While there are many benefits to being sexually active, but one of the main drawbacks is the risk of developing an STD. Luckily, most STDs are treatable and aren’t serious enough to warrant panic or permanent abstinence. The team at InFocus Urgent Care in New Jersey is trained to identify STDs and help you treat and prevent them in the future. If you’re worried that you may have caught an STD, visit one of InFocus Urgent Care’s three locations to receive immediate care.
STDs, or sexually transmitted diseases, are infections that are spread through sexual contact. Sexually transmitted diseases can cause localized or systemic symptoms and, in some cases, cause life-threatening complications. In many cases, they don’t cause any symptoms at all, but can still be transmitted to others.
The most common sexually transmitted diseases include:
In most cases, the first symptoms of an STD impact the genitals, reproductive system, and/or mouth depending on the point of contact. You may experience:
STD diagnosis generally requires laboratory analysis of a culture. To obtain a culture, your InFocus Urgent Care doctor or another member of the team will swab the area in question with a cotton-tipped applicator. The specimen is sent to the lab, where it undergoes an evaluation to identify any harmful pathogens. Once the infection is identified, your doctor administers the appropriate treatment.
Anyone who is sexually active is potentially at risk for contracting a sexually transmitted disease. Those who have unprotected sex or multiple sexual partners are at an increased risk.
Bacterial STDs are treated with antibiotics while viral STDs are treated with antivirals. In some cases, additional treatment may be required to manage the symptoms of an STD. In some cases, STDs can result in serious complications, which may require hospitalization.
The only way to fully protect yourself against an STD is to abstain from sex, including, anal, vaginal and oral sex. Those who are sexually active can reduce their risk by using a condom, being monogamous or reducing the number of sexual partners and getting vaccinated for HPV (three shots) and hepatitis B.
If you believe you may have an STD, call or schedule an appointment at InFocus Urgent Care for a private consultation.
