If you think you may have an STI, it’s important to talk with a medical professional and be tested. However, many STIs don’t cause symptoms, so it’s possible to have one and not know it. Facing the possibility of a sexually transmitted disease is scary, but you don’t have to go through it alone. If you’d like to know for sure, schedule your free STI test appointment today.
At our clinic, gonorrhea and chlamydia testing can be performed on the same urine sample that you provide for a pregnancy test, or we can provide this limited STI testing as a single service. If you test positive for one of these infections, treatment is available at no cost to you. We make referrals for comprehensive STI testing if needed, as well as offer treatment for your partner(s) if your test is positive.
Sexually transmitted diseases are diseases passed from person to person during sexual activity (e.g. vaginal, oral and anal sex, outercourse or mutual masturbation). STDs can be transmitted through bodily fluids and, in some cases, skin-to-skin contact. It’s important to remember that not everyone infected with an STD will experience signs or symptoms. But STDs can still cause severe damage and can be passed to your partner(s) without your knowledge. You don’t need to be experiencing symptoms to be contagious. You can spread the disease at any time.
The terms STD (sexually transmitted disease) and STI (sexually transmitted infection) are often used interchangeably, but there is a difference. STI describes the presence of an infection in the body, which may or may not is accompanied by symptoms. STD describes an infection that has caused damage in a person’s body, though, like sexually transmitted infections, an STD may or may not be accompanied by symptoms. STI is the broader of the two terms. All STDs are STIs, though not all STIs become STDs.
We’re here for you and will assist with the next steps if the test comes back positive.
Schedule your appointment today!
Centers for Disease Control, “Expedited Partner Therapy” (webpage updated July 3, 2017) https://www.cdc.gov/std/ept/default.htm
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional counseling and/or medical advice.