PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Clackamas County health officials say that sexually transmitted infections are an epidemic in the county.
Officials say that the rise of STIs in Clackamas County, including Chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis, mirrors national trends. Between 2012-2016, Chlamydia rates in the county increased 26 percent and gonorrhea rates increased 162 percent.
There is not a direct cause for the increase, officials say. It is likely a mix of social, cultural and structural factors.
In Clackamas County, rates of STIs are increasingly high among young people ages 15 – 24, women, people of color, and LGBTQ+ individuals.
STIs can cause reproductive and health problems but are preventable and treatable. Here are some tips from Clackamas County:
· Use condoms consistently
· Get tested regularly and request that your partners also get tested – every six months if you have multiple sexual partners
· Take your full course of antibiotics if you test positive for an STI
· Recommend that your sexual partners get tested and treated if you test positive for an STI
