While it may not be a comfortable topic, STDs are a health topic of growing concern and TriCounty Health Department is urging education, testing and prevention. According to TriCounty Nursing Director Nicole Smith, the spread of STDs is a problem in the Basin especially among youth ages 15 to 25. While that age group only accounts for 25 percent of the sexually active population, they make up 50 percent of cases of STDs. Chlamydia is the most common STD in the Basin followed by Gonorrhea, shares Smith, who also emphasized that there are 20 million new cases of STDs in the United States annually, costing the U.S. more that 17 million dollars. Abstinence is the only guaranteed way to prevent STDs. For those that are sexually active, being in a long term mutually monogamous relationship with a partner who has also received a negative STD result is the best way to reduce the risk. Smith says proper use of condoms can reduce the risk. TriCounty Health offers testing and services for those with STDs. Visit
www.tricountyhealth.com
for more information on services offered.
