Mahaska Health Partnership Urges Regular Testing for STDs
Mahaska Health Partnership
MAHASKA COUNTY – Most people with a sexually transmitted disease show no signs or symptoms, or their symptoms are easily misdiagnosed as something harmless. Mahaska Health Partnership encourages all sexually active people to get tested annually.
“As we’ve seen cases of syphilis, Chlamydia and gonorrhea rise in our region, it’s imperative we stress the importance of regular screenings,” MHP Infection Control Coordinator Heather Cook, RN, BSN, said. “Just like people go to the dentist, have an annual mammogram or get a physical, they need to be tested for STDs if they are sexually active.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), STDs are most prevalent in young people ages 19-25, but can occur at any age. If left untreated, some STDs can lead to serious, life-long complications.
“Syphilis has some of the worst long-term side effects but it’s called ‘the great imitator’ because so many of its symptoms look like other issues,” Cook explained.
The CDC compares the painless sore a person would see right after getting infected to an ingrown hair, small cut or harmless bump. Next comes a non-itchy body rash on the palms of the hands or soles of the feet. Although these symptoms may sound harmless, the next stages can include affects to the eyes potentially leading to permanent blindness if left untreated.
Other silent STDs that can have serious, long-term complications include Chlamydia and gonorrhea. “We’re seeing occurrences of both of these infections in our community so the risks are real, right here at home,” Cook stressed.
The CDC explains that most people who have Chlamydia have no symptoms or, if symptoms develop, they may not appear until several weeks after infection. Even when it is causing no symptoms, Chlamydia can damage a person’s reproductive system.
Like Chlamydia, gonorrhea also has few symptoms which can also be easily dismissed as an innocent issue such as a bladder infection. “A common thread with all of these STDs is that the symptoms are invisible or easily misdiagnosed,” Cook stressed.
“That’s why it is so important to get tested regularly for sexually transmitted diseases. If you don’t know you have it, you can’t treat it.”
A primary care provider is a great place to get testes. Primary care providers are available at the MHP Medical Group, STD testing is available at the MHP Medical Group: Walk-In. For financial assistance to receive testing, contact MHP Public Health at 641.673.3257 to be connected with available resources.
As a Registered Nurse Heather Cook puts her 14 years of experience to oversee Infection Control and Joint Commission Standards at MHP. Her role involves monitoring protocols to minimize infection as well as tracking incidences to determine and remove causes while also managing MHP’s adherence to the high standards that go along with being a Joint Commission Accredited organization. For Heather, patient safety is always at the forefront.
Mahaska Health Partnership, located in Oskaloosa, is a non-profit health system accredited by the Joint Commission. It is guided by its mission to provide exceptional customer service and health improvement, linking the science of medicine with the humanity of compassionate care. For more information about how Mahaska Health Partnership is making healthcare personal, visit mahaskahealth.org.
