FREDERICK, Md. (KR) April is STD Awareness month and the Frederick County Health Department is stressing importance of getting tested. Researchers say recent data shows an increase in multiple STD’s locally.
HIV Program Supervisor, Chris Lane, says early identification leads to treatment which, in turn, will reduce the number of people infected.
“It’s a way to help remind the community that these diseases are still an important part of the medical landscape in Frederick County. If everyone gets educated about STD’s and gets regularly tested and treated early in the infectious process, they will be healthier and the risk in the community will be reduced,” said Lane.
She said HIV is one of the diseases that has increased in Frederick County.
“New HIV cases increased by 71.4%. Seven cases in 2015 and twelve in 2016. The good news is that early syphilis cases of less than one year duration decreased by 27.3%, that’s 16 verses 21 cases,” said Lane.
Lane said, The Frederick County Health Department offers rapid HIV testing, free screening and treatment for people 20 years and younger, among other STD related services.