TCHD News 

TOMPKINS COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT
Alice Cole, RN, MSE – Public Health Director

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For more information contact Theresa Lyczko at 274-6714 or Karen Bishop at 274-6604

COMMUNITY COLLABORATIVE NOTES STD AWARENESS MONTH and ANNOUNCES NEW WEBSITE

(APRIL 6, 2009) – It has been one year since the collaboration began among Tompkins County Health Department (TCHD), Hammond Health Center at Ithaca College, Cornell University’s Gannett Health Services, Tompkins-Cortland Community College, Planned Parenthood of the Southern Finger Lakes and the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) to provide information and outreach on prevention, testing, and treatment of syphilis and other sexually transmitted diseases (STD). The partnership takes the opportunity during STD awareness month to urge anyone at risk for STD to get tested.

This community partnership began last year when the health department identified an increase in syphilis cases in the county. Between December 2007 and September 2008 there were 6 infectious cases. In the past 10 years there has been an average of one case per year. Syphilis is a highly contagious to sexual partners, yet it is a treatable disease. It can be transmitted when symptoms first appear (approximately 10 days) up to one year of infection.

The collaboration of health care and community organizations was successful in encouraging many people who thought that they were at risk for syphilis to be screened and treated. Local providers were informed of the increase in the number of cases and the signs and symptoms of the disease which can often be mistaken for other illnesses.

This spring the collaborative is launching an awareness campaign funded by a grant from the New York State Department of Health.  A new website was created www.tc-std.info with information on STDs in general, safer sexual practices, birth control, local testing locations and links to other reliable sites. Posters, drink coasters, and coffee cup collars have been distributed to local businesses to promote the website. Advertising on buses and in the media encourages empowerment and education for “peace of mind,” the website’s tag line.

STDs such as Chlamydia and gonorrhea are major causes of infertility among women.  Many STDs can increase the risk of HIV transmission, for both men and women.  In New York State (excluding New York City), Chlamydia is the most common reportable disease, with 68,725 reported cases in 2006, an increase of 6.5% from 2005. In Tompkins County, Chlamydia cases have increased from 167 in 2005 to 228 in 2007.

The number of infectious syphilis cases also continues to increase in New York State, with 736 cases reported in 2006, over four and a half times as many cases as in 2000.   In Tompkins County there were no cases from 1998 to 2001. From 2002 to 2006 there were one or two infectious cases each year. Five infectious cases were identified in the County in 2007 and 4 in 2008. No new cases were reported in 2009.  

Many STDs can be treated or cured.  STD testing and early diagnosis is critical to prevent serious health complications and further transmission of the disease.  Screening is particularly important since many STDs have no signs or symptoms. CDC recommends annual screening for Chlamydia for sexually active women under the age of 26.  Sexually active teenagers and young adults should be screened for STDs, including HIV. CDC also recommends that girls and women between the ages of 11 and 26 who have not been previously vaccinated or who have not completed the full series of shots, be fully vaccinated against HPV, a virus known to cause cancers and genital warts.

Testing for syphilis and other STDs is available at several sites in the County:

• Gannett Health Services for members of the Cornell community for a fee – 255- 5155
• Planned Parenthood of the Southern Finger Lakes – for all Tompkins County residents – free and confidential syphilis, HIV and other STD testing – 272 -1513
• Tompkins County Health Department – free, anonymous HIV testing only – 274-6616
• Hammond Health Center – for Ithaca College students only – syphilis, HIV and other STD testing available for a fee – 274-3177

For more information on STD prevention, testing, and treatment: www.tc-std.info

 

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