VICENZA -- According to the Army Public Health Report from the Army Public Health Center, there has been a rise in positive cases of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) within our community.
This rising trend is in line with a recent report from the Centers for Disease Control, which publicized the 2016 rate of STIs in the United States as being higher than ever reported for chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis.
In 2016, three people in the Vicenza Military Community tested positive for gonorrhea; there have been six cases since January. Chlamydia cases have also increased from 41 confirmed last year to 45 so far this year, a 37 percent increase in just eight months.
Educating the community on these risks is seen as the most effective solution to stop this unfavorable trend and the threat to the community. Many people carry an STI but are unaware because they don't have symptoms and haven't been recently tested. They may think they can have unprotected sex but don't realize they are spreading dangerous and potentially life-threatening infections to their partners.
Antibiotics help but create bigger problem
The immediate goal of STI screening for at-risk people is to identify and treat them before they spread the infection and develop complications such as cancer or infertility.
Screening also enables individuals to inform their sex partners so they also can be tested and treated. It is important to remember that many infections are still contagious during treatment, so complete abstinence is essential to ensure the infection is resolved completely and won't spread to others.
Even with appropriate treatment, the World Health Organization has advised that resistance to antibiotics for gonorrhea is occurring, creating a gonorrhea "superbug" strain which is being seen in more than 50 countries worldwide.
"The development of antibiotic-resistant strains means it's even more important than ever to take proper precautions or practice abstinence outside of monogamous relationships.
"While abstinence is the only perfect method of prevention, using a latex condom every time there is any sexual contact will greatly reduce the risk of infection from chlamydia, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis and HIV," said Lt. Col. Orlando Ruiz-Sosa, chief of Preventive Medicine for Army Public Health Nursing at the U.S. Army Health Center Vicenza. "Condoms may not protect completely against herpes, genital human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and HPV-associated diseases, e.g., genital warts and cervical cancer."
Contracting an STI will impact a person mentally and physically, Ruiz-Sosa explained. Mentally, it may cause depression, anxiety and loss of focus on the mission. Carriers may also have physical symptoms and miss unit training for more medical appointments, blood tests and medication management.
Prevention is key
The good news is that these infections are completely preventable, and there are free condoms in the Del-Din Clinic, USAHC-V Pharmacy, Primary Care and Preventive Medicine clinics. You can also purchase condoms at the PX, Shoppette, commissary, as well as at local pharmacies and pharmacy vending machines on the economy.
Anyone with signs/symptoms of a STI, or with concerns regarding possible exposure, is encouraged to make a primary care appointment for evaluation, treatment and testing or contact Army Public Health Nursing at DSN 636-9645, comm. 0444-61-9645. Make an appointment with your medical provider at www.TRICAREonline.com or call the clinic directly: Caserma Ederle: DSN 636-9000, comm. 0444-61-9000; Del Din: DSN 636-9880, comm. 0444-61-9880.
Additionally, if your partner has informed you he/she has an STI, or you suspect you have an STI, you may also report directly for testing at the Health Clinic laboratory on Caserma Ederle and request self-referred STI testing.
Results may take one to two weeks and will be available to access via the TRICARE Online Patient Portal "BLUE BUTTON" at https://www.tricareonline.com/portal/page/portal/TricareOnline/Portal.
(Passut is the Patient Advocate and Public Affairs Representative for USAHC-Vicenza.)
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