STD Cases increasing in Iowa
Hunter
4/8/19
A report released this month from the Iowa Department of Public Health indicates that the number of cases of sexually transmitted diseases has increased in Iowa and around the country.
The report, issued last Monday, shows that although cases of syphilis decreased slightly, the number of chlamydia cases went up nearly six percent, and gonorrhea cases went up a staggering 28 percent.
The report doesn’t indicate if the rise is due to better reporting, increased transmission, or a combination of the two, but does say that there is an indication of a relationship between STD’s and drug use.
February’s national report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showed that the number of people infected with early stages of syphilis who also used methamphetamine more than doubled over the last two years.
The state Department of Public Health encourages regular testing for STDs and the correct and consistent use of condoms as a method of prevention.