STD Testing

STD testing:

STDs, or sexually transmitted diseases, are infections that are passed from one person to another via sexual contact such as vaginal intercourse, anal sex or oral sex. STD screening can be done at your annual wellness exam or at any other time that you have a concern.

The following STD’s can be detected via a vaginal swab:  HPV, Chlamydia, gonorrhea, herpes, and trichomonas.  Blood tests are required to identify the following STDs:  syphilis, HIV, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C.  A visual exam by your doctor can detect crabs, genital warts, and scabies.

Proper use of condoms greatly reduces the risk of most STDs.  However, the condom will only protect the area that it covers.  Therefore, it is important that new partners should be testing prior to initiating sexual contact.

Infection	Symptoms	Treatment
HPV type 6 and 8	Genital Warts	Prescription cream or acid therapy
HPV, other types	Abnormal Pap	Observation or destruction of lesions
Chlamydia	Vaginal Discharge Painful Urination Infertility	Antibiotics
Herpes	Blisters Ulcers	Antiviral medications
Gonorrhea	Vaginal discharge Painful Urination	Antibiotics
Syphilis	Ulcers on the Skin	Antibiotics
Trichomonas	Brown vaginal discharge	Antibiotics
HIV	Asymptomatic for years, then immune system dysfunction	Anti-retrovirals
Crabs/Scabies	Itching Rash	Lotions and Shampoos