Wyoming Gonorrhea Cases Up Six-Fold From 2012

The Wyoming Department of Health [WDH] is reminding people to get screened for sexually transmitted diseases in light of big increases in those infections over the last few years.

Courtney Smith, the WDH  Communicable Disease Surveillance Program manager, says the rate of gonorrhea cases in Wyoming increased six-fold between 2012 and 2016. She also says that kind of explosion in STD numbers is not unique to Wyoming.

She says nationally 20 million new STD cases are diagnosed every year, with half of the infections occurring in the 15-24 age group. Smith says there are effective treatments for STDs, but screening and early diagnoses are very important.

Smith says there are effective treatments for STDs, but diagnosing the disease early is very important. Smith says there are certain groups of people who should especially be tested:

· Those who have been with a new partner in the past 60 days
· Those who have been with multiple partners in the past 60 days
· Pregnant women
· Sexually active males and females under the age of 25
· Those who have STD symptoms
· HIV-positive people
· Those who have had sexual contact with someone who has an STD
· Men who have sex with men
· Current or past residents of detention or correction facilities

Many people who have STD infections may not show any symptoms, making it especially important to get screened. Vouchers for free or reduced cost STD testing are available at this website.