Every year in the United States, more than 20 million people are diagnosed with a sexually transmitted disease (STD), also known as a sexually transmitted infection (STI). STDs are passed from one person to another through sexual contact, typically in the form of vaginal, oral, or anal sex. Although most STDs can be either managed or cured, untreated STDs can cause serious health complications. The top-notch physicians at Access Health Care in Downers Grove, Illinois provide comprehensive STD testing for patients in the greater Chicago-land area.
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STD Testing Q & A
Why Should I Be Tested for STDs?
If you’re sexually active, even if you only have one partner, STD screenings are an important part of your preventive healthcare and overall wellness.
Because it’s possible to contract an STD and not experience any symptoms, finding out that you have one is the first step resolving or managing the problem to prevent future health complications. It’s also the first step in preventing its further spread.
Access Health Center offers testing and treatment for the following:
Chlamydia
Gonorrhea
HPV (Genital Warts)
Herpes
Syphilis
Hepatitis B and C
Trichomoniasis
PID (Pelvic Inflammatory Disease)
HIV/AIDS
What are Common STDs?
Chlamydia and Gonorrhea: The two most common STDs in the United States, chlamydia, and gonorrhea both have mild symptoms that are similar to that of a urinary tract infection, including painful or frequent urination and a yellow discharge. Left untreated, both of these STDs can cause chronic pelvic pain, ectopic pregnancies, and infertility.
Syphilis: This STD, which first appears as a painless sore known as a chancre, can later appear in the form of a rash on the soles of your feet or the palms of your hands, and as flat warts on your genitals. You may also experience flu-like symptoms. Left untreated, syphilis can cause a wide range of serious health issues, including heart problems and neurological damage.
Genital Herpes: Caused by the herpes simplex virus, genital herpes can result in painful sores or blisters around your genitals or anus. Because it doesn’t always cause sores or other symptoms, you can have genital herpes — and transmit it — without knowing it. Approximately one in six adults has genital herpes
What is HPV?
HPV is a common infection that’s spread through sexual contact. It’s so common that nearly all sexually active people get HPV at some point in their lives; in fact, most people contract HPV for the first time shortly after they become sexually active.
There are two general categories of sexually transmitted HPV infection. Low-risk HPV can cause genital warts or small contagious bumps that appear in the genital area.
High-risk HPV can eventually lead to several types of cancer, including cervical, vulvar, and vaginal in women, penile cancer in men, and anal and throat cancer in both genders.