1 MILLION CALIFORNIA YOUTHS HAVE STDS RESEARCHERS: TREATMENT COSTS $1 BILLION ANNUALLY.Byline: TROY ANDERSON Staff Writer More than 1 million youths in California have sexually transmitted diseases Sexually transmitted diseases Infections that are acquired and transmitted by sexual contact. Although virtually any infection may be transmitted during intimate contact, the term sexually transmitted disease is restricted to conditions that are largely that cost the state more than $1 billion a year in treatment, according to a study set to be released today. And nearly a third of all the cases -- 361,876 -- are in Los Angeles County at an annual cost of $390 million, according to the study by the Public Health Institute. The findings contrast sharply with previous data based on cases reported among young people ages 15 to 24 -- with researchers saying their findings are nearly 10 times higher. Researchers used statistic estimation methods recently developed at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), agency of the U.S. Public Health Service since 1973, with headquarters in Atlanta; it was established in 1946 as the Communicable Disease Center. to estimate the number of new cases and associated medical costs for eight major STDs. "This epidemic is like an iceberg -- what you see is just a small part of what you have," said Petra Jerman, a research scientist at the Oakland-based Public Health Institute's Center for Research and Adolescent Health. "The estimated number of new cases and their associated costs illustrate that the STD (Subscriber Trunk Dialing) Long distance dialing outside of the U.S. that does not require operator intervention. STD prefix codes are required and billing is based on call units, which are a fixed amount of money in the currency of that country. epidemic among California youths remains largely hidden." The report comes as health officials have expressed growing concerns about serious complications STDs can cause. The human papillomavirus human papillomavirus (HPV), any of a family of more than 60 viruses that cause various growths, including plantar warts and genital warts, a sexually transmitted disease. Detectable warts can be or removed, usually by chemicals, freezing, or laser, but often recur. , or HPV HPV human papillomavirus. HPV abbr. human papilloma virus Human papilloma virus (HPV) , is linked to cervical and anal cancer Anal Cancer Definition Anal cancer is an uncommon form of cancer affecting the anus. The anus is the inch-and-a-half-long end portion of the large intestine, which opens to allow solid wastes to exit the body. . Other STDs can increase the chance of contracting HIV HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus), either of two closely related retroviruses that invade T-helper lymphocytes and are responsible for AIDS. There are two types of HIV: HIV-1 and HIV-2. HIV-1 is responsible for the vast majority of AIDS in the United States. by two to six times. "If you look at the overall numbers, the biggest impacts are from two diseases," said Dr. Jonathan E. Fielding, director of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. "One is HIV and the other is HPV." Fielding said the data also highlight the "hidden epidemic" of chlamydia chlamydia (kləmĭd`ēə), genus of microorganisms that cause a variety of diseases in humans and other animals. Psittacosis, or parrot fever, caused by the species Chlamydia psittaci, and gonorrhea gonorrhea (gŏnərē`ə), common infectious disease caused by a bacterium (Neisseria gonorrhoeae), involving chiefly the mucous membranes of the genitourinary tract. . "This disproportionately affects young people and has a lot of secondary effects," Fielding said. "For some women, chlamydia leads to infertility." Researchers found the number of cases in Ventura County totaled 10,270 and treatment cost $9.9 million. In San Bernardino County, the number of cases totaled 75,606 and treatment costs $50 million. From 2000 to 2005 in Los Angeles County, the number of reported cases of gonorrhea jumped from 7,199 to 10,494; syphilis more than tripled, from 336 to 1,213; and chlamydia cases increased from 30,546 to 38,862. "But HIV is really what we are most concerned about," said Dr. Peter Kerndt, director of the county's Sexually Transmitted Disease sexually transmitted disease (STD) or venereal disease, term for infections acquired mainly through sexual contact. Five diseases were traditionally known as venereal diseases: gonorrhea, syphilis, and the less common granuloma inguinale, Program. "We know the rates of HIV in the younger age groups and among minorities are increasing. That's where the epidemic is growing the fastest." Kerndt noted several reasons for the increases, including better screening of youths covered under managed care insurance plans. Also, today's youths generally are more sexually active, sometimes have multiple sexual partners and simultaneously place themselves at higher risk by using drugs and alcohol, Kerndt said. Health officials are also concerned about recent increases in different types of reported STDs among youths, including HIV, syphilis, chlamydia and gonorrhea. Although HIV became a reportable disease re·port·a·ble disease n. See notifiable disease. last year, no statistics are currently available and HPV is not a reportable disease. But health officials are especially concerned about HPV, noting that more than 90 percent of people who have the disease have no symptoms. Although research suggests that most immune systems will eliminate HPV infection within a year or two, about 10 percent of people remain infected for much longer, possibly for life. A vaccine that now protects against four HPV types -- which cause about 70 percent of cervical cancer Cervical Cancer Definition Cervical cancer is a disease in which the cells of the cervix become abnormal and start to grow uncontrollably, forming tumors. cases and 90 percent of genital warts -- is now approved for females ages 11-26. "If you have private insurance, you can be vaccinated by your private physician," Kerndt said. "If they are eligible, they can receive vaccines in publicly funded clinics." About half of hepatitis B cases are also sexually transmitted. Infected people often have no symptoms, but it can lead to fatal liver disease. A vaccine is also available for hepatitis B now. "If youth are having sex, they should make sure they have protection," Fielding said. "Condoms, for most of these diseases but not all, are the first line of protection." troy.anderson(at)dailynews.com (213) 974-8985 making contact For more information and to find locations to get treatment, contact the Department of Public Health at (800) 758-0880, or go to www.reallycheckyourself.org and www.dontthinkknow.org CAPTION(S): box Box: making contact (see text) |
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