Herpes, Chlamydia and other STDs Are Setting Records. But Why Now?

Except for HIV, the number of STIs/STDs has been growing for two decades, and surged during the pandemic. People aren’t having more sex, so… why is this? It’s a touchy subject, but it doesn’t have to be. For most adults, having sex is a natural part of a healthy life, but when it comes to talking about STDs, that’s easier said than done. Sheena is joined by Wendy McDonald, MD, (@dreverywoman), certified sex educator @Laureen HD and Alison Marshall, FNP-C to share practical advice on how to talk with partners, what to expect from your doctor and how to navigate this tricky landscape. Please SUBSCRIBE! ►► https://bit.ly/pbsvitals Let’s Connect: IG:   / pbsvitals   Twitter:   / pbsvitals   Facebook:   / pbsvitals   Find our experts and hosts: :: Sheena William, RN :: Twitter: @Keepingitkinky1 Instagram: @keepingitkinky :: Alok Patel, MD :: Website: http://alokpatelmd.com/ Twitter: @AlokPatelMD Instagram: @alokpatelmd Our Guests: Dr. Wendy McDonald is a Chicago-based OB-GYN. https://www.dreverywoman.com/ IG: @dreverywoman Laureen HD is a certified sex educator, video creator and podcaster who makes videos about sexual health and eliminating the stigma around STIs. YouTube: @LaureenHD IG: @LaureenHD Alison Marshall, FNP-C, RN, MSN is a clinical instructor at the Boston College School of Nursing, and is currently completing her Ph.D. She sees patients at the Sylvie Ratelle STD/HIV Prevention Center of New England. Twitter: @AOMFNP And more of our sex educator friends: TikTok: @itsmillyevans YouTube: @DrAllisonKRodgers TikTok: @dr.allison.rodgers Want to Learn More? Surge in STI Cases Over Time https://www.cdc.gov/std/statistics/20... Details on Specific Conditions https://www.cdc.gov/std/default.htm Chlamydia as "The Silent Infection" https://www.cdc.gov/std/chlamydia/std... Some Options For Free or Low-Cost Testing https://www.healthline.com/health/hea... https://www.plannedparenthood.org/lea... Drop in Funding For STI/STD Prevention https://www.ncsddc.org/as-std-funding... Specific Issues For Adolescents https://www.cdc.gov/std/treatment-gui... Research on Post-Exposure Docycycline https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056... This episode of Vitals is licensed exclusively to YouTube. 00:00 STI cases are setting records 01:17 When you need to see the doctor? 02:59 Asymptomatic spread 03:39 What happens if untreated? 05:01 Living with herpes 07:53 Communicating with partners 09:00 What's causing the surge in STIs? 10:24 Personal protection 11:03 Issues around testing