Pandemic fuels continued rise in STDs among youngest sexually active adolescents - The CT Mirror
Pandemic fuels continued rise in STDs among youngest sexually active adolescents - The CT Mirror |
| Pandemic fuels continued rise in STDs among youngest sexually active adolescents - The CT Mirror Posted: 29 May 2021 05:05 PM PDT
The fallout from the pandemic has run the gamut from an unstable economy to an uptick in social-emotional problems. Experts suggest the pandemic may also be responsible for a continued upward trajectory in sexually transmitted diseases among Connecticut's youngest sexually active residents. Conditions during the pandemic, including less access to sexual health care and more free time, have helped to exacerbate the trend among young people, say health care providers. "Most parents are working. Students are home alone. They are having friends over," said Ceri Burke, a nurse practitioner at Danbury High School's on-site health center. "There's an increase in sexual activity among the kids I'm seeing." These factors, coupled with recent data trends, suggest a continued upward trajectory of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) during the pandemic among adolescents, with Black teens being disproportionately affected. In 2019, national data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) showed STDs had risen to their highest level for the sixth consecutive year, a statistic some blame in part on the Trump administration's dismantling of accessible and affordable health care and associated educational resources and programming. Adolescents and young adults (ages 15-24) make up a disproportionate share of these numbers; adolescents of color are especially hard hit. CDC data from 2018, for instance, showed the rate of reported chlamydia cases among Black females aged 15–19 years was 4.5 times higher than among their white female counterparts; for Black males in this age group, the rate was 9.1 times higher than white males in the same age range. And in Connecticut, the chlamydia rate among women ages 15 to 24 was nearly 12 times higher among Blacks than among whites in 2014, according to data from the state Department of Public Health (DPH). Further, statistics point to similar differences along racial lines for other STDs. Virtual education continued during the pandemic A program at Yale has sought to better understand and address these disparities. The Yale Center for Health & Learning Games is working to empower Black adolescent girls around dating and sexual experiences. Virtual focus groups with Black teen girls have been a big part of this endeavor. "We really wanted to understand what it means to date as a Black teen girl," said the center's deputy director, research scientist Kimberly Hieftje. The focus groups revealed barriers to healthy attitudes about sexuality common to this demographic: hypersexualism, colorism and other stereotypes. These challenges, coupled with a mistrust of health providers, impact Black teen girls' attitudes and behaviors around sexual health, Hieftje said. To help combat these challenges, the center has devised a video game that uses role-playing and requires users to navigate situations like discussing condom use with their partners and getting tested for STDs. Ultimately, the purpose is to empower players to become adept at controlling their sexual health. The center's researchers hope to make it available for use in schools and other public forums. Elsewhere in Connecticut, virtual sex education efforts have continued during the pandemic. For example, Planned Parenthood of Southern New England offers a peer education program, STARS (Students Teaching About Responsible Sexuality), promoting healthy relationships through responsible choices. As part of the program, Planned Parenthood trains teens to respond to basic questions from their peers on sexuality-related topics and recognize when and how to make referrals to professional sources. During the pandemic, the peer ambassadors created videos on TikTok about STDs and the importance of getting tested for them—a service that, along with STD treatment, is among Planned Parenthood's most utilized. Access to sexual health services declined during pandemic Knowing about the importance of STD testing isn't the same as having easy access to testing. Since March 2020, when schools in Connecticut closed their doors—some for several months—adolescents have had reduced access to convenient, confidential sexual health services that protect against and screen for sexually transmitted diseases. In a typical year, school-based health centers (SBHCs) serve as the most convenient, accessible and confidential source of sexual health services for adolescents. According to the DPH, 20,216 students made 62,159 medical visits to school-based health centers in 2018-2019, an average of 3.1 visits per student. SBHC health care providers routinely ask adolescent patients if they're sexually active. When patients respond in the affirmative, they are urged to undergo confidential STD testing; a right afforded to all minors 12 years and older under Connecticut state law. Many SBHCs also provide testing services on site. But during the pandemic, as schools operated remotely or in a hybrid capacity, even SBHCs that did not close saw far fewer students. Angela Matera, a nurse practitioner at Stratford High School's SBHC, says she usually sees 14 kids a day, five days a week, 190 days a year for various medical needs. That changed during the pandemic. "It was a lot more uncomfortable for these kids," said Matera, who tracked students on a spreadsheet during the pandemic and attempted to contact those she deemed high risk. Since March 2021, when students in Stratford returned to campus, Matera has seen "an enormous rise" in positive STD cases: nine cases of chlamydia, two cases of oral chlamydia and gonorrhea. "That's a jump," Matera said. Other health care providers also report having less contact with adolescent patients during the pandemic. Dr. Alyssa Bennett, head of adolescent medicine at Connecticut Children's Medical Center, says many teens who might normally be tested for STDs were slipping through the cracks during the pandemic. "It's very hard to test a patient for an STD if they're not in your clinic," she said. Bennett says she inquires about sexual activity during the private, one-on-one portion of the visit with her adolescent patients, a practice recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics. She then offers to perform STD testing. "I very rarely have teens decline testing once they know we can provide it confidentially," Bennett said. But many adolescents are unaware of their legal right to confidential sexual health services. It's just one of several gaps in adolescents' sexual health awareness. Bennett says that many adolescents don't know you can be asymptomatic with an STD. "If you don't ask a teen if they're having sex, you're not going to think about asking about [STD] testing," Bennett said. This story was first published May 27, 2021, by the Connecticut Health Investigative Team.  |
| 7 Best HIV At-Home Test Kits (2021) - Healthline Posted: 23 May 2021 12:00 AM PDT  HIV damages the body's immune system. But with treatment called antiretroviral therapy, HIV is a manageable health condition. In fact, treatment can make HIV undetectable in the body, which makes the virus untransmissible sexually. This is known as U=U. About 1.2 million people in the United States live with HIV today, and 14 percent of them (1 in 7) don't know they have it. At-home HIV tests are one way to know HIV status. They can help eliminate an in-person doctor's visit and save you time, and help get treatment started sooner if needed. Read on to learn about the different types of at-home HIV tests, plus our recommendations. There are two types of at-home HIV tests on the market. It's important to follow the test's instructions carefully, which may vary by test:
There are also different methods that can scan for HIV:
To compile this list, we looked at at-home HIV tests offered by CLIA certified labs, their cost, results for delivery time, insurance or health savings spending approval, and ease of purchasing. Best overallEverlywell
This test screens for HIV antibodies. Tests can be purchased on the Everlywell website or at Walmart or Amazon. When you send the blood sample, it will be tested at a CLIA certified lab. Your information is stored in an encrypted system that accommodates HIPAA security. You'll get a detailed digital report with your results. The test screens for antibodies that can take 23 to 90 days to be detectable after exposure. This HIV test can usually detect an HIV infection in only 18 to 45 days after exposure because it also checks for HIV p24 antigens (viral proteins) in the blood. If test results are positive, you can connect with Everlywell's physician network at no additional cost. Best for frequent testingLetsGetChecked
LetsGetChecked is a testing company that offers several options at various price points. The HIV test is included in a combo package called the Standard 5, which checks for:
The other option is to purchase the Complete 8 package. It includes the five STIs listed above and the bacteria Mycoplasma, Ureaplasma, and Gardnerella (bacterial vaginosis). The price for the Complete 8 is $349. After the lab results are ready, a physician will review your report. You can then arrange a call with a LetsGetChecked clinician if you have any questions or concerns. If medication is needed, you can get it at no additional charge. Prescribing guidelines vary by state and diagnosis. All shipments arrive at your door in discreet packaging. The membership option sends you tests every 3 months. Best for fast deliverymyLAB Box
The myLAB Box HIV test is a combination antigen/antibody test. The test detects HIV p24 antigen and antibodies to HIV type 1 (HIV-1 groups M and O) and HIV type 2 (HIV-2) in human blood. According to the company, the test is 99.9 percent accurate. Each test kit comes with detailed instructions and illustrations. The test uses a self-collected finger prick blood mailed to a qualified lab. The company says two-way postage and lab service fees are included in the cost. MyLAB Box also offers post-test counseling via telehealth to provide assistance and to answer your questions. You retrieve test results by logging into a secure portal. MyLAB Box tests are also available via Amazon. Best HIV-specific optionVerisana
Through Verisana, you can order an HIV test or combination STI testing package. You collect your blood sample, send it back to them, and Verisana will provide you with your HIV status. If test results are positive, Verisana encourages you to talk with your doctor about treatment options. There's no counseling option available through their service. You can purchase the test through their website or Amazon. You can order an HIV test or combination STI testing package, which ranges from $199.95 to $299. Like the others on this list, Verisana uses CLIA certified labs. Best flexible optionHealth Testing Centers
This discreet at-home antigen/antibody combination test scans for the p24 antigen and antibodies for HIV-1 and HIV-2. The test kit will be mailed via USPS. You'll receive a dried blood spot card and other test kit materials. You then ship your sample via USPS back to the laboratory. Once your results are ready, an email will advise you to log into your account to view your results. The company uses a CLIA certified lab. Kits can be canceled anytime before sending the sample to the lab, but there is a $25 fee to cover the kit costs and shipping. Best for tracking in an appiDNA
Private iDNA offers Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved testing for HIV-1 and HIV-2, as well as other STIs. The kit will arrive in a plain, unbranded package. It comes complete with easy-to-follow directions for taking your own samples. Once you receive the test, send the blood sample back and the company will test it at one of its CLIA and CAP accredited labs. There are three shipping options: first class, business, and overnight. Shipping is charged after you enter credit card information. Users can track their test from administration through testing and read their results online or in its app. You can also receive results through email. Private iDNA doesn't offer physician support if tests results are positive. Instead, the company offers a free retest to confirm the results. Best budget optionOraQuick
This is the first FDA approved at-home HIV test on the market. It tests for antibodies. To get tested with OraQuick, you only need an oral swab. All orders are delivered in an unmarked brown box to ensure privacy. The OraQuick may detect HIV within 2 weeks of infection, but it may take longer depending on the person. Experts caution users should view the results as preliminary. The kit includes step-by-step instructions. All results are confidential. It screens for HIV-1 and HIV-2. A positive result does not mean definitively mean infection, only that more testing is necessary. A negative result may not be accurate if you have been exposed within the last 3 months. Are at-home HIV tests accurate?The results of at-home HIV tests are more than 99 percent accurate. Only OraQuick is cautioned to be preliminary. According to a 2018 article published in The Lancet, "Self-testers can reliably and accurately do HIV rapid diagnostic tests, as compared with trained health-care workers." Who should get tested?Everyone between the ages of 13 and 64 should get tested at least once in their life, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Some people have a higher risk of contracting HIV, according to HIV.gov. Even if you've had a past test, it's recommended to get retested if you answer yes to any of the following questions since your last test:
How often should I get tested?Men who have sex with men may benefit from more frequent testing (for example, every 3 to 6 months). Many people have HIV for years and don't know it. People with a higher risk of contracting HIV should get tested more frequently. Even if you are in a monogamous relationship, consider getting tested with your partner. It's also a good idea for pregnant people to get tested. If they have HIV, treatment can help prevent transmission during pregnancy. Should I take an at-home HIV test or get one at the doctor's office?There's no special preparation necessary to get an HIV test. Choosing one or the other may be a matter of convenience. If you want to talk with a doctor in person after taking the HIV test, an office visit may be better for you. When should I be tested?Most tests look for antibodies that the body produces to fight HIV infection. They don't develop immediately, but do start to show up within a few weeks to 6 months. Will I have to pay for the test out of pocket?Most insurance companies pay for HIV tests, as do most plans under the Affordable Care Act. Some pharmacies or community health centers offer free testing too. Some at-home tests can be paid for with a health spending account. But directly purchased tests may not be covered by private health insurance or Medicaid. Check with your insurance provider or your doctor about reimbursement before buying one. Will anyone know my result?If you take an anonymous test, no one but you will know the result. If you take a confidential test, your test result will be part of your medical record. It's protected by state and federal privacy laws. Should I share my result with others?Yes. It's very important to share your status with your sexual partners. You may disclose your status to others if you wish, but you're under no obligation. While insurance companies must have your permission to view your health record, you may be charged higher prices with a chronic condition. Federal law now prevents insurance companies from denying coverage to people who have HIV or AIDS. And there may be a waiting period before a chronic condition is covered by insurance. Does a negative HIV test mean my partner has the same result?No. Your HIV test only indicates your status. Partners may have differing results. What are some early symptoms of HIV?Some early symptoms of HIV are:
Better access to HIV testing allows people to start treatment sooner. Today, there are many easy, convenient options for testing. You can walk into your neighborhood pharmacy and pick up an at-home HIV test or order one online. HIV is no longer the devastating disease it was in the 1980s and 1990s. Thanks to advancements in medicine, HIV is now an incredibly manageable condition, and people with HIV can live a long, healthy life. Tracee Herbaugh is a writer and journalist who lives in the Boston area. She writes about culture, lifestyle, health, and family relationships. You can view her workonline or find her onTwitter.  |
| You are subscribed to email updates from "most common std" - Google News. To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now. | Email delivery powered by Google |
| Google, 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043, United States | |
Comments
Post a Comment