Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) have become very common, with more than twenty million new cases annually in the US. STDs do not always produce visible symptoms; hence, you should get tested regularly if you are sexually active. Mostly, even people who have the infection already are not aware, as the symptoms take some time to be noticeable. If left untreated over a long time, STDs can cause irreparable and expensive medical conditions and at times can expedite sexually transmitted HIV infection. At Calvary Urgent Care, the experienced nurse practitioner in Humble, TX, offers confidential walk-in STD testing with same-day results. If you consider getting tested in and around Humble, Texas, call or book an appointment online.
What are STDs?
STDs refer to any bacterial, viral, or parasitic infection that can only be transmitted through sexual contact. Although all sexually active individuals are at risk of sexually transmitted diseases, young adults and adolescents make up more than half of new positive diagnoses. The most common STDs include gonorrhea, chlamydia, HPV, genital herpes, syphilis, and HIV/AIDs. The nurse practitioners at Calvary Urgent Care are dedicated to giving you accurate, confidential results, as well as guidance on your appropriate treatment plan.
What Are The Risk Factors That Cause STDs?
The primary cause and form of STD transmission is through unprotected sex with an infected partner. More so, the infections have a gender disparity in which women are more prone to infections than men. Also, people between the ages of 15 and 24 account for more than half the total cases of STDs. When it comes to social and economic risk factors, poor people are at a higher risk of engaging in sexual behaviors, and their access to health care is also compromised. Also, there is a higher link between substance abuse and STDs, as it often alters the sexual behaviors abruptly.
Why Is It Important For You To Get Tested?
Getting tested for STDs is an essential component of routine preventive health care for sexually active people, including those with a single partner. Most people infected with STDs do not have visible outward symptoms regularly, and STD testing is the only way to identify an infection that is dormant or asymptomatic. This will reveal the disease early enough and get treated. In case you test positive for an STD, you should inform your partner, prevent its spread, and avoid advanced health complications.
Which STD Tests Are Available?
With a wide range of STDs affecting many people, there is a similar range of STD tests. Calvary Urgent Care provides confidential and quick testing for a full range of STDs, including syphilis, HIV/AIDS, HPV, trichomoniasis, herpes, gonorrhea, chlamydia, and hepatitis B and C. Although most of the STDs are detectable using blood or urine samples, currently, HPV can only be diagnosed in women and require a cervical smear.
To sum up, proper testing and treatment are obligatory to avert further damages from the infections. At Calvary Urgent Care, you will get counseling and testing without stigmatization. For any queries about diagnosing and treating any STDs, call or book an appointment online today.