STD Diagnosis & Testing Q & A

What are STDs?

Sexually transmitted diseases are infections that you can contract during anal, oral, or vaginal sex. These diseases are quite common, and many don’t have symptoms, which makes them difficult to detect without comprehensive testing.

Here are some of the most common STDs:

• Chlamydia
  Chlamydia is a common STD caused by a bacterial infection. It generally doesn’t have any symptoms and is easy to treat.
• Gonorrhea
  Gonorrhea is also caused by a bacterial infection. Like chlamydia, once it’s diagnosed, it’s very easy to treat.
• Herpes
  The herpes virus can infect your mouth and/or your genitals, causing nasty blisters and sores. Symptoms can be treated, but the virus cannot be cured.
• HIV
  The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is an STD that affects your immune system and can ultimately lead to developing the AIDS virus.
• HPV
  The human papillomavirus (HPV) is typically harmless and goes away on its own, but certain types can lead to cancer or genital warts.

How are STDs diagnosed?

At Warner Plaza Urgent Care, your physician diagnoses STDs using comprehensive tests, including blood tests, urine tests, pelvic exams, and biopsies. Physicians use different tests to check for different STDs.

For example, blood tests may be used to detect HIV or the herpes virus, while urine tests can indicate the presence of chlamydia or gonorrhea. A pelvic exam can check for genital warts related to HPV, and HPV-related cancers, such as cervical cancer, can be detected with a biopsy. However, a blood test is used the most in screening for STDs.

Your provider may discuss any possible symptoms you’ve experienced, your recent sexual history, and your overall health to determine which tests may be most appropriate.

How are STDs treated?

In most cases, STDs caused by bacteria, including gonorrhea, syphilis, chlamydia, and trichomoniasis, are easily treated with antibiotics. Once your doctor has diagnosed you, they work with you on a personalized treatment plan and oversee your medication management. The doctors at Warner Plaza Urgent Care prescribe antibiotics which they have on site to treat STDs.

It’s important to abstain from sex until you’ve completed your treatment, so you don’t pass the infection to your partners.

Antiviral drugs are also used to treat STDs, most commonly with HIV. Antiviral drugs can keep HIV infection in check for years. However, it doesn’t cure the virus, and HIV can still be transmitted, although the risk is lower if you’re on antiviral medication.

To schedule an in-office STD test, call or use the online booking tool today.