STD Testing

New Recommendations: Annual HIV Testing For All Sexually Active Females

Posted by SHAVAR on July 22, 2011

The Institute of Medicine weighed in this week about women’s heath and recommended, among other things, that ALL sexually active women receive annual counseling on STIs and get an HIV test each year. Federal honchos who make policy will review these recommendations and if they accept them (which seems likely) we can see such services covered under the new health care laws.

The sad fact is most women (and men, for that matter) aren’t having open, frank conversations about sexual health with their doctors and nurses. Also, they often aren’t getting the tests they need, such as HIV and chlamydia screening each and every year. Take control of your health: talk with your doctor and your partner about STDs. Read info on sites like this one to learn more about STD check-ups and how to protect yourself. If you’re sexually active (and you probably wouldn’t be here reading this otherwise!) seriously think about STD testing –especially an HIV test- if you’ve never done so. If you’re a sexually active female under age 26, an annual chlamydia test is almost surely a good idea (chlamydia is mind-blowingly common in teen-age girls and young women, but most don’t have symptoms). Simple, easy, and smart.

Guest Blog Post: Fred Wyand, Director at the American Social Health Association (ASHA)

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