Although preventable, the number of sexually-transmitted diseases are on the rise across the nation, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
New cases of chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis spiked 10% in 2017. Here in Allen County, cases are up as well, with 300 plus cases of chlamydia and 150 plus cases of gonorrhea so far this year. Health officials are encouraging people who feel they're at risk to get tested and treated if needed. You may not be showing any symptoms and still be carrying an STD, infecting others and reinfecting yourself. There are several local resources in our area where you can get tested.
"Here at the health department, what we do is those cases get reported to us and we follow up on each and every one of those cases to make sure that the individual received proper treatment, that they understand the importance of notifying their partners," explained Deb Roberts, Director of Nursing at Allen County Public Health.
Roberts says if you're hesitant to notify those you have been with, they have public health nurses that can do that anonymously.
