The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in its 2015 STD Surveillance Report, revealed startling new findings on the rate of sexually transmitted diseases across the United States and the state of Connecticut.
Reportedly, the rate of the three most common STDs, chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis, has dramatically risen during the past few years. However, the rate has increased ever since and reached an all-time high during 2017-2018. In Connecticut, the CDC report revealed 2,088 cases of gonorrhea, 13,126 chlamydia, and 92 primary and secondary (P&S) syphilis cases were reported in 2015.
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Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are among the most common infections reported in the United States. According to the CDC, over 19 million men and women are impacted by STDs every year. The overall medical costs due to STDs incidence are estimated to be $14 billion per year.
In the USA, STDs are more prevalent among young adults and teenagers aged 15-24. Moreover, people from all ethnicities, races, and backgrounds are affected by STDs every year. Some STDs affect certain minority groups, such as African-Americans are 18 times more susceptible to contracting gonorrhea than whites. Similarly, females tend to be impacted more severely by STD-related health outcomes than males.
According to the 2015 statistics, Americans aged 15-24 accounted for around two-thirds of chlamydial infections in the country and half of gonorrhea cases. The rate of syphilis diagnoses in females increased by a whopping 27% between 2014 and 2016, while cases of congenital syphilis rose by 6% in the country. Men who have sex with men (MSM) accounted for most new gonorrhea and P&S syphilis cases.
Keeping these facts in mind, it becomes essential to keep track of your sexual health. CDC recommends that every sexually active individual make STD testing a part of their annual medical checkup.
"It is important for people to know their risk and to get themselves tested. All three of these diseases can be asymptomatic but still be transmitted to others and cause long term health complications. Fortunately, these are all infections that can be treated when caught early," suggested the coordinator of the Sexually Transmitted Diseases Program at the Department of Public Health (DPH), Dr Lynn Sosa.
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Use our confidential STD symptom checker to get an idea of what STDs/STIs your symptoms align with and what STD tests are recommended to you.
Start Symptom CheckerWhich Method of STD Testing is Suitable for Me?
Every sexually active individual must protect their sexual health. Regular STD testing is the only way to care for your sexual health. However, sometimes it becomes confusing to select the right testing method as there are so many options available. For your convenience, we have gathered information about all available STD testing methods in Connecticut. Check them out to find out which option is suitable for you.
This is one of the most popular ways to get tested for STDs today. These tests combine the best of both worlds for convenience and accuracy. You will order the test online at home, but you can walk into a professional lab testing center to get tested.
Another option is to simply visit your regular clinic and talk to your doctor.
If you do not want to visit a testing center, then a great alternative is an at-home test kit. You don’t even need to leave your house to get tested for STDs this way, which makes it the most discreet option. Everything is done through email and snail mail.
One last option for STD testing is a trip to a free clinic. If you go to a public STD-testing clinic, then you may get a free or discounted test, depending on your financial situation.
Learn more in our ultimate guide to STD testing.
It can be, but it does not necessarily have to be. What many people need to understand is that laboratory tests would most often than not be relatively pricey due to the technology that is being utilized behind these diagnostic techniques. However, opting for specific laboratories that offer more convenient testing procedures and discounted prices for diagnostic tests would help ensure that the price will not be much of an issue in providing you with the conclusive diagnosis of your condition. It might take some independent scanning to find the right testing center for you in the most acceptable price range, but it is not as impossible as many people make it out to be.
Considering that a wide variety of testing kits and laboratory procedures can be performed to determine conclusively whether you have a particular STD or not, the time that it will take for your results to return will also be subject to the same inconsistency. Although there are specific laboratories that could produce your results even by the end of the day (albeit, it is extremely rare for institutions to do so unless necessary), most would often take a few days to a week before the results are either delivered or posted online through your secure personal profile (in the case of online transactions). In addition to that, the capability of the laboratory performing the test may also contribute to the overall timeframe of result delivery – causing delays in cases where there are several requests or understaffed to provide expedited results.
For more information, skip to the FAQs section on this page.
Test Advisor
Know all about STD testing options, and the costs of different STD tests.
Connecticut STD Data
In 2015, CDC ranked Connecticut 42nd in chlamydia rates, 41st in gonorrhea rates, and also 41st in P&S syphilis rates out of the 50 US states. This indicates that the prevalence of STDs in Connecticut is relatively low compared to other states. However, a comparative analysis of STD statistics between 2015 and 2018 reveals that the cases rise every year.
Compared to the 2015 rates noted above, Connecticut reported a high number of STD cases. In 2016, 1,598,354 chlamydia cases were reported in the state marking a 4.7% increase from 2015, gonorrhea cases increased by 18.5% with 468,514 cases, and syphilis rate rose by 17.6% with 27,814 cases. According to DPH, in 2017, the state recorded 17,750 cases, 16,732 in 2018, and 15,920 in 2019.
Reportedly, there were 14,028 chlamydia cases reported in Connecticut in 2017, which is around 759 more than the number of cases reported in 2015. Furthermore, the state observed a 5.7% rise in chlamydial infections. Regarding gonorrhea, the state recorded 2,745 cases, around 653 more than in 2015 and a 31% rise. Syphilis cases were around 111, which is 12% high from 2015-16.
According to the DPH, in Connecticut, gonorrhea cases rose by 37% between 2013 and 2017, syphilis cases doubled from 10 cases in 2013 to 56 cases in 207, and chlamydia cases rose by 39%.
According to the State health profile formulated by the Centers for Diseases, CDC, the total number of newly diagnosed HIV cases in Connecticut in 2015 was 271. The state ranked 29th out of the 50 U.S states.
A report by AIDSVu indicated that in 2019 the total number of people living with HIV in Connecticut was 10,597 during the year 2019. In 2019 alone, the total number of newly diagnosed cases in the state were 213 people. The rate of people living with HIV in Connecticut per 100,000 population was estimated at 346.
In a Connecticut department of health data report published in 2020 it was noted that the total number of HIV related cases in the state was 220. Of the total diagnosed cases, 119 cases were reported from gay and bisexual men, 53 cases were diagnosed among heterosexual individuals, and 14 cases were due to the use of contaminated injection or drug use. According to the same report, the total number of reported cases from 1981 till 2020 in Connecticut was 22,019. In 2020 the total number of people living with HIV in the state was 10,705.
Hartford, New Haven, and Bridgeport reported the highest rates of STDs in 2016. Hartford reported 1,680 chlamydia cases, 415 gonorrhea cases; New Haven reported 1,125 chlamydia and 260 gonorrhea cases, and Bridgeport recorded 1,254 chlamydia and 314 gonorrhea cases.
Adolescent and young adult females are more vulnerable to STIs than males. In Connecticut, chlamydia is twice as common among females compared to males. Gonorrhea, however, used to be more common among women but is now more prevalent among males, particularly MSM. Syphilis is around eight times more common in men than women, and mostly MSM are impacted by this STD.
According to Connecticut's STD Control Program statistics, in 2014, around 752 non-Hispanic whites were diagnosed with chlamydia at a rate of 30 cases/100,000 population. On the other hand, African-Americans accounted for 1,997 of all chlamydia cases in Connecticut, at a rate of 532 cases/100,000 population. The third most impacted racial group was Hispanics, who reportedly accounted for 1,022 cases of chlamydia at a rate f 189.6 cases/100,000 population.
While Connecticut's cases of STDs are lower than other US states, it is crucial to understand that STDs are impacting specific populations disproportionately in Connecticut. Most chlamydia and gonorrhea cases are identified among males and females below 25 years of age. For syphilis, the most affected group is men who have sex with men and pregnant women. Since 2015, there have been several congenital syphilis cases in the state as well. In 2018, 2 such cases were reported in Connecticut.
According to the latest data published in a report by AIDSVu, the total number of people living with HIV in Connecticut was 10,597, and the rate of people living with HIV in the state in 2019 was 346. The same report revealed that 66.3% of the total people living with HIV in the state were males, while 33.7% of the people living with HIV were females.
Furthermore, AIDSVu identified that approximately 34.3% of the total people living with HIV in the state belonged to Hispanic backgrounds. 33.4% of HIV positive individuals were Black or African Americans, and 28.7% were white Americans from Connecticut. 26.8% of the total people living with HIV in the state were 45 to 54 years, 13.8% were aged between 35 to 44 years, 9.7% were aged between 25 to 34 years, and 1.9% belonged to the age group 13 to 24 years. Around 47.7% of the total people living with HIV in the state were 55 years or above.
Considering the newly diagnosed cases, the total numbers in 2019 were 213. The rate of new diagnosis per 100,000 population in the state was 7.76.5% of the individuals were males among the newly diagnosed cases while 23.5% were females. Of the number of newly diagnosed cases, 186 HIV positive individuals or 87.3% of the individuals were linked to HIV care. Of the total people living with HIV in the state, 8361 were receiving HIV related medical care.
It is worth noting that in 2019, the total number of HIV related mortalities was 202, and the rate of HIV related mortalities per 100,000 population in 2019 was 7. Of the total mortalities, 70.8% were male residents of Connecticut while, 29.2% were females. Most of the HIV related mortalities were recorded in black Americans.
The most commonly prevalent modes of transmission of HIV in male residents of Connecticut were male to male or gay sexual contact that accounted for 52.4% of the total people living with HIV. 14.8% of the cases were transmitted due to heterosexual contact while 26.3% of the transmission was because of contaminated syringes, primarily for drugs. In females, heterosexual contact was responsible for 64.5% of the transmission and 32.6% injection or syringe use.
Over the period of time, Hartford has surpassed New Haven in becoming one of the most populated cities in Connecticut. In 2019 alone, there were 3368 people living with HIV in Hartford alone. Out of the total numbers, 86 people were newly diagnosed with HIV in 2019 in Hartford, Connecticut.
The Department of Public Health in Connecticut is increasing its efforts to ensure healthcare providers report STD incidences responsible. The DPH focuses on increasing awareness about safe sex practices among people aged 15-24. This is the most affected population group in the state and accounts for the highest rates of chlamydia and gonorrhea.
Some of the key tasks of DPH include screenings in high schools, particularly those having school-based health facilities. Additionally, screenings are performed at colleges, and educational programs are organized across the state. The DPH mandates reporting of five common STDs, namely chlamydia, syphilis, gonorrhea, neonatal herpes, and chancroid. All of these can be treated if diagnosed at the right time.
The Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD) Control Program is an important initiative from the DPH to curb the growing rates of STDs in Connecticut. The mission of this program is to reduce the occurrence of STDs via disease surveillance, outbreak/case investigation, preventive therapy, and screening. Moreover, the program focuses on expanding access to preventive therapies, diagnoses and outreach, and improving education and case management facilities regarding STDs.
The Get Tested campaign started by Bridgeport's health and social services department is one of the many initiatives the state government took up to encourage people to get tested for STDs. This campaign promoted STD clinic hours and the significance of testing for STDs.
Connecticut State Department of Public Health has specialized programs that support individuals living with HIV in the state by providing medical and non-medical support services. Referrals and case management programs are also a part of programs specialized for HIV.
Community Health Center Association of Connecticut receives funds from Ryan White Part B to provide support services to people living with HIV. Some of the services provided under this program include medical or non-medical case management, treatment adherence, and HIV counselling and testing services.
The New Haven/Fairfield Counties HIV Ryan White Planning Council works towards reducing the number of HIV cases and improving the living conditions of people living with the virus. The services provided under this program include medical case management, mental health services, outpatient and ambulatory services, housing services and early intervention services. Other services such as emergency financial assistance, access to health insurance, medical transportation and support with medications are also provided. Low-income families with less affordability are given access to financial assistance programs for their treatment.
How Does it Work?
Most people experience feelings of hesitation when going to get tested for STD, despite knowing they might have contracted one. EasySTD was created to change that.
Visit your nearest lab or clinic, order your home testing kit online, and follow the given instructions from an STD testing provider.
After ordering your STD test, visit the testing center to get tested or take a self sample including urine, cotton swab, or finger prick with the home testing kit and mail it back.
Receive the lab-certified results of your STD test from your test provider via mail or phone within 2 to 3 days. If the test comes positive, consult your doctor immediately.
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A nucleic acid amplification test is a laboratory procedure that professionals often perform to make detecting a particular nucleic acid or gene being targeted easier and more convenient while still ensuring that the sample being collected is relatively minimal. Nucleic acid amplification tests, or NAATs, are usually the mainstay diagnostic test for most STDs due to their ability to detect the presence of pathogenic nucleic acids and genes in the patient sample with utmost accuracy and speed. NAATs depends on their ability to replicate the target RNA and DNA to create numerous copies – resulting in an increased convenience in the detection of the desired molecules instead of trying to either blindly look for one strand in a minuscule sample or collecting a large sample that could make the patient uncomfortable throughout the process. Although NAATs are often preferred for a more conclusive diagnosis of STDs, certain exceptions such as the availability of resources and instances of intermittent viral shedding could make NAATs less desirable than other tests. Fret not, however, as your physician is knowledgeable regarding these instances and would often request the best diagnostic procedure for your instances.
Yes. Certain companies offer at-home testing kits wherein you are the one that will collect the specimens necessary for the test at the comfort of your own home. Sure, it might sometimes be subject to errors due to the potential contamination of the sample from collection to transportation, but it does offer a great deal of privacy and convenience for patients who would prefer to have their identities hidden in fear that their community will judge them.
Depending on the test being performed and the testing physician's targeted diseases, various types of samples can be requested from you. In some instances, a minuscule blood sample of a few milliliters will be collected, some might ask for a urine sample, and others may opt for a genital swab. Again, the sample being collected will depend on the test being conducted and the outcome that is being targeted for this particular procedure.
Similar to how other testing procedures behave, false-positive results are still evident even in STD testing. False-positive and even false-negative results are standard instances that showcase the imperfection of the test’s design – a factor that is present everywhere. However, despite certain inconsistencies in laboratory tests as such, physicians commonly use confirmatory tests that would often take another path entirely to arrive at the same conclusion – solidifying the initial test’s diagnosis while still ensuring that the second test is not following the inconsistencies of the first.
It would vary depending on the condition that is being tested. STDs behave differently due to the varying pathogenicity of each STD’s causative organism. In some instances, you can get accurately tested as early as two weeks following exposure, while some are intermittently inaccurate due to its recurrence (much like in the case of herpes infections). To avoid this, be sure to discuss the intricacies of the test with your physician to understand whether a particular test could provide you with a conclusive diagnosis or if it still needs another confirmatory test to establish its premise.
Help stop the spread of STDs by knowing your status. Get tested today!
