STD Testing

STDs are listed as among the top five most frequently reported diseases in the United States. The CDC estimates that 19 million new infections occur annually, nearly half among young men and women ages 15 to 24. These infections are prevalent in many populations, causing physical and psychological consequences(CDC April 2006).

Symptoms vary from disease to disease, and some people with different infections will not express symptoms. Generally, symptoms include unusual vaginal/penile discharge, a burning sensation that accompanies urination, sores or ulcers, and pain during intercourse.

What most people are concerned with regarding STD’s is whether or not they can be cured. Bacterial infections are curable while viral STD’s are not, though there may exist treatment for symptoms.

If you think you or your partner has an STD, you need to be tested as soon as possible so that you can be treated and stop the spread of this infection. Choices Resource Center provides free testing for chlamydiaWhat is chlamydia?
It’s the most commonly reported bacterial STD in the USA.
What are symptoms? Usually there are none. Chlamydia is known as the “silent” disease.
What damage does chlamydia do? In women, untreated infection can spread into the uterus or fallopian tubes and cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). PID can cause permanent damage to the fallopian tubes, uterus, and surrounding tissues. The damage can lead to chronic pelvic pain, infertility, and potentially fatal ectopic pregnancy (pregnancy outside the uterus). Women infected with chlamydia are up to five times more likely to become infected with HIV, if exposed.
What is the treatment for chlamydia? Chlamydia can be easily treated and cured with antibiotics. A single dose of azithromycin or a week of doxycycline (twice daily) are the most commonly used treatments. All sex partners should be evaluated, tested, and treated. Persons with chlamydia should abstain from sexual intercourse until they and their sex partners have completed treatment, otherwise re-infection is possible.Women whose sex partners have not been appropriately treated are at high risk for re-infection. and gonhorreaWhat is gonhorrea?
Gonorrhea is caused by a bacterium that can grow and multiply easily in the warm, moist areas of the reproductive tract. The CDC estimates that more than 700,000 persons in the U.S. get new gonorrheal infections each year. Only about half of these infections are reported to the CDC.
What are the symptoms of gonhorrea? For men, symptoms and signs include a burning sensation when urinating, or an abnormal discharge from the penis. In women, the symptoms of gonorrhea are often mild and mimic a vaginal or bladder infection, but most women who are infected have no symptoms.
What damage does gonhorrea do? In women, gonorrhea is a common cause of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). In men, gonorrhea can cause epididymitis, a painful condition of the testicles that can lead to infertility if left untreated. Gonorrhea can spread to the blood or joints. This condition can be life threatening. In addition, people with gonorrhea can more easily contract HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. HIV-infected people with gonorrhea are more likely to transmit HIV to someone else.
(Source: CDC updated May 2004), two of the most common bacterial diseases that usually do not express symptoms. Please call (865) 483-0092 or email info@choicesresource.com to make an appt.