Health officials are extremely concerned about the higher rates of gonorrhea in Oregon and Washington. It has been reported that the number of cases of gonorrhea increased by 18.5% in Oregon between 2012 and 2013. That’s a drastic change for the state. In one province alone the number of cases went from 2 to 23.
Similarly, in one Washington county, cases are up 75%. Health officials there are working hard to contain the spread by tracking down the previous partners of these cases, but the task is sometimes daunting. In some cases, the people being treated are unwilling to reveal the names of their partners, and in other cases, those people simply cannot be found. Either way, this puts many more people at risk.
Fortunately, there is a way to help stop the spread of this potentially harmful disease. There are three things you can do to contain this outbreak and prevent it from spreading to other parts of the country. You can start by always practicing safe sex habits. We all know that condoms significantly reduce the risk of contracting an STD. By using them every time you have intercourse you are much more likely to stay healthy.
Regardless of whether you use condoms or not, get tested regularly. We offer quick and easy testing options that are pain-free, so there’s no excuse not to get tested. Knowing if you’ve contracted an STD can help you get treatment that will make you healthier and keep you from spreading it to other people. Knowing is the first step in both treatment and prevention, so make sure you test regularly to see if you are sexually active.
If you get your results and they are positive, seek treatment. There is a treatment for all STDs, and some are even curable if caught early enough. It is extremely important to receive immediate treatment if you have discovered positive test results. By contacting your previous partners to inform them of the situation and risk of exposure, you can also unknowingly spread the disease to their new partners. It may be a difficult conversation, but it will benefit everyone in the long run.
Above all, being informed means you have control over your health. It is your personal responsibility to be aware and help stop the spread of STDs. Getting tested is so easy and it helps prevent outbreaks like those in Oregon and Washington. It all starts with you.