FAQ About STDs Symptoms, and STD Testing

STD stands for Sexually Transmitted Disease, which is an infection spread through sexual activity such as vaginal intercourse, oral sex, anal sex, or even intimate skin-to-skin contact. Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Syphilis, Herpes, HPV, and HIV are examples of STDs.

According to the CDC, over 19 million new sexually transmitted disease (STD) infections occur each year, with nearly half of these occurring among young individuals aged 15 to 24. Most infections have no symptoms and go undiagnosed and untreated for long periods, which can have serious health repercussions, particularly for women.

Knowing your STD status is a crucial step in preventing the spread of STDs. You can take action to safeguard yourself and your partners if you know you’re sick. Many STDs are simple to diagnose and treat. If you or your spouse is infected, you and your partner may need to be treated simultaneously to avoid re-infection.

Because some STDs have very few or no symptoms, it can be difficult to tell if you have one without thorough testing. Suppose you’ve had any sexual contact in your life, especially unprotected contact. In that case, you’re at risk of contracting an STD and should be tested regularly.

The shame and embarrassment people feel when they run into known faces at the health center are one of the main reasons people put off STD/STI testing. We understand your apprehension about involving others in any problems or challenges you may be having with your sexual health, and we are committed to assisting you in getting tested anonymously.

Our Preferred Service Providers can assist you in getting privately tested at one of the country’s 4,000+ labs. They collaborate with these private laboratories to ensure your complete privacy.

When you’re ready to use the private STD testing service, the procedure is simple and quick.

You may relax and be tested without worrying about running into friends or family if you make an appointment at one of the private labs affiliated with our Preferred Service Provider.

The STD examination will only take 15 to 20 minutes, leaving plenty of time to complete the rest of your day’s tasks. All it takes is to select a lab for anonymous testing of all STDs and STIs today.

Even if you are in a monogamous relationship, you should be tested at least once a year if you are sexually active. If you have several partners, you should get tested before engaging in sexual action with a new one. If you don’t get tested before having sex, ten days after having intercourse with a new partner is the next best time. An infection can take up to 10 days to show up in an STD test after exposure.

If you’re experiencing symptoms, schedule an appointment as soon as possible. Testing is the only method to know for sure if you have an STD. Because some STD symptoms are similar to those of other illnesses, only a doctor can tell if you have an STD or something else.

No. Some men with gonorrhea show no signs or symptoms. The symptoms of gonorrhea in women are usually mild, and the majority of women who are infected have no symptoms. Because roughly 75 percent of infected women and 50 percent of infected males have no symptoms, chlamydia is characterized as a “silent” disease. Testing for STDs is the only way to know for sure.

Without getting tested, there is no way to know for sure. Many STDs have no outward signs or symptoms. Vaginal intercourse, anal, and oral sex are all examples of sexual activity. When doctors or nurses ask this question, they’re asking if you’ve done anything since your last checkup that could have exposed you to an STD or caused you to become pregnant. STD tests should be included in your annual physical. However, if you have any suspicions that you may have been exposed to an STD, consult a doctor and request a test.

Many STDs may not have any symptoms at all, or the symptoms may be so minor that you are unaware of them. Experience any of the symptoms listed below. It would help if you got medical attention right once because they could indicate that you have an STD.

• None
• Discharge or odd fluid that comes out of the vaginal or penis, which may be white or yellow (not semen).
• A rash that has no explanation.
• When urinating (peeing) or going to the bathroom, there is a burning feeling.
• Bumps, sores, blisters, or warts on the vaginal area, including the outer and inner lips, vagina, and clitoris in women. This includes the penis and testicles in men.

Herpes genitalis is very common. In the United States, an estimated 40 to 50 million people have genital herpes, with 776,000 new cases recorded each year. The herpes virus is carried by around 60% of sexually active people.

Absolutely! Without your express permission, we cannot disclose any information to anyone, even your parents or guardians. That means we can’t tell your parents, teachers, or employer that you were tested or what the results were.

We strongly encourage you to bring your sex partners. Your partner may be at risk if you are infected with an STD. Furthermore, if you are treated and your partner is not, you are at risk of contracting the STD from them. We can assist you if you are worried about informing your sex partner about your STD. Our skilled team can help you by telling them or anonymously informing your sex partner that they have been exposed to an STD. That implies they won’t reveal any information that could be used to identify you. Visit www.inSPOT.org for more details on how to anonymously inform your sex partners about the possibility of an STD.

Antibiotics can treat most bacterial infections, including gonorrhea, chlamydia, and syphilis. After any case, you should be re-tested in three months to ensure that you have cleared the bacterial illness or have not become re-infected. Viruses cause herpes, HIV, and genital warts, and while there are drugs to treat the diseases, there is currently no cure.

Other STDs should be checked for and treated, and you should encourage your partners to do the same. All adults and adolescents between the ages of 13 and 64 should be tested for HIV at least once, with high-risk groups being tested more frequently. STDs have the potential to cause long-term health problems. They can also make you more likely to contract HIV or spread it to others. It’s critical to have an open and honest conversation with your healthcare professional about whether or not you should be tested for STDs. Open up about your sexual past with your healthcare practitioner. They will be able to provide you with the finest care possible.

The most straightforward answer is that one out of every four young adults has an STD. It may be even higher because many infected people are unaware of it.

Certainly not. Many STDs might go unnoticed for years with no symptoms. So, while your spouse may have given it to you, it’s possible that they had it before you met. Most importantly, you both get tested and treated simultaneously to avoid re-infection.

There are a variety of things you may take to lower your risk of contracting an STD.

• Be faithful to your partner. Only have sex with one other person you can trust. If you only have sexual contact with people who aren’t infected, you won’t catch an STD from them, and they won’t get one from you.
• Condoms should be used. Latex or polyurethane condoms, when used correctly every time you have sex, can provide excellent protector against numerous STDs.
• Reduce the number of partners you have. The more persons with whom you have sex, the more likely you are to contract an STD. To get tested, go with fresh companions.
• Don’t combine sex with drugs or booze. Being intoxicated or high can impair your capacity to make sound sexual decisions.
• Never share needles or use IV street narcotics. Many STDs are passed from person to person via blood.
• The most effective strategy to avoid contracting an STD is to abstain from sexual activity.

To begin, it’s critical to understand that sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are prevalent and can pose a severe hazard. Approximately 68 million people in the United States are thought to have an STD. In other words, almost one in every five Americans is infected with an STD at any given time.

The good news is that STDs can be avoided. Abstinence is, of course, the only 100% guaranteed strategy to prevent contracting an STD. However, adopting barrier protection devices (such as condoms or dental dams) to practice safe sex can also be quite successful.

STDs can cause significant health problems if left untreated; therefore, prevention is crucial. STDs can cause chronic pelvic pain, pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility, and problematic pregnancy in women.

Yes. Even if you’ve been treated for bacterial illnesses like chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis, you can get them again. That is why it is critical to have your partners checked and treated.

In Georgia, you don’t need your parent or guardian’s consent to get tested for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) or HIV. If you’re a minor (under the age of 18), it’s critical that you inquire about confidentiality when making an appointment.

Syphilis, if left untreated, can cause deafness and possibly death in its later stages.

The creation of a painless sore (chancre) in the place where the infection entered the body is the main stage of syphilis (usually the vagina or anus)—the secondary stage results in non-itchy rashes on various regions of the body. When the primary and secondary symptoms of syphilis go away, there may be a latent or concealed stage of the disease.

If untreated, syphilis can progress to the point where internal organs are damaged, with symptoms such as deafness, blindness, paralysis, and dementia. Organ damage can be severe, and death is a possibility.

While some people may not show any signs or symptoms, sexually transmitted diseases can cause painful urination, painful intercourse, and lumps, blisters, or warts around the mouth, anus, or vagina.

Swelling or redness near the penis or vagina, severe itching near the penis or vagina, penile or vaginal discharge, vaginal bleeding other than a monthly period, skin rash, weight loss, loose stools, night sweats, aches and pains, fever, and chills are all indications of STDs.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are over 1.2 million individuals in the United States who have contracted HIV, which is the virus responsible for AIDS. Sadly, more than 660,000 individuals have lost their lives as a result of the virus.

True! When used appropriately and consistently, condoms are highly efficient in preventing the spread of HIV. Even when condoms are used appropriately, there is a risk of HIV transmission if condoms are the only means of protection. Condoms can also help prevent infections like gonorrhea and chlamydia, which are transmitted by bodily fluids. They are ineffective against skin-to-skin STDs such as syphilis, genital herpes, and the human papillomavirus (genital warts).

False! Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted disease that can’t be spread via toilet seats or other surfaces like doorknobs. The bacterium that causes gonorrhea, Neisseria gonorrhea, can only survive for a few minutes outside the body. Neisseria gonorrhea thrives in humid environments like the vaginal and cervix. Suppose the bacterium that causes gonorrhea penetrates the Fallopian tubes. In that case, it can develop pelvic inflammatory disease, which is a painful condition (PID).

It all boils down to your sexual habits. Because a majority of cases in the United States occur in this age range, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) suggests that any sexually active female under the age of 25 obtain at least annual checking for gonorrhea and chlamydia. Beyond the age of 25, there are no precise criteria. Still, you should be screened if you are having lovemaking outside of a trusted, monogamous relationship or if you are experiencing symptoms. Suppose you’re starting a relationship with a new sexual partner. In that case, both participants should be examined to provide a “clean bill of health” before engaging in any sexual activity.

It’s also vital to understand that testing and screening consist of two parts: swabs and blood tests. Swabs will check for gonorrhea, chlamydia, and HPV, among other things. Other STDs, such as HIV, hepatitis, and syphilis, require blood testing. Both blood and swab tests are recommended if you want to get a complete picture of your health.

A variety of factors cause vaginal discharge. Discolored or increased discharge could indicate a non-sexually transmitted infection (such as yeast infection) or even hormonal changes. It’s crucial to think about your recent sexual activity to see if this symptom is related to an STD, and it’s always ideal to consult your doctor if you have any worries.

No! Birth control, in any form (pills, patches, or IUDs), is only effective in preventing conception. Birth control does not affect the spread of STDs. Barrier contraceptives (condoms/dental dams) can help avoid some STDs, but they aren’t always practical.

Possibly. Pelvic pain is frequently unrelated to an STD. Pelvic pain during sex is frequent, and a variety of disorders, such as endometriosis, cysts, or stress, can cause it. Intercourse may be unpleasant in specific postures according to your anatomy, such as how your uterus is positioned in your pelvis. Intercourse can also be painful if you have gonorrhea or a chlamydia infection or if you have an active herpes outbreak. We want you to enjoy your sex, so if you’re in discomfort for any reason, please get in touch with your doctor so that we can help you figure out what’s wrong.

You may be more prone to ingrown hairs if you shave or wax. If you’ve recently shaven and notice a slight bulge that isn’t very bothersome, it could be an ingrown hair.

The first herpes breakout is usually excruciatingly painful, with more extensive lesions forming inside the vulva and surrounding the vaginal opening. Subsequent outbreaks are generally smaller, although they are still sore. Herpes lesions evolve and may leak a clear fluid. See us if you’re worried!

Suppose you’re interested in getting screened or believe you’ve been exposed to an STD. In that case, we recommend contacting your doctor, who can discuss your options in a safe, confidential, and judgment-free environment.

You might not want to wait for the results of a conventional HIV test at times. A quick HIV test, which uses blood from a finger prick or an oral swab, can provide you with results in as little as a few minutes[3]. While the results are usually accurate, keep in mind that the oral swab only detects for HIV and not for any other sexually transmitted infections. In most circumstances, this treatment is only indicated if you are concerned about HIV exposure and do not want to wait for regular test results.