The following information is provided by the Georgia Department of Public Health and the Center for Disease Control:
What is an STD?
An STD (sexually transmitted disease) is an infection that can be passed through sex or sexual contact.
What is an STD?
An STD (sexually transmitted disease) is an infection that can be passed through sex or sexual contact.
STDs include:
How does Georgia rank among other states for STD burden? Georgia is #4 in the nation.
In 2017 Georgia:
Many people have an STD with no symptoms. If you have symptoms, you may notice any of these things.
- Bacterial Vaginosis (BV)
- Chlamydia
- Genital Herpes
- Gonorrhea
- Human Papillomavirus Infection (HPV Infection)
- Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)
- Syphilis
- Trichomoniasis
- HIV/AIDs
- Hepatitis B and C
How does Georgia rank among other states for STD burden? Georgia is #4 in the nation.
In 2017 Georgia:
- 4th for Primary and Secondary Syphilis
- 10th for Congenital Syphilis
- 6th for Chlamydia
- 9th for Gonorrhea
- Some STDs infect only your sexual and reproductive organs. Others (HIV, hepatitis B, syphilis) cause general body infections.
- Sometimes you can have an STD with no signs or symptoms. Or the symptoms may go away. Either way, you still have the STD until you get treated.
- STD is spread during vaginal, anal and oral sex, and sometimes by genital touching.
- Some STDs (HIV and hepatitis B) are also spread by contact with infected blood.
- STD germs need to live in warm, moist areas. That’s why they infect the mouth, rectum and sex organs (vagina, vulva, penis and testes).
- Don’t just hope the STD will go away. It won’t!
- Most county health departments have special STD clinics. Private health care providers also treat STD.
- If you don’t know where to get help, call your local family planning clinic for information. Your case will be kept private.
- You may feel embarrassed about having an STD. It may be hard for you to go to a provider or clinic for help. But you must get treatment for the STD. This is the only way you will get well.
- Many STDs can be cured. Others cannot be cured. But all STDs can and must be treated.
- Many STDs can be treated with antibiotics. Do exactly what your provider tells you. Be sure to use all of your medicine.
- You also must tell your sexual partner(s). If they aren’t treated, they can get sick. They can spread the STD. They might even give it to you again!
Many people have an STD with no symptoms. If you have symptoms, you may notice any of these things.
Protect Yourself
Stay Safe: Not having sex is the best way to protect yourself from STD. Having sex with only one uninfected partner who only has sex with you is also safe.
If You Have Sex:
- Use latex condoms with a water-based lubricant every time you have vaginal, anal or oral sex. Condoms will protect you from STD much of the time.
- Use plastic (polyurethane) condoms if you’re allergic to latex. These come in both male and female styles.
- Talk to your partner about past sex partners and about needle drug use. Don’t have sex with someone who you think may have an STD.
- Look closely at your Partner for any signs of STD- a rash, a sore or discharge. If you see anything you’re worried about don’t have sex.
Take Action:
- Get checked for STD regularly. Ask your health care provider to help you decide how often and which tests you should have.
- Vaccines can help protect you against hepatitis B and some types of HPV. Ask your provider if they’re right for you.
- Know the signs and symptoms of STD. If you notice a symptom that worries you, get checked!
If You Have an STD:
- Tell your sex partner(s). Your partner must get tested and treated too. Otherwise he or she could give the STD to someone else or back to you.
- Wait to have sex. Ask your provider how long after treatment you must wait.
National Statistics
The Following information is provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
Chlamydia
In 2017, a total of 1,708,569 cases of Chlamydia trachomatis infection were reported to the CDC, making it the most common notifiable condition in the United States. This case count corresponds to a rate of 528.8 cases per 100,000 population, an increase of 6.9% compared with the rate in 2016. During 2016–2017, rates of reported chlamydia increased among both males and females, in all regions of the United States, and among all racial and Hispanic ethnicity groups. Rates of reported chlamydia are highest among adolescent and young adults and have increased in recent years. In 2017, almost two-thirds of all reported chlamydia cases were among persons aged 15–24 years. Among women aged 15–24 years, the population targeted for chlamydia screening, the overall rate of reported cases of chlamydia was 3,635.3 cases per 100,000 females, an increase of 4.9% from 2016 and of 8.8% from 2013.
Although rates of reported cases among men are generally lower than rates among women, reflecting the larger number of women screened for this infection, rates among men increased almost 40% during 2013– 2017. Increases in rates among men may reflect an increased number of men, including gay, bisexual, and 2 National Profile Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: STD Surveillance 2017 other men who have sex with men (collectively referred to as MSM) being tested and diagnosed with a chlamydial infection due to increased availability of urine testing and extragenital screening.
Although rates of reported cases among men are generally lower than rates among women, reflecting the larger number of women screened for this infection, rates among men increased almost 40% during 2013– 2017. Increases in rates among men may reflect an increased number of men, including gay, bisexual, and 2 National Profile Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: STD Surveillance 2017 other men who have sex with men (collectively referred to as MSM) being tested and diagnosed with a chlamydial infection due to increased availability of urine testing and extragenital screening.
Gonorrhea
In 2017, a total of 555,608 cases of gonorrhea were reported to CDC, making it the second most common notifiable condition in the United States. Rates of reported gonorrhea increased 75.2% since the historic low in 2009 and increased 18.6% since 2016. During 2016–2017, rates of reported gonorrhea increased among both males and females, in all regions of the United States, and among all racial and Hispanic ethnicity groups.
During 2016–2017, the rate of reported gonorrhea increased 19.3% among men and 17.8% among women. The magnitude of the increase among men suggests either increased transmission, increased case ascertainment (e.g., through increased extra-genital screening among MSM), or both. The concurrent increase in cases reported among women, suggests parallel increases in heterosexual transmission, increased screening among women, or both.
Antimicrobial resistance remains an important consideration in the treatment of gonorrhea. Therapy with ceftriaxone and azithromycin is now the only CDC recommended treatment for gonorrhea. Since 2008, the percentage of isolates with elevated ceftriaxone minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) has remained low and was only 0.2% in 2017. During 2014–2017, the percentage of isolates with elevated azithromycin MICs increased from 2.5% to 4.4%. Continued monitoring of susceptibility patterns to these antibiotics is critical.
During 2016–2017, the rate of reported gonorrhea increased 19.3% among men and 17.8% among women. The magnitude of the increase among men suggests either increased transmission, increased case ascertainment (e.g., through increased extra-genital screening among MSM), or both. The concurrent increase in cases reported among women, suggests parallel increases in heterosexual transmission, increased screening among women, or both.
Antimicrobial resistance remains an important consideration in the treatment of gonorrhea. Therapy with ceftriaxone and azithromycin is now the only CDC recommended treatment for gonorrhea. Since 2008, the percentage of isolates with elevated ceftriaxone minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) has remained low and was only 0.2% in 2017. During 2014–2017, the percentage of isolates with elevated azithromycin MICs increased from 2.5% to 4.4%. Continued monitoring of susceptibility patterns to these antibiotics is critical.
Syphilis
In 2017, a total of 30,644 cases of primary and secondary (P&S) syphilis, the most infectious stages of the disease, were reported in the United States, yielding a rate of 9.5 cases per 100,000 population. Since reaching a historic low in 2000 and 2001, the rate of P&S syphilis has increased almost every year, increasing 10.5% during 2016–2017. Rates increased among both males and females, among all racial and Hispanic ethnicity groups, and in 72.0% of states and the District of Columbia.
During 2000–2017, the rise in the P&S syphilis rate was primarily attributable to increased cases among men and, specifically, among MSM. In 2017, men accounted for almost 90% of all cases of P&S syphilis and MSM accounted for 68.2% of reported P&S syphilis cases among women or men with information about sex of sex partners. In states with consistent information on sex of sex partner, the number of P&S syphilis cases increased 8.6% among MSM, 17.8% among MSW, and 24.9% among women during 2016– 2017. Among P&S syphilis cases with known HIV-status, 45.5% of MSM, 8.8% of MSW, and 4.5% of women were HIV-positive in 2017.
The 2013 rate of congenital syphilis (9.2 cases per 100,000 live births) marked the first increase in congenital syphilis since 2008. Since 2013, the rate of congenital syphilis has increased each year. In 2017, there were a total of 918 reported cases of congenital syphilis, including 64 syphilitic stillbirths and 13 infant deaths. The national rate of 23.3 cases per 100,000 live births represents a 43.8% increase relative to 2016 and a 153.3% increase relative to 2013. This increase in the congenital syphilis rate has paralleled increases in P&S syphilis among all women and reproductive-aged women during 2013–2017 (155.6% and 142.8% increase, respectively).
During 2000–2017, the rise in the P&S syphilis rate was primarily attributable to increased cases among men and, specifically, among MSM. In 2017, men accounted for almost 90% of all cases of P&S syphilis and MSM accounted for 68.2% of reported P&S syphilis cases among women or men with information about sex of sex partners. In states with consistent information on sex of sex partner, the number of P&S syphilis cases increased 8.6% among MSM, 17.8% among MSW, and 24.9% among women during 2016– 2017. Among P&S syphilis cases with known HIV-status, 45.5% of MSM, 8.8% of MSW, and 4.5% of women were HIV-positive in 2017.
The 2013 rate of congenital syphilis (9.2 cases per 100,000 live births) marked the first increase in congenital syphilis since 2008. Since 2013, the rate of congenital syphilis has increased each year. In 2017, there were a total of 918 reported cases of congenital syphilis, including 64 syphilitic stillbirths and 13 infant deaths. The national rate of 23.3 cases per 100,000 live births represents a 43.8% increase relative to 2016 and a 153.3% increase relative to 2013. This increase in the congenital syphilis rate has paralleled increases in P&S syphilis among all women and reproductive-aged women during 2013–2017 (155.6% and 142.8% increase, respectively).
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United States: Sexually Transmitted Disease Surveillance 2017
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United States: 2015 Health Profile
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Georgia Statistics
This information is provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
HIV/AIDS Epidemic
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In 2015, an estimated 39,393 people in the United States were diagnosed with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. About 1 in 7 people with HIV in the United States do not know that they are infected.
In 2015, an estimated 2,381 adults and adolescents were diagnosed with HIV in Georgia. Georgia ranked 5th among the 50 states in the number of HIV diagnoses in 2015.
In 2015, an estimated 2,381 adults and adolescents were diagnosed with HIV in Georgia. Georgia ranked 5th among the 50 states in the number of HIV diagnoses in 2015.
Adolescent and School Health
Many young people engage in sexual risk behaviors that can result in unintended health outcomes. Sexual risk behaviors place adolescents at risk for HIV infection, other sexually transmitted diseases, and unintended pregnancy. However, there has been a nationwide decrease in the percentage of adolescents who have ever had sex:
- 24% of 9th graders have reported ever having sex in 2015 compared to 34% in 2005.
- 35.7% of 10th graders have reported ever having sex in 2015 compared to 42.8% in 2005.
Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)
Syphilis
Primary and secondary (P&S) syphilis (the stages in which syphilis is most infectious) remains a health problem, primarily among men who have sex with men, but congenital transmission of syphilis from infected mothers to their unborn children persists in many areas of the country.
- In Georgia, the rate of primary and secondary syphilis was 14 per 100,000 in 2015, 13.2 per 100,000 in 2016, and 14.4 per 100,000 in 2017.
- There were 102 cases of congenital syphilis from 2013 through 2017.
Chlamydia & Gonorrhea
Untreated STDs are a common cause of pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility and chronic pelvic pain. In addition, they can increase the spread of HIV, and cause cancer. Pregnant women and newborns are particularly vulnerable.
In 2017, Georgia:
In 2017, Georgia:
- Ranked 6th among 50 states in chlamydial infections (631.4 per 100,000 persons) and ranked 9th among 50 states in gonorrheal infections (219.8 per 100,000 persons).
- Reported rates of chlamydia among women (687.4 cases per 100,000) were greater than those among men (363.1 cases per 100,000).
- Ranked 5th among 50 states in chlamydial infections (614.6 per 100,000 persons) and ranked 3rd among 50 states in gonorrheal infections (201.2 per 100,000 persons).
