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Could social media be used to curb STD rates?
Date: 2013-02-07 00:00:00

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and HIV are serious business and, if left untreated, can cause serious problems such as infertility or even death. Unfortunately, many people may not even know that they have an STD until it has already progressed. For example, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that one out of every five people with HIV is unaware that they have the virus​, underscoring the importance of regular testing. While increased testing is one way to help curb the rate of STDs and HIV among high-risk populations, recent research suggests that social networking technologies may also help.

Researchers from the University of California, Los Angeles recently set out to determine how Facebook and other social media tools could be used to help reduce STDs and HIV in high-risk populations.

Combating infections with the internet ... Full Story

What encourages African-American women to practice safer sex?
Date: 2013-02-08 00:00:00

Sexually active individuals need to understand that it's important to regularly get tested for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) to help ensure that they are healthy. Furthermore, community leaders and health advocates need to stress that the most effective ways to prevent the spread of STDs while engaging in sexual activity is to wear a condom and utilize STD testing services after each new partner. Unfortunately, studies have shown that some populations are less likely to engage in safer sex practices than others. For example, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, individuals between the ages of 15 and 24 have the highest rate of STDs.

Furthermore, African-American women also seem to have a greater chance of contracting STDs and HIV than other populations. In response to this, researchers from the University of California, Berkley set out to determine what motivates these women to engage in sexual activity and when they are more likely to use protection.

What encourages people to be safe?... Full Story

Survey shows: Sex with condoms is still awesome
Date: 2013-02-11 00:00:00

This Valentine's Day, couples across the U.S. will be exchanging many things - gifts, loving words, playful smiles and many other wonderful moments. However, if these couples aren't careful, then another thing they may be exchanging during this holiday is sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). There is a serious STD problem among Americans, and, unfortunately people continue to engage in risky sexual behaviors, which increases their chances of contracting an infection or virus such as HIV.

Aside from abstaining from sexual activity altogether, the best way a person can protect themselves against STDs is to use a condom. However, some people claim that sex is not pleasurable if they use a condom, a myth that's helped to proliferate the spread STDs. Researchers from the Indiana University School of Public Health-Bloomington set out to determine if this view is commonly held and true. They found that despite what people may think, sex remains pleasurable whether a condom is used or not.

People don't mind condoms ... Full Story

Pregnant women with STD may be lacking treatment in ERs
Date: 2013-02-13 00:00:00

Women who are pregnant or are attempting to conceive have a lot on their minds. They're probably busy getting their homes ready for their new additions, trying to choose a name and looking at potential daycare or nannies. However, one thing that may not be a prominent concern is testing for sexually transmitted diseases. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, STDs such as such as genital herpes and bacterial vaginosis are surprisingly common in pregnant women. Furthermore, infections such as syphilis may be passed on to a baby and can cause serious side effects such as blindness. As such, women should look into STD testing services before they attempt to get pregnant, or early on their pregnancy.

Recently, researchers from Michigan State University's College of Human Medicine discovered that if women go to the emergency room with symptoms of an STD, they may not get the treatment they need, which is all the more reason for women to utilize STD testing before their pregnancy.

Difficult to tell... Full Story

STD rates continue to be an issue in the U.S.
Date: 2013-02-14 00:00:00

Sexually transmitted diseases can impact anyone who doesn't practice safer sex or abstinence, and they continue to grow in prevalence throughout the U.S., underscoring the need for STD testing services.

Recently, NBC News reported that researchers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have released two new studies detailing the STD problem in the U.S. According to the news source, the scientists called this problem a "ongoing STD epidemic."

Startling results ... Full Story

Parents are most comfortable with daughters using birth control pills
Date: 2013-02-19 00:00:00

When it comes to preventing sexually transmitted diseases, the only effective form of contraceptive is the condom. Because of this, some would assume that most parents would be most comfortable with their daughters having access to condoms rather than other types of contraception, which may protect against unplanned pregnancy, but not STDs. However, according to a study conducted by researchers from the University of California, San Francisco, that is not the case.

Researchers found that parents are most accepting of their daughters using birth control pills than other forms of contraception, including condoms, implants and the intrauterine device. This is a problem for health officials, considering that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that teens between the ages of 15 and 19 fall within the age group of individuals most likely to contract an STD. This is one of the reasons why sexually active individuals in this population need access to STD testing services.

A matter of prevention ... Full Story

Website informs people of their partners' STD history
Date: 2013-02-21 00:00:00

When people meet a new romantic interest, they probably ask them a lot of questions such as where they went to school, what their job is and what their hobbies are. One thing they probably don't ask, but should, is about the last time they utilized STD testing services. Luckily, there is now a new website designed to help people broach this sometimes difficult subject.

The Los Angeles Times recently reported on a website called Qpid.me, which allows people to register their STD test results online in a secure way so they can put their partner's mind at ease.

How does it work?... Full Story

Syphilis rates skyrocket in Iowa
Date: 2013-02-25 00:00:00

Sexually transmitted disease rates are on the rise in many parts of the U.S., which is why it's important for all sexually active Americans to regularly use STD testing services. In some U.S. states STD numbers have only risen slightly, but in others the increase is very dramatic. For example, according to a recent article published by KCCI 8 News, an Iowa news source, the Polk County Health Department has announced that syphilis rates are up 420 percent in the area.

Health experts stated that in 2012, there were 112 cases of syphilis in the county, compared to 27 in 2011.

Concerning numbers... Full Story

STD rates continue to be a concern in California
Date: 2013-02-20 00:00:00

All sexually active individuals should be regularly using STD testing services, but people in certain states in particular should be cautious about sexually transmitted diseases. For example, California has been experiencing an increase in syphilis rates. This is a serious infection that can not only harm the person who has it, but can be passed on to unborn babies as well, often with devastating consequences.

The Huffington Post reported that the California Department of Public Health recently released a study which showed that syphilis morbidity rates increased between 2011 and 2012. There was a 25 percent increase in syphilis cases from 2011 to 2012 in San Francisco alone, which highlights a worrisome trend.

Challenging infection... Full Story