Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) are highly infectious diseases that spread mostly from sexual intimacy between partners. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), nearly 1 million new STD cases are reported every day across the Globe. What is eye-catching is that more than 50% of the cases are being reported from young generation people who fall between the ages of 15 – 24. In this article, we walk you through what are STDs, symptoms, types of STDs that are ramping up in New York City, and much more.
Table of Contents
What are STDs?
STDs are often interchangeably known as STIs which are expanded as Sexually Transmitted Infections. As the name suggests, diseases that spread from one person to another primarily through sexual contact are called Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) or STIs. Some types of STDs can also be spread via non-sexual contact such as exchanging used razors and accepting blood donation from an STD-infected person.
According to the Department of Health of New York’s surveillance, New York State (NYS) is ranked at the top followed by NYC regions including Bronx, Kings, Queens, and Richmond. The Rochester Region is ranked third after NYC.
Symptoms of STDs
Symptoms of STDs can vary according to the type of STD transmitted or acquired. The most commonly seen symptoms can resemble that of flu, such as headache, fever, body ache, and tiredness. When the disease progresses following symptoms can be exhibited
- Genital discharge
- Pain in testes (in men)
- Burning sensation while passing urine
- Abnormal vaginal bleeding (in women)
- Pain in the abdomen
- Rashes and itching
Most of the time, the symptoms appear late and may go unnoticed in the initial stage. The symptoms then occur when the disease has rapidly progressed and there will be an outbreak of symptoms like rashes all over the body and painful intercourse.
If you experience any of the symptoms, then get tested for STDs right away to know your condition for sure and to treat appropriately. Choosing the best lab can be a tough task, the following source provides you with top STD testing labs in New York, sorted by cost and location.
3 Types of STDs That are Most Spreaded in New York
New York is the busiest city in the World and has also been nicknamed “the City that Never Sleeps” always keeps everyone busy on their work and streets. Living in a city like New York can be very intimidating to hang out with strangers who you know very little about. Not to mention the fact that with the internet everything is just one click away, so does your one-time partner in bed.
There are more than 20 different types of STDs that are circulating and infecting sexually active people. However, not every type is widely spread, only a handful of them are tolling for the highest number of STD cases.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), New York State ranks 9th, 17th, and 11th among all US states in 2019 for the total number of diagnoses of chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis, respectively.
1. Chlamydia
Caused by a bacteria called Chlamydia Trachomatis. As of 2019, nearly 124,389 new cases have been diagnosed in New York State, an increase of 3.9% over the year 2018.
2. Gonorrhea
Caused by a bacteria called Neisseria Gonorrhoeae. As of 2019, nearly 40,896 new cases have been diagnosed in New York State which is an increase of 9.6% over the previous year 2018.
3. Syphilis
Caused by a bacteria called Treponema pallidum. As of 2019, primary and secondary syphilis diagnoses increased 8% compared to 2018. NY accounts for major cases of Syphilis STD comparing it to the national percent increase of 11.2% for the same period.
All the above data are studies published by a credible source – the New York Department of Health.
Treatment for STDs
Treatment for STDs varies widely depending on the type of STDs diagnosed. The case of STDs like Chlamydia and Gonorrhea which are bacteria-influenced can be cured with the help of antibiotics which terminate the invaded bacteria, thus reducing the symptoms and getting cured completely.
Some STDs have viruses as their causing agents, which makes them harder to cure even to date. Viruses-induced STDs like HIV and Herpes are difficult to cure as there are no antibiotics discovered to target and cure those types.
Even bacterial STDs like Chlamydia can be cured only if addressed at the initial stages. If you are sexually active and living in a city like New York, then get screened for STDs at least once every six months to detect if you have acquired any STDs at the very initial stage.
Conclusion
STDs are considered a worldwide epidemic. Certain cities such as NYC account for a whopping number of cases every year. It is always better to abstain from sexual intimacy, which prevents you from acquiring an STD in the first place than to practice monogamy and get treated if you acquire any, which has a high-risk rate of high risk of being infected by one. Spread awareness about these contagious diseases and help stop the spread of this epidemic.
