Sexually transmitted disease diagnoses continue to increase across the country, with syphilis being the one exception, and Iowa is following the national trend. April is Sexually Transmitted Disease Awareness Month. According to Iowa Department of Public Health, data from 2018 shows 14,695 cases of chlamydia, a 5.85% increase from the year before, and a 28.3% increase in cases of gonorrhea with 4,839. Syphilis cases fell to 283, a 1.7% decrease. IDPH states it is unclear if the increases are due to increased transmission or increased access to testing, or both.

IDPH advises regular testing for the prevention and control of STDs, along with correct and consistent use of condoms. Many STDs present no symptoms or symptoms that can be confused with other conditions, so without testing those who are undiagnosed and untreated can be transmitting infections to others while being unaware. Early treatment prevents serious, long-term health issues that may result from these infections.