Local health officials report STD rates in Orange County are on the rise and LA county has one of the highest infection rates in the nation. Most recent data from public health officials in Orange County and throughout Southern California have shown a significant increase in reports of syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia that are in line with rises in national STD rates. The recent data shows an increase of 412% in syphilis cases from 2011 to 2016, a 204% increase in gonorrhea during that time period, and a 59% increase in chlamydia during that same period. During the same period, the rates of gonorrhea, syphilis, and chlamydia also increased in Los Angeles County, and nationwide as well.
Due to the increased exposure to STDs, many schools and health programs are trying to encourage condom use and abstinence to combat these rising STD rates. In addition, sexually active young adults are encouraged to get screened frequently, or anytime they have a new sexual partner. Unfortunately, despite such efforts, the infection rates are on the rise, and sometimes unavoidable.
Fortunately, there may be legal recourse for you if you have been infected with an STD from a partner. In California, there are both criminal and civil penalties if your partner knowingly transmits an STD to you. Many people wonder how it can be proven that their partner “knew” that they had an STD when it was transmitted. Oftentimes, people that are infected with an STD, such as herpes or HPV, will have signs or symptoms of an infection such as genital burning, irritation, or lesions, that should make them aware that they have an infection. Other times, people will actively conceal their infection status from their partner. Factors like this can help to prove that the STD was knowingly transmitted.
STD rates in Orange County are on the rise, and the number of illegal STD transmission cases is on the rise. If you have been infected with an STD, and believe your partner knowingly transmitted it to you, or withheld information that they were infected, please contact the Law Firm of Rivers J. Morrell for a free consultation at (949)305-1400.
