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According to Katrina Howard, a
communicable disease specialist with Coastal Health District, coastal Georgia
had a definite problem with very high STD rates. She stated that the high rate
of chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, and HIV were impacting the region and noted
an increase in young adults with HIV infection, including some even younger
than age 25.
The Georgia Department of Public
Health’s 2010 data show that the coastal region is fourth in the state for
incidences of STDs. The department recorded 800 reported cases of HIV and 1,221
reported cases of AIDS in 2008 as well as 4,494 reported STD cases in 2010.
Howard remarked that somehow individuals do not understand that they are
putting themselves at risk by having unprotected sex with a partner of unknown
health status.
Howard is part of a team trying to
slow rates of infection. She said they are testing people in the clubs, showing
up wherever the high risk is to do testing and using some of the newer methods
of testing. Howard believes it is up to community members to be responsible to
halt the rising numbers of STD cases. She emphasized that the community has to
accept that the problem exists, as it is going to take a community effort to
change things. She explained that the health district has provided a list of
testing locations in coastal Georgia and there are products available for
self-testing at home.
A list of county health departments where HIV testing is
available, including Savannah locations, can be found by visiting: http://www.firstcoastnews.com/onyourside/article/307321/9/Officials-work-to-lower-Coastal-Georgia-STD-rate.
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is
dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and
empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV
virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.
TOGETHER WE REMAIN STRONG!
