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Significant spike in STDs in Las Vegas

Posted at 11:51 PM, Feb 13, 2017
and last updated 2017-02-14 03:05:16-05

The Southern Nevada Health District is reporting a significant increase in sexually transmitted diseases from 2015 to 2016.

The Southern Nevada Health District says we are matching the national trend here in Las Vegas.
 
In 2016, 16,000 cases of gonorrhea, Chlamydia, syphilis and HIV were reported. That's a few thousand more than 2015. The bulk of the cases were reported in people ages 20-29.
 
Marlo Tonge with the Southern Nevada Health District says there are many reasons why.
 
One reason is because there are more young people moving to Las Vegas and more young people are having unprotected sex.
 
"We just have the demographic moving here," said Tonge.
 
Another reason Tonge says is because of the fairly new dating and hook up apps.
 
"We're seeing an increase in how people are able to connect with each other for sexual activities," she said.
 
Tonge also says people need to be more educated on the topic of STDs.
 
"It's part of your health and we need to change the way we look at that and it needs to be part of what we do when we go and have that yearly exam," she said.
 
Tonge says if you only have one partner, you should be screened once a year. If you have multiple partners, you should be screened every three to six months.
 
If you want to be screened, Planned Parenthood and Sexual Health Clinic are two places you can check out. Or you can call 702-759-0702.