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Nobody wants to get a sexually transmitted disease (STD), but the truth is, they’re quite common — approximately one in two people will get an STD at some point in their life, and there are around 20 million new cases every year. At North Tex MedCare Clinic and Urgent Care, which has locations in Allen, Addison, Fort Worth, and San Antonio, Texas, you can get STD testing and treatment whenever you need it. If you are experiencing symptoms of an STD or worry you’ve been exposed to a sexually transmitted infection, call the nearest office to make an appointment or request one online today. Telemedicine visits are also available.
What are the symptoms of an STD?
Different STDs can cause different symptoms, but there are some common signs that can tell you that you might have an STD. Some signs and symptoms of STDs are:
- Bumps, sores, or warts near the mouth, anus, penis, or vagina
- Swelling or rash near the penis or vagina
- Fever
- Abdominal pain
- Pain during urination
- Unusual or bad-smelling discharge
- Irregular bleeding from the vagina (outside of normal period)
- Pain during sex
- Itching near the penis or vagina
It’s important to know that in many cases, there are no symptoms at all, so the only way to know for sure whether you have an STD is to get tested. That’s why it’s critical to always use protection and to get tested regularly, even if you aren’t experiencing symptoms.
How are STDs Treated?
Many STDs can be treated using antibiotics. Chlamydia, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis (trich), and syphilis can be treated with antibiotics, and scabies and pubic lice can be treated with other medications.
Other STDs, such as herpes and HIV, don’t have a cure, but symptoms can be managed through lifestyle changes to help reduce outbreaks, as well as antiviral medications.
Can STDs be prevented?
The only way to completely prevent STDs is sexual abstinence. However, there are some ways that you can reduce your risk of getting an STD. These include:
- Using a condom, dental dam, or internal (“female”) condom every time you have sex
- Getting tested regularly, even if you use a condom every time
- Limiting the number of sexual partners and choosing sexual partners carefully
- Don’t use alcohol or drugs when having sex
Even when used correctly, condoms and barriers don’t provide 100% protection against STDs because some STDs can spread through skin-to-skin contact outside of the area covered by the condom. Herpes, HPV, pubic lice, and scabies can be spread through any genital skin-to-skin contact.
Still, using a condom or barrier lowers the risk of getting STDs, even the ones that can spread through skin-to-skin contact.
How does STD testing work?
Your doctor will perform an exam and ask you questions about your symptoms. You may need to give a urine or blood sample, or a swab may be used for your throat or genitals.
If you test positive for an STD, your doctor will discuss treatment options with you. If you need to take medication, it’s necessary to wait to resume sexual activity until after your treatment is complete.
If you think you might have an STD, call North Tex MedCare Clinic and Urgent Care or book an appointment using the online scheduling feature today.