April is the month for STD awareness, which an annual event is made to promote STD testing throughout the nation and to educate and call the people’s attention regarding the impact of STDs. It’s two months past April. But that doesn’t meant that our awareness and advocacy towards the prevention and management of Sexually Transmitted Diseases should stop. Let us treat each month as if it were STD awareness month.
- STD cases
The number of STD cases across the country has been growing. Statistics shows that most people with STDs are those who are in the Adolescent and Young Adult brackets. Half of the patients with STD are people aging between 15 and 24. So it is really common in the young ones, which is quite alarming. This is the reason why healthcare providers should really focus on solving this problem, by lessening the cases of STDs in the country, especially HIV and AIDS. The primary and perhaps the best way to increase STD awareness and to prevent further cases of STDs is to educate the young patients about the importance of healthy and safe sex. Sexual health education can really make a difference. There are number of ways to increase the patients’ awareness on how to handle, treat, manage, or prevent STDS.
- Talking About STDs
Healthcare providers should really be the ones who will open up the subject about STDs. Most patients, especially the younger ones, are afraid or shy to start the conversation about STD. It’s the job of the healthcare providers to make the patients feel comfortable about the whole “talking” procedure. The focus of STD awareness should be the adolescents and young adults, mainly because half of the STD cases in the country affect people aging from 15 to 24. Healthcare providers should do something about this so that STD patients will be able to prevent further complications and long-term health consequences.
- Screening the Patients for STDs
Since the number of STD cases in the country has increased, there should be more STD screening given to those who are sexually active, especially those who don’t have stable partners. A screening is the best way to prevent the occurrence of STDs. It is also necessary in detecting the STDs at an early stage, which in turn helps prevent further complications and life-threatening effects of untreated STDs. A program like this should be promoted especially to those who are aging 15-24. Following this awareness and prevention program can really help lessen the number of STD cases in the future.
- Information
Patients with STDs should really be well-informed regarding their condition. This is important so that they will know what to do and how to deal with their condition. This is important so that the patients will be properly guided throughout the “healing” procedure.
Remember that Sexually Transmitted Diseases can lead to complications and can be life-threatening if left untreated. So if you are sexually active, get an STD screening once in a while, especially if you are having sex with different partners. And as always, practice a safe sex.