While Americans were lining up in droves to get tested for COVID-19 during the last year, there was one type of test many people stopped requesting altogether: sexually transmitted disease (STD) tests. Now, health experts fear an undetected spread will lead to a surge in STD case numbers in the future.

In a study from Penn State College of Medicine, researchers reviewed data on more than 18 million STD test results from patients aged 14 to 49 from January 2019 through June 2020; and found screening declines of 63 percent for men and 59 percent for women in the early months of the pandemic. The rest of the 2020 data has not been released yet, but experts expect the numbers will reflect a similar decline.

Despite stay-at-home orders, social distancing, and other pandemic protocols to combat COVID-19, there is growing evidence that people continued to be sexually active with people outside their household. Activity on dating apps soared. One hookup app reported having 11 percent more swipes and 42 percent matches last year, making 2020 its busiest year.

When the pandemic first started, the United States was experiencing record-high rates of STDs, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Rates dropped dramatically toward the end of 2020, but the downturn is a false reflection of the number of people living with STDs. Instead, it reflects the decrease in the number of people who have been tested, not a decrease in the number of people who have contracted an STD. Once testing for STDs returns to pre-pandemic levels, there’s likely to be an increase in diagnosed infections. The fact that some Americans could have been living with an undetected STD could lead to more related health consequences, such as pelvic inflammatory disease, cervical cancer, infertility, and increased risk of HIV.

The best way to stop the spread of STDs is for people to know they have one. Since some people can be infected with STDs without showing symptoms, routine testing is an important part of diagnosis and prevention.

Get Tested

The general rule is that everyone who is sexually active should get tested once a year unless they’ve been in a long-term monogamous relationship and are sure of their partner’s status.

Sexual health is important. There are several STDs you should know about. Click on each of the names below to learn more about the transmission and symptoms.

A Comprehensive STD Panel like the one offered at Any Lab Test Now® tests for all major STDs at one time for one low price. No fasting is required. All test results are kept confidential.

Be at Ease

Any Lab Test Now wants you to be at ease when it comes to seeking out any type of lab work, including STD testing.

We provide you a safe and clean alternative location for lab work. Each of our 190+ 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 pandemic. We are here to help.

For more information about Any Lab Test Now, and the tests we offer, visit us at www.anylabtestnow.com.