Free STD Testing in Vallejo, CA

Considered part of the San Francisco Bay area it really isn’t surprising to learn that the city of Vallejo is also dealing with high STD rates. Recent statistics released by the CDC and California Department of Health indicate that infection rates are up in the Bay area.

With statistics showing the number of sexually transmitted diseases reported each year is increasing, some residents have taken their own measures to help slow down the spread of STDs. While preventative steps will help lower percentage rates, statistics indicate that more needs to be done to ensure residents are protected.

It is not only teens that are testing positive for STDs, but more adults are also becoming infected. The bayside city had the fourth highest rate of Chlamydia incidents in the state in 2010, and these numbers have only risen in the last few years.

Located in Solano County the friendly city is also seeing a growing number of residents test positive for primary and secondary Syphilis. In 2005 less than 10 percent of males tested positive for the potentially devastating disease, and this number has almost double according to data released in 2014 by the city’s health jurisdiction. Other statistics that indicate the city is experiencing the same high STD rates as the rest of the state include,

• In 2014 statistics showed that Gonorrhea infections are more prevalent in Native American women than any other ethnic group.
• Syphilis is more often diagnosed in men between the ages of 25- 29 according to 2014 data.
• Women ages 20 to 24 have a higher risk of contracting Chlamydia according to statistics released by the CDC in 2014.

The state of California is one of the few that requires all public schools to include sexual education programs in the classroom in an effort to slow down the spread of STDs, and the city of Vallejo has taken this one step farther.

In 2012 the city became one of the first to offer classes to parents in the hope that this will make it easier for them to have open and honest discussions about sex. Surveys have shown than over half off high school students engage in sexual activity before graduation, and with STD rates rising in the community and around the nation city leaders knew that something needed to be done.

Even though it is too soon to tell if these innovative programs are working, many parents and teenagers are already noticing an improvement in communication. City leaders are hopeful that as more parents learn how to talk to their children about practicing safe sex and educators continue to teach students how to protect themselves the STD rates will finally start to decrease.

Included in these programs is information regarding the importance of regular HIV testing in Vallejo. The simple test only takes a few minutes, and it could potentially save your life. Regular Herpes testing in Vallejo is also important, especially if you or a family member is a student at one of the local high schools.

Located on the shores of San Pablo Bay and considered part of the San Francisco Bay area, it is hard to find another city with such a diverse demographical makeup. While this does add to the attractiveness of the area, it can also make it difficult for health officials to get STD percentages under control.

There is a large Hispanic and Native American population that is also at the greatest risk for contracting a sexually transmittable disease, and the deep mistrust many members of these communities feel for officials makes it difficult for health workers to stress the importance of regular testing. Difficulty finding a community health care facility is also contributing to the problem, along with an inability to afford the tests due to economic problems in the area.

While newly implemented educational programs are trying to impress upon students and their parents how important regular STD testing is to their continued good health, many people still believe that a sexually transmitted disease will never happen to them. This mistaken belief can also make them more likely to engage in risky behaviors which only increase their chances of contracting a STD.

Advances in treatments and medications have also made STDs seem less serious, even though many of these viruses could cause serious health complications. Until everyone understands how important regular health screenings are the number of residents who test positive each year will continue to rise.

Your sexual health is important and that means that you need to set aside time to get tested regularly even if it has been awhile since you’ve had sex. With the number of people infected continuing to rise each year your chances of contracting a STD also increase. If you want to avoid the extremely long lines at the clinics or simply don’t want to risk running into someone you know you can always schedule confidential STD testing. All it takes is one simple phone call to set the appointment and a few minutes of your time at a local lab. It only takes a few minutes of your time, and the simple test could help save your life.

Reference:

http://www.timesheraldonline.com/general-news/20120720/vallejo-is-launch-site-of-statewide-parental-sex-education-program