Just because the focus has mainly been on COVID-19 doesn’t mean other health threats are going away. Sexually transmitted diseases are a good example.

STD rates appear to be rising across the United States as fewer people get tested and treated during the pandemic. COVID-19 has reduced the number of places where STD testing is available. Many public health department workers who typically trace HIV and STD cases are being pulled off to help with coronavirus testing. A recent survey finds 83 percent of STD programs have paused services, and 66 percent of clinics report a decline in sexual health screenings due to COVID-19.

This couldn’t have come at a worse time in the fight against STDs. Combined cases of syphilis, gonorrhea and chlamydia are at an all-time high in the United States, according to the annual Sexually Transmitted Disease Surveillance Report released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Experts say these rates are an epidemic amid a pandemic.

However, despite the stay-at-home orders and calls for social distancing, people are still having sex.

STDs can have severe health consequences if not treated. The diseases are spread through unprotected sex. Sometimes a person will have symptoms, but it is possible to have an STD and spread it to another person even if there are no symptoms.

Just because COVID 19 is limiting testing at public health departments, you can still find out if you have a sexually transmitted disease anytime at Any Lab Test Now. A comprehensive screening panel tests for all major STDs at one time at one low price. No fasting is required. All test results are kept confidential.

Here are the most common STDs and the symptoms:

Chlamydia

Chlamydia is the most commonly reported STD in the U.S. It is caused by a common bacterium that can be treated with antibiotics. But if left untreated, chlamydia can cause serious complications. Symptoms include an odd discharge from the vagina or penis or painful urination. Only about 25 percent of women; and 50 percent of men get symptoms.

Women who don’t get treated for chlamydia can suffer permanent damage to their reproductive system.

Gonorrhea

Gonorrhea is another common sexually transmitted disease. Like chlamydia, it is caused by a bacterium and has similar symptoms — unusual discharge from the vagina or penis and/or painful urination. Most men with gonorrhea will exhibit symptoms, but only about 20 percent of women will experience symptoms.

Untreated gonorrhea can cause serious and permanent health problems in both men and women, including infertility.

Syphilis

Syphilis is a sneaky STD. There are several stages of the disease, which can overlap. Syphilis usually starts with a sore called a chancre. It can show up anywhere in or around the male or female genitalia and can be mistaken for a pimple or ingrown hair. The chancres usually clear up in a few weeks, but the syphilis remains. A secondary stage of the disease involves a rash on the palms of the hands and/or soles of the feet. Some people may also experience flu-like symptoms. People whose untreated syphilis moves into the late stage can face serious health problems such as tumors, blindness, and paralysis.

Syphilis is easily treated by antibiotics in the early stage. The treatment will still work in the late stage but won’t reverse any damage already done to the body.

Herpes

There are two strains of herpes to look out for – herpes 1 (HSV-1) and herpes 2 (HSV-2). The main symptoms are painful blisters around the penis, vagina, or anus. However, not everyone who has herpes gets blisters. Even if you have protected sex with someone who has herpes, you can still catch it. All it takes is skin-to-skin contact, including areas that a condom doesn’t cover. Herpes is a virus and can’t be cured, but medication is available to help control it.

Some of the complications associated with herpes include bladder issues and an increased risk for contracting other sexually transmitted diseases. Babies born to mothers infected with herpes can be exposed to the virus during birth — possibly resulting in brain damage, blindness, or even death.

HIV

HIV is the virus that causes AIDS. It can be transmitted through unprotected intercourse with an infected person or sharing a needle with someone who is infected. It can also be passed through body fluids such as blood, semen, and breast milk — but HIV is not transmitted through saliva or by kissing.

Symptoms of HIV vary. It can feel like the flu, with body aches, fever, and fatigue. There is no cure for HIV, but there are drugs that can help people with HIV live long lives.

Testing Recommendations

Regular STD testing is important if you have sex, no matter how healthy you seem. The CDC recommends that any sexually active adult get tested for STDs regularly, depending on age and number of sexual partners.

  • 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 younger than 25 should be tested for gonorrhea and chlamydia every year. Women over 25 with risk factors (new or multiple sex partners) should also be tested yearly.
  • 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.

 Be at Ease

If you are considering STD testing but are wary of bumping into a coronavirus patient at your doctor’s office, you can be at ease with a visit to Any Lab Test Now. We provide you with a safe and clean alternative location for lab work.  Each of our 185+ stores is sanitized several times a day, in accordance with the CDC’s protocols.

Any Lab Test Now is a committed partner in helping you manage your family’s healthcare so you can make educated decisions that will directly affect your quality of life. We want to put you at ease during the coronavirus outbreak. We are here to help.

Find your closest Any Lab Test Now at www.anylabtestnow.com.