Testing for STDs: Better safe than sorry

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Cortney Paxton
  • 341st Missile Wing Public Affairs
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  Airmen in the United States Air Force have an obligation to their country, their service, their mission and, most importantly, to themselves to be "fit to fight" in all ways possible. This means maintaining a healthy persona mentally, spiritually, emotionally and physically.

Each element of health can directly, or indirectly, affect its three partners. Take for example, emotional health - depression, an emotional disorder, can have physical effects on a person's body. While each element requires its own specific attention, there isn't one that overshadows the others. However, having good overall physical health can help people focus on the other three elements, which can sometimes be overlooked.

Part of being physically "fit to fight" includes being tested for Sexually Transmitted Diseases regularly, and knowing what to do if tested positive for one of these diseases or infections. While testing for STDs is the only way an Airman can know for sure if they have an STD, there are ways to prevent STDs in the first place.

"The best prevention method is abstinence," said Senior Airman Michael Scaricaciottoli, 341st Medical Operations Squadron public health technician. "Condom use, both consistently and correctly, are also beneficial in preventing the spread of sexually transmitted infections. Another good method to prevent infection is having a monogamous relationship rather than having multiple partners."

While prevention is always key, there are still ways to contract STDs, so routine "confidence checks," or STD tests, are important. There are STDs that can show no symptoms in males and females, so knowing a positive test result can, in more ways than one, be half the battle.

"If people come in to get tested, they should come to public health and ask for a confidence check," Scaricaciottoli said. "This will test for Chlamydia, Gonorrhea; Hepatitis A, B and C; HIV and Syphilis. Additional labs can be ordered if the patient has reason to believe they may have contracted any additional STDs; this has to be done with their provider."

If Airmen test positive for an STD, they should seek treatment immediately in order to cure the infection if it is curable. According to Scaricaciottoli, bacterial infections like Chlamydia, Gonorrhea and Syphilis are curable with antibiotics; however, viral infections like HPV, HIV and Herpes are not. There may be common symptoms associated with some of these infections.

"Syphilis, HPV and Herpes can all cause chancres, or sores," Scaricaciottoli said. "Exposure to these sores is what causes infection. Syphilis can potentially be a four-stage process. Primary stages result in sores; secondary stages result in rashes on parts of the body, muscle aches, fever, sore throat and swollen lymph nodes; and latent stages typically result in no symptoms but may cause progression to the tertiary stage, which can cause complications in areas such as the brain, nerves, eyes, heart, blood vessels, liver, bones and joints. These stages only progress if the infection goes untreated. HIV and Syphilis can be fatal."

Airmen tested for STDs may avoid potential harm to themselves or their sexual partners. If an Airman tests positive for an STD, it's important for them to seek treatment; however, knowing they carry an active STD brings other obligations.

"When an Airman knows they have an STD they should first inform [their] partner(s) about the STD prior to any sexual encounters; otherwise, they are possibly committing assault under Article 128 of the [Uniform Code of Military Justice] and may be violating local criminal laws," said Capt. Christopher Heck, 341st Missile Wing Judge Advocate General attorney.

A military member's violation of the UCMJ can lead to serious consequences that may
significantly alter the service member's career and life.

"In U.S. vs. Stewart, an Army sergeant knew he had HIV and had sexual intercourse with another person; however, he never informed her that he had HIV," Heck said. "Sergeant Stewart was sentenced to confinement and a dishonorable discharge after being found guilty of aggravated assault with means likely to cause death or grievous bodily harm."

It may be common knowledge that an STD is a physical detriment, but it may not have been so commonly known that carrying one can bring legal obligations if not handled correctly. It's important to be healthy physically by treating an STD, but Airmen should also be aware of what they need to do besides take their medicine to avoid ailments in other areas of their lives.

For more information or to get tested for STDs, contact Malmstrom's Public Health at 731-4405.