Harrisburg, PA - The Department of Health today urged everyone to take steps to educate themselves about sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and emphasized the importance of getting tested.
“It is essential that people are aware of the risks and dangers of STDs and are proactive in speaking to their doctor about getting tested for them,” Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine said. “As the opioid crisis continues in Pennsylvania, there has been an increase in the number of cases of Hepatitis and HIV. While these diseases can be shared via other means, sexual transmission, particularly for individuals with multiple partners and men having sex with men can increase the likelihood of becoming infected.
The department collects data on several STDs on its website. Cases of chlamydia have increased by 25 percent from 2007 to 2017. Cases of gonorrhea have increased by 17 percent from 2007 to 2017.
In addition, the most recent data on congenital syphilis cases in Pennsylvania shows the highest number of new cases, six, in one year in more than 24 years. Early syphilis cases in women of child bearing age have increased 47 percent over the last year, to the highest reported number of cases in more than two years.
In response to the recent increases in cases of both congenital syphilis and early syphilis in women of child bearing age, the department recommends all pregnant females be offered a test for syphilis in the following situations:
At the third trimester of pregnancy;
At the delivery of a child; or
At the delivery of a stillborn child.
This recommendation comes in addition to the statewide requirement for syphilis testing of all pregnant woman at the time of first prenatal examination.
Several of the more common STDs not mentioned above include genital herpes, gonorrhea, human papillomavirus (HPV), pelvic inflammatory disease and vaginitis.
The department operates the STD Program with the mission of preventing and intervening in the transmission of STDs. Part of that work includes partnering with local health care providers at free and confidential STD clinics which exist across the state.
There are a number of ways to lower your risk for getting STDs. They include:
Abstinence: The most reliable way to avoid infection is to not have sex (i.e. anal, vaginal or oral);
Choosing one partner and agreeing to be sexually active only with each other. It is still important that you and your partner get tested for STDs and HIV, and share your test results with one another before having sex;
Limiting the number of people you have sex with if you have more than one partner; and
Using latex condoms and dental dams the right way every time you have sex.
For more information about STDs, visit the Department of Health website at www.health.pa.gov or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
MEDIA CONTACT: Nate Wardle, 717-787-1783 or ra-dhpressoffice@pa.gov
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