PARKERSBURG – The Mid-Ohio Valley Health Department, with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, next week will observe Sexually Transmitted Infection Awareness Week.

West Virginia has among the lowest rates of sexually transmitted diseases in the nation, according to the CDC. In 2023, the latest statistics available, the state was ranked 32nd in the rate of primary and secondary syphilis with 10.9 cases per 100,000 people.

West Virginia was ranked 45th for gonorrhea with 54.7 cases per 100,000 and 47th for chlamydia at 249.1 cases per 100,000.

Among local statistics from 2022, the latest available from the Office of Epidemiology and Prevention Services:

* Gonorrhea (cases per 100,000, ranking in state): Wirt, 78.6, 7; Wood, 63.6, 11; Ritchie, 60.9, 12; Doddridge, 52, 17; Wetzel, 28.5, 34; Jackson, 25.3, 36; Tyler, 24.4, 39; Pleasants, 13.2, 47; Roane, 7.2, 49; Calhoun, Gilmer, 0.

Chlamydia: Doddridge, 311.4, 4; Ritchie, 243.7, 15; Wood, 235.2, 16; Wetzel, 213.9, 23; Gilmer, 204.8, 26; Calhoun, 148.3, 34; Wirt, 131.5, 41; Pleasants, 131.8, 42; Tyler, 122.2, 47; Jackson, 115.5, 50; Roane, 108.4, 52.

Early syphilis: Wood, 48, 3; Calhoun, 16.5, 11; Jackson, 14.4, 13; Wetzel, 14.3, 14; Gilmer, 13.7, 17; Pleasants, 13.2, 18; Doddridge, Ritchie, Roane, Tyler and Wirt, 0.

From 2013-2017, the number of cases of chlamydia dropped from 5,173, 279.2 per 100,000, to 4,128, 222.8 per 100,000. Gonorrhea increased from 1,076 cases, 58.1 per 100,000, in 2013 to 1,301 cases, 70.2 per 100,000 in 2017. Early syphilis increased from 25 cases, 1.3 per 100,000 in 2013, to 95 cases, 5.1 per 100,000, in 2017.

The CDC recommends a Talk, Test and Treat approach to common sexually transmitted infections, or STIs, the health department said.

The department said individuals should talk to partners and health care providers honestly about sexual health and any current STIs. It is important to talk to a partner before intercourse about when one was last tested and other partners, and to use condoms throughout the entire act. Not all medical checkups include STI testing, so a person should not assume that they will be tested unless they bring it up. People can also ask their health care provider whether certain vaccines, such as hepatitis B or HPV vaccine, would be beneficial.

Many STIs do not cause symptoms, so people could have one and not be aware. Getting tested is the only way to know for sure if one has a sexually transmitted infection. Pregnant women can still contract an STI. Some tests can be done at home and mailed to a lab or through a self-test.

If someone tests positive for any STI, their health care provider can offer the correct treatment. The health department recommends people ensure treatment is effective by taking all of the medication as prescribed, for as long as it is prescribed, even if they are feeling better or the symptoms go away. Medicine should not be shared with anyone, and sexual activity should be avoided until individuals and partners have completed treatment.

Expedited Partner Treatment, or Expedited Partner Therapy, also is available for STIs. EPT is a practice allowing health care providers to prescribe certain antibiotic medicines for the sexual partner(s) of a person with a STI, including chlamydia and gonorrhea, without a prior medical evaluation or clinical assessment of the partner(s).

Appointments to discuss sexual health options with the department can be made at 304-485-7374.

The Mid-Ohio Valley Health Department covers Wood, Wirt, Calhoun, Pleasants, Ritchie and Roane counties with offices at 1824 Murdoch Ave. in Parkersburg. The department is open from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. weekdays.