County health officials say STD is on the rise

The number of young people contracting the sexually transmitted disease Chlamydia is going up in Cerro Gordo County, according to statistics from the Cerro Gordo County Department of Public Health.
    Chlamydia is a common sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis. It can be transmitted during vaginal, anal, or oral sex, or passed from an infected mother to her baby during vaginal childbirth. Any sexually active person can be infected with Chlamydia. The greater the number of sex partners, the greater the risk of infection.
    “We are seeing an increase in STDs nationwide and Cerro Gordo County is no exception,” said Betty Krones, Disease Prevention Specialist.  For example, in Cerro Gordo County, there were: 72 cases of Chlamydia in 2004, 78 cases in 2005, and  85 cases in 2006.
    Those were confirmed cases.  “Imagine how many people go untested,” Krones said. “Statistics for 2007 are not available from the state yet. However, just in my own clinic at the Cerro Gordo County Department of Public Health, I saw 29 cases in 2007. That’s just the number of people who came to my clinic. That does not include any other practice in Cerro Gordo County. We are facing unusually high numbers of Chlamydia in Cerro Gordo County.”
    Even though data is not available for 2008, the trend continues to go up. “As for 2008, I have already seen more cases than I did by this time in 2007,” said Krones. 
    A person can have Chlamydia and not show symptoms, yet continue to spread the disease through unprotected vaginal, anal, or oral sex.  If left untreated, Chlamydia can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) in women. Infertility and a potentially life-threatening condition call ectopic (tubal) pregnancy can also be caused by Chlamydia.  In men, it can lead to swollen testicles and infertility.  Having a Chlamydia infection can also make it easier to catch HIV if exposed to the virus.
    To encourage young people to get tested and treated if necessary, the Cerro Gordo County Department of Public Health is offering: a free walk-in clinic at the Cerro Gordo County Department of Public Health, 22 N. Georgia Ave. Suite 300, Third Floor of Mohawk Square) Tuesday, March 18, from 1-4 p.m. and Wednesday, March 19, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
    Only Cerro Gordo County residents are eligible for the testing. Testing can be done with a simple urine test.
    Those wishing to be tested must come prepared to give a urine sample and are not to urinate for one hour prior to testing.
    Abstinence is the best way to prevent Chlamydia infection.  Latex condoms for every type of sex will help reduce the risk of infection.  Limiting the number of sex partners will decrease risk as well.
    Chlamydia can be treated with an antibiotic, but it is common for re-infection to occur. 
    Residents in Cerro Gordo County who wish to be tested but are unable to attend one of the walk-in clinics may schedule an appointment by calling the Cerro Gordo County Department of Public Health, 641-421-9320.

For more information about Chlamydia and other STD’s visit the Cerro Gordo County Department of Public Health online:  www.cghealth.com.