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Health experts call for more STD testing

Category: Chlamydia

More than ever, health experts recommend that all sexually active adults receive an STD test, as the number of infections continues to rise and the number of people who are unaware of the condition also grows.

John Alderete, who researches sexually transmitted infections at Washington State University, said that many of the most common types of diseases present few symptoms for a long period of time following contraction, and that testing is the only way for an individual to be sure they are not infected.

"The more information that our students, that our population, have, the better it is for them to make informed decisions and to take care of themselves," he told the KLEW TV news of Lewiston, Idaho.

He added that, while many people are aware of more common STDs - like syphilis, Chlamydia and gonorrhea - there are many others that have received far less attention, even though they are just as harmful.

For example, Alderete cited statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention saying that 7.4 million people are infected with Trichomona vaginalis, a disease that can cause infertility and cervical cancer.