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Doctors are blaming the ride in
sexually transmitted diseases in several counties in the area on technology and
fighting back with a condom-finding smartphone app.
Dr. Paolo Troia Cancio is an
infectious disease specialist with CARES, an AIDS and STD prevention program in
Midtown. He says Sacramento County has the dubious distinction of being No. 3
for gonorrhea and chlamydia infections.
The most recent numbers show
Sacramento County’s chlamydia rate is more than 40 percent higher than the
state’s average, and gonorrhea is at about 50 percent over the state rate.
“It’s very alarming to us, because
we know there are some STDs that are curable, but there are other STDs that we
can treat, but cannot cure.”
He says while it’s not exactly clear
why the rate is so high, he has treated an increasing number of patients who
hooked up online.
Casual encounters are easy to find
nowadays with smartphone applications that find possible partners based on GPS
location in addition to the usual websites. But that easy fun is helping to
spread STDs.
“People can quickly find a casual
encounter, with basically no strings attached.”
A smartphone app called Condom
Finder (iOS, Android) can help find a prophylactic. CARES has set up free
dispensers at local businesses and the app helps find the closest one.
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!
