Earlier this year, we have mentioned that STD rates are rising rapidly all over the world. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has been finding ways to take control of the situation and prevent it from spreading further.
WHO has taken part in several conferences and conventions this year. One of which was the STI & HIV 2023 World Congress that took place in July. In fact, during the conference, WHO highlighted the need for efficient and reliable STD tests.
STD testing and the recent pandemic
Many authorities have traced the recent rise in STD rates back to the recent COVID pandemic, with the social distancing measures a key contributing factor.
Because of the pandemic, many resources were redirected to testing and preventing the spread of COVID-19. In fact, many places globally were found to experience reduced coverage in terms of testing, diagnosing, and preventing STDs.
On top of that, many nations reported a re-emergence of STDs that were previously clinically marginalised. One example is the development of antibiotic-resistant gonorrhoea. The bacterium causing gonorrhoea evolved, resulting in faster spreading due to its resistive nature to many classes of antibiotics.
What WHO had to say about the evolving situation
WHO reports that one million new STD diagnoses are made each day on a global scale. You do not have to be medically trained to know that these statistics are indeed alarming.
However, it can be complicated to understand the alarming trends that are developing in less developed nations. In fact, they are still suffering from the lack of proper diagnostic and testing coverage. Hence, many possibly new STD cases are still unidentified, which leads to the spread of STDs from one partner to another. This is further spread as many STDs display little to no physical symptoms.
Early testing and diagnosis are vital in the prevention of spreading STDs. According to the Singapore Department of Sexually Transmitted Infections (DSC), over 40 per cent of Singaporeans between the ages of 20 and 29 are found to be infected with one or more STDs. Many were not even aware of their status as STDs can remain dormant for a long time, and by the time they are diagnosed, the disease could have been spread to others.
WHO has updated its guidelines, highlighting the need to make testing and screenings more focused, more accessible, and more affordable to prevent further spreading. They have also demanded the need for new testing models that are adaptive and resilient to current and future trends.
WHO’s STD fact sheet
More than 30 various pathogens can be transmitted from one partner to another during sex. Out of those, there are four significant STDs that are highly transmittable – trichomoniasis, chlamydia, gonorrhoea, and syphilis. They can be cured if detected early.
These four STDS have contributed to more than 370 million new cases annually. When not diagnosed and treated early, they can lead to several severe consequences, such as pregnancy complications, cancer, infertility, and reproductive issues. They can also boost your risk of contracting HIV.
Because they are asymptomatic in nature, adequate testing is critical in preventing their development and spread.
Regular STD tests should be a must for every sexually active individual, even those who are in a monogamous committed relationship. While those in a monogamous relationship can go by with one test a year, those who have multiple partners and are deemed a high sexual risk should get tested several times a year.
They should get tested for common STDs, such as chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis, and HIV.
Conclusion
Fortunately, STD clinics such as Elyon Clinic offer rapid and affordable testing. Do not postpone your diagnosis and knowing of your status. The sooner you get tested, the sooner you can get treated should you be found to have contracted an STD.