TERRENCE ATES NET Health

The NET Health Regional Laboratory performs testing of clinical specimens received from hospitals and clinics across East Texas for sexually transmitted diseases, or the more commonly used term, sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

Laboratory tests are used to identify the presence of syphilis serology, Neisseria gonorrhea and chlamydia. The cumulative number of cases is then reported to the Texas Department of State Health Services, which then reports Texas’ overall total number of STI cases to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Recently, the CDC released its 2017 STD Surveillance Report, which paints the national picture of STIs. Nearly 2.3 million cases of chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphi-

lis were diagnosed nationwide in 2017 — the highest levels seen in more than 20 years.

According to the DSHS’ 2016 STD Surveillance Report for the entire state, out of the 254 counties within Texas, Smith County is one of the 25 with the highest prevalence of chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis. The diagnosed cases of chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis don’t reveal the whole picture because most of these conditions go undiagnosed until symptoms are evident in the person. The cloak of anonymity becomes even more dangerous with the emerging threat of untreatable gonorrhea. New CDC findings show that gonorrhea is becoming resistant to antibiotics, adding to the concerns that a strain of gonorrhea may someday surface that does not respond to any type of antibacterial treatment at all — in other words, an STI superbug.

It is important to highlight that social and demographic barriers, such as poverty, stigma and geographic residence, exist. These may predispose an individual to having a higher risk of contracting an STI. It is even more important to comprehend that lifestyle behaviors may also factor into a person contracting an STI. Even though STIs can be transmitted to and by teenagers and young adults, they have also been reported in nursing homes and retirement communities, a trend that emphasizes that STI transmission is not a condition that discriminates by age, income, gender or cultural stereotypes.

Men and women of all ages, from teenagers to senior citizens, who may have more than one sexual partner should consult with a medical provider about understanding the benefits of practicing safe sexual behaviors, such as monogamy and condom use. The underlying public health issues relate to the continued awareness of sexually transmitted infections and the persistent education of personal responsibility.

Terrence Ates is director of Community Outreach at NET Health. Our article focuses upon a variety of health issues that hold importance to your community. If you have questions about this article or if you have topics that you want us to cover, send an email to ContactUs@netphd.org.