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Sexually Transmitted Diseases Reach All Time High in Iowa Posted 27 June 2008 A 22-year-old law student visits an STD clinic in tears. The first sexual experience of her life, with a boyfriend she thought she knew and could trust, resulted in cramping and bleeding. She tests positive for Gonorrhea. Her boyfriend, who had only one partner besides her, agrees to be tested even though he has no symptoms. He turns out to be infected not only with Gonorrhea, but herpes as well. In another part of the state, a businessman calls an STD program and describes symptoms that sound like syphilis. He tells of a single sexual encounter after a night of drinking. He struggles as he comes to terms with the disease he'll have to tell his girlfriend about. He comments he's a well-educated, highly-paid professional. As these true stories indicate, STDs don't discriminate. According to figures from the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH), total cases of Chlamydia, Gonorrhea and Syphilis reached record levels in 2007. "The figures are alarming," said IDPH Director Tom Newton. "It's especially concerning that we're seeing the greatest number of cases reported in teenagers and young adults." The 2007 statistics show:     * 8,643 reported Chlamydia cases - a 67 percent increase in reported cases over the last 10 years.     * 74 percent of the Chlamydia cases (6,350) were in Iowans aged 15 to 24.     * 1,928 reported Gonorrhea cases - a 19 percent increase in reported cases over the last 10 years.     * 60 percent of the Gonorrhea cases were in Iowans aged 15 to 24.     * 64 reported Syphilis cases - a 52 percent increase in reported cases over the last 10 years.     * 52 percent of the Syphilis cases were in Iowans aged 35 to 55. It's notable that the number of cases of STDs in Iowa would be even higher if HPV and herpes were reportable diseases in the state. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate up to half of STDs go undiagnosed. This is common because people may be unaware they have an STD. The initial signs and symptoms are often invisible, but the infection is still doing damage internally. Untreated STDs can cause rashes, sores, abdominal pain, surgery, infertility and even death. While many STDs are curable, any damage done to the body cannot be undone. The American Social Health Association estimates that every dollar spent on STD prevention saves $43 in the costs of STD-related complications. "This is an issue that must be talked about openly," said IDPH STD Program Manager Karen Thompson. "Parents and the community need to be open to talking about sexual health. Individuals must take the responsibility of asking for an STD screening when they have an annual exam or other doctor's appointment. STDs carry stigmas that make people embarrassed. But not talking about them or testing for them won't make them go away, and the results can be devastating." For more information on the 2007 report of sexually transmitted diseases in Iowa, go to www.idph.state.ia.us/adper/common/pdf/ disease_prevention_immunization/std_stats_2007.pdf. For more information on the IDPH STD program, visit www.idph.state.ia.us/adper/std_control.asp.

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