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STD rates increase in Iredell
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Published: October 29, 2009
The number of diagnosed sexually transmitted diseases in Iredell County continues to climb.
While cases of HIV and AIDS have gone up just marginally, other diseases, such as chlamydia and gonorrhea, show larger increases, according to the latest statistics from the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services.
Reported chlamydia cases in Iredell increased to 385 between January and September 2009, up from
233 during the same period in 2007.
The numbers have grown by leaps and bounds, said Rochelle Eaton, peer counselor and abstinence coordinator Pregnancy Resource Center on Tradd Street.
The number of gonorrhea cases hasn't jumped as dramatically. About 163 gonorrhea cases were reported between January and September 2007, compared to 187 for the same period this year.
When the quarterly North Carolina HIV/STD Surveillance Report was recently released, state health officials said several counties were experiencing a significant increase in sexually transmitted diseases.
For instance, the number of syphilis cases in Mecklenburg, Forsyth, Wake and Wayne counties this year was at least double what was reported during the first nine months of 2008.
The Division of Public Health announced it planned to partner with health departments statewide to offer free testing for sexually transmitted diseases.
"Sexually transmitted diseases are not affecting one specific group of people," said Evelyn Foust, director of the N.C. Communicable Disease Branch, in a news release. "It is important that anyone who is sexually active know their HIV and STD status in order to protect their health and the health of their partner.
North Carolina reported 888 new AIDS cases and 1,358 HIV cases statewide during the first nine months of this year.
Around 106 Iredell residents are currently living with either HIV or AIDS, according to state's HIV/STD Surveillance Annual Report for 2008. This figure is up slightly from the 104 reported in the 2007 annual report.
According to the recent quarterly statement, five more AIDS cases were reported by the end of September, along with six more HIV diagnoses.
"A condom offers no protection from infection," Eaton said. "Even if people do use condoms, they can still get these diseases."
People should realize that choices often have harsh consequences, she said.
Eaton said statistics can change. It is important for people to take on a healthy view of sex, she said.
The best way to prevent pregnancy and being infected is to abstain from sexual intercourse, she said.
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