Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) spread from person to person through sexual contact. If you aren’t aware that you have an STD, you may unknowingly infect your partners and develop complications that jeopardize your health.
At Primary Care Walk-In Medical Clinic, our team of experienced physicians offer on-site STD testing services to prevent the spread of disease to others. Our testing services can also lower your risk for long-term health complications STDs can cause.
STDs are spread through sexual contact, including vaginal sex, anal sex, and oral sex. These diseases can be caused by viruses, bacteria, or parasites.
Both men and women can contract STDs during sexual activity and can develop ongoing health issues without treatment.
Unfortunately, many STDs don’t cause noticeable symptoms until the infection has progressed. This means you could be spreading the disease to others unknowingly.
The only way to ensure you’re safe from STDs is to get regularly tested if you’re sexually active, especially if you’re having unprotected sex or have sex with multiple partners.
At Primary Care Walk-In Medical Clinic, we offer testing for many types of STDs. We recommend that you get regular screenings for five of the most common STDs, including:
Hepatitis B is a liver infection that is spread through blood, semen, and other bodily fluids.
This condition can be either short-term or long-term. You may experience fatigue, stomach pain, or jaundice. In long-term cases, you may develop a chronic infection that leads to cirrhosis or liver cancer.
Gonorrhea is an infection that affects the throat, urethra, or rectum. Women may also develop an infection in the cervix.
Symptoms of gonorrhea can include painful urination, vaginal or penile discharge, and pelvic pain. Without treatment, the condition can lead to infertility and the spread of infection to other areas of your body, which can cause joint pain, open sores, and fever.
Syphilis is a bacterial infection that affects the genitals, mouth, or rectum. The disease can cause sores and painful rashes.
If left untreated, syphilis can lead to severe complications, including damage to your brain, heart, or other organs. Pregnant women can also spread the infection to their babies.
Chlamydia is an infection that can spread through vaginal, anal, or oral sex. Symptoms of chlamydia can include penile or vaginal discharge, testicular swelling, rectal bleeding, and open sores.
If left untreated, chlamydia can cause damage to a woman’s reproductive system. The disease can also trigger infertility and increase your risk for having an ectopic pregnancy.
HIV is a virus that progressively attacks your immune system. You may experience fever, muscle aches, sore throat, and mouth ulcers
If not treated, HIV can increase your risk for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), which can increase your risk for serious health complications and premature death. There is currently no cure for HIV, but the condition can be managed with medications.
Most STD screenings are done through blood work or urine testing. If your test shows you have an STD, our team of physicians can customize a plan to treat it.
We can also provide counseling services to help you lower your risk for repeated infections. Condoms are one of the ways you can protect yourself from STDs. You should also get tested for STDs regularly, especially if you’re planning to have sex with a new partner.
To schedule an STD test, call the Primary Care Walk-In Clinic nearest you or book an appointment online today. You can also visit the clinic as a walk-in.
