomavirus, one of the most common STDs.

Book an appointment online, or walk into an Any Lab Test Now location to understand your sexual health and ensure your future fertility and peace of mind.