STD’s on the rise in Idaho

The CDC reminded people today not to wash and reuse condoms, an announcement that most would assume didn’t need to be made.

But as STD numbers continue to rise nationwide, proper condom use is becoming more and more important.

In Idaho, Syphilis, Chlamydia and Gonorrhea numbers have all seen significant increases over the past 20 years. Possible evidence that proper safe sex practices are being ignored.

Bannock County is among the worst in the state when it comes to these issues, ranking 6th in Chlamydia cases, and 3rd in Syphilis, though access to contraceptives isn’t limited in Bannock County.

At Southeastern Idaho Public Health, condoms are readily available to anyone who comes in. Most often available in exam rooms and bathrooms, free for the taking.

Ian Troesoyer of SIPH told me that he was surprised when the CDC made the announcement this morning, agreeing that it was nearly “a given” that condoms are for one-time use.

And this act of cleaning and reusing is really ineffective, almost so much so that it’s basically like not using a condom.

But with STD numbers still steadily increasing nationwide, Troesoyer reinforced that condoms are still the most effective way of preventing both STD’s and pregnancy.