Budget cuts mean no STD testing in NH city clinics

Many schools have cut funding for sexual education programs due to budget constraints, and now Manchester, New Hampshire residents will be unable to receive HIV and sexually transmitted disease (STD) testing at city health clinics, according to a recent article published by WMUR-9 News.

The news provider reported that these services, including confidential testing, diagnosis and treatment for STDs, will end after the first week in July.

This may be worrisome since the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that sexually active individuals receive regular STD screening to help prevent the spread of these infections.

The organization reports that there are 19 million new STD cases reported each year in the U.S.

Early detection of STDs may not only be important for reducing their prevalence, but also for allowing patients to receive proper medical care before the infections cause serious harm to an individual's health.

For example, the CDC explains that untreated chalmydia infections may cause permanent damage to a woman's reproductive organs and potentially result in infertility. However, this disease is one that can be cured with antibiotics before damage is done when the infection is detected early.