[Archived] Women's Health Week May 11-17

City Press Release


	City of Alexandria, Virginia Office of the City Manager Alexandria City Hall 301 King Street, Suite 3500 Alexandria, Virginia 22314-3211 www.alexandriava.gov Telephone: 703.838.4300 Fax : 703.838.6343

NATIONAL WOMEN’S HEALTH WEEK, MAY 11 – 17, 2003

In recognition of National Women’s Health Week, May 11 through May 17, the Alexandria Health Department is encouraging women to become more knowledgeable about their sexual health. Early diagnosis, treatment and preventing the spread of sexually transmitted diseases can prevent complications that occur if a woman is unaware of her infection.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has noted that many infections do not produce recognizable symptoms until a complication, such as Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID), has occurred. PID has occasionally resulted in tubal scarring that can lead to infertility or ectopic pregnancy. Because certain STDs are often asymptomatic (having or showing no symptoms), sexually active women at high risk for STDs should be screened annually. Women with more than one sexual partner and women whose sexual partner(s) have multiple partners are considered to be at risk for acquiring a sexually transmitted disease.

Pregnant women should also be screened for HIV/AIDS and STDs. All health care providers should discuss HIV testing with their pregnant patients, pointing out the substantial benefit of knowing their HIV status for the health of women and their infants. CDC recommends HIV screening as part of routine prenatal care for all women.

The rates of many STDs are highest among adolescent women. National statistics report the highest rate of chlamydia and gonorrhea infection occur among females 15 – 19 years of age. In the City of Alexandria for 2002, the Virginia Department of Health’s (VDH) Division of STD/HIV reported the rate of chlamydia infection among young women ages 10 – 19 years of age was 1,442 per 100,000 population (72 cases), and gonorrhea occurred at a rate of 280 per 1000,000 population (14 cases). Both chlamydia and gonorrhea can be cured. However, getting partners tested and treated is essential in breaking the chain of infection. Syphilis rates among women remain low in Alexandria and surrounding jurisdictions, but there is always a potential for infection in females because of the increasing number of cases occurring in the male population.

Call the VDH STD/HIV Hot Line, 1-800-533-4148, for more information or contact your local health department to be tested for HIV and receive screening for STDs. The Alexandria Health Department STD Clinic is free, CONFIDENTIAL, and open Wednesdays without an appointment, 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. For more information, please call 703-838-4388.