Confidential STD Testing
The first step in treatment is diagnostic
testing. Private MD Labs offer
a comprehensive panel of tests to aid in the diagnosis of sexually transmitted
diseases: Ultimate
STD Panel.
What are sexually transmitted diseases?
Sexually
transmitted diseases (STDs) are infections that are passed from one person
to another by sexual contact. Sexual contact includes vaginal intercourse,
anal intercourse, oral-genital contact, skin-to-skin contact in the genital
area, kissing, and the use of sex toys, such as vibrators. The diseases usually
affect the genital area including the penis or vagina.
Examples of STDs are:
- Syphilis
- Gonorrhea
- Chlamydia
- Herpes
- Human papillomavirus (HPV), which causes
genital warts
- Hepatitis B or C
- Trichomoniasis
- HIV/AIDS.
Key facts about STDs are:
- STDs affect men and women of all backgrounds
and economic levels. They are most common in people younger than 25 years
of age.
- The number of people affected by STDs is
rising. Sexually active people today are more likely to have many sex
partners during their lives, putting them at a higher risk for STDs.
- STDs may not cause symptoms. A person who
is infected may not know it and may give the infection to a sex partner.
- STDs cause more severe health problems
for women, such as death from a tubal pregnancy and cancer of the cervix.
- STDs can spread from a pregnant mother
to her newborn baby and cause serious problems or death.
- When diagnosed and treated early, many
STDs can be cured. Some STDs caused by viruses, such as herpes, HIV,
and genital warts, have no cure, but many treatments are available to
lessen or avoid complications.
How do they occur?
Bacteria, viruses, and parasites cause STDs. They
are usually passed between partners during sexual intercourse and other
sexual contact. You can have an STD without knowing it. This means that
you could infect your partner before you know you have an STD.
How can I help prevent STDs?
The best way to prevent STDs is to avoid sexual
contact. This includes not having vaginal sex, anal sex, or oral sex. If
you are sexually active, here are some steps you should take to reduce
your risk of becoming infected with a STD:
- Delay having sexual relations as long as
possible. The younger you are when you begin having sex, the more likely
it is that you will develop an STD.
- Have just 1 sexual partner who you know
does not have an infection and is not sexually active with anyone else.
- Practice safe sex. Always use latex or
polyurethane condoms during any sexual contact. Using condoms reduces
the risk of infection for some STDs but does not provide full protection
against genital warts, syphilis, and herpes. Do not reuse condoms.
If you are sexually active, have regular checkups
for STDs, especially if you are having sex with a new partner. If you think
you might have an STD or may have been exposed to an STD, stop sexual activity
and get a medical exam.
Some possible symptoms of STDs are:
- Burning or pain when urinating
- Strange smelling discharge from the vagina
or penis
- Itching, burning, or pain around the vagina,
penis, or rectum
- Rashes, sores, blisters, or growths around
the vagina, penis, or rectum.
Do not be embarrassed or afraid to seek care or
ask for information. STD checks are a part of routine care at most medical
offices and clinics. Remember that early diagnosis and treatment can prevent
complications and keep you from spreading the disease to your partner.
You can get more information and treatment from your health care provider,
the health department, a family planning clinic, or an STD clinic. If you
cannot afford to pay for treatment, most communities have an STD clinic
where visits are free of charge or cost a very small amount.
For more information about STDs, call the 24-hour
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention STD Hotline at 800-227-8922.
Information can also be obtained from their Web site at http://www.cdc.gov.
Related Topics: Epididymitis, Genital Herpes, Gonorrhea and Chlamydia, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, HIV, HIV-2, HIV Recent Exposure, HIV-2 Recent Exposure, STD Testing for Recent Exposure, Syphillis, Urethritis, Vaginitis, Viral Hepatitis.
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