STDs Education

We can provide you with the knowledge you need

Below is some basic information on the various kinds of sexually transmitted diseases. Contact our office to arrange an appointment with one of our staff to confidentially discuss how these STDs may be affecting your or your partner's life. Additional information is available on our STD info page.

HIV/AIDS

Also known as the Human Immunodeficiency Virus/ Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome

Spread through: sexual activity (oral, anal & vaginal sex), I.V. drug abuse (sharing needles) or from mother to baby (during pregnancy, birth or breastfeeding)
Symptoms: Initially, fever, headache, sore throat, swollen glands, rash Later symptoms of AIDS include night sweats, chills, high fever, white spots or lesions on tongue, blurred vision, weight loss
How you get tested for it: Blood antibody screening test, DNA test & Viral titer
Treatment: No cure for HIV/AIDS but medicines can help slow the progression of the disease

Genital Herpes (HSV)

HPV Human Papillomavirus

Spread through: Genital skin-to-skin contact or by sex (oral, anal, or vaginal)
Symptoms: Genital warts or precancerous changes (on penis, scrotum, labia, vagina, cervix, anus)
How you get tested for it: Pelvic Exam to look for warts, pap smear of cervix to look for precancerous/cancerous cells
Treatment: Variety of options for wart removable, which may reduce HPV but not eliminate virus

Hepatitis B (HBV)

Spread through: Sexual activity (vaginal/anal sex); I.V. drug use; contact with blood; infected mother to her baby during birth
Symptoms: Jaundice (yellow skin or eyes), fatigue, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite
How you get tested for it: Blood test
Treatment: No cure once contracted, but medications are available to help control the disease; there is a vaccine available for Hepatitis B

Hepatitis C (HCV)

Spread through: I.V. drug use, blood exposures on the job (i.e. healthcare workers, etc), infected mother to baby during birth, sex with an infected partner (vaginal, anal sex)
Symptoms: Jaundice (yellow skin/eyes), fatigue, dark urine, abdominal pain, nausea, loss of appetite
How you get tested for it: Blood test; you should be tested if you have ever injected illegal drugs or received blood products before 1992
Treatment: No vaccine available

Gonorrhea (GC)

Spread through: Sexual activity (vaginal, oral, anal)
Symptoms: Women may have vaginal discharge, abdominal pain, break-through bleeding, and are at risk for developing further infections; males may have pain with urinating, a discharge (pus) from the penis, painful or swollen testicles.
How you get tested for it: Lab test (culture, DNA test) of the secretions from the infected area (cervix, urethra, anus, throat) or of the urine
Treatment: Antibiotics

Chlamydia

Spread through: Contact with infected secretions during sexual activity (vaginal, oral, or anal sex)
Symptoms: Females may have a vaginal discharge, abdominal pain, nausea, fever, pain during intercourse, or bleeding between periods; males may have pain when urinating, discharge (pus) from the penis
How you get tested for it: Lab test (culture, DNA test) of the secretions from the infected area (cervix, urethra, anus throat) or of the urine
Treatment: Antibiotics

Bacterial Vaginosis (BV)

Spread through: Vaginal intercourse
Symptoms: White or grayish vaginal discharge with an unpleasant odor, sometimes accompanied with pain, itching, or burning
How you get tested for it: Pelvic exam & test on vaginal fluid
Treatment: Antibiotics or vaginal creams

PID Pelvic Inflammatory Disease

Spread through: Vaginal intercourse
Symptoms: Women may have only mild symptoms even though serious damage to the internal reproductive organs (fallopian tubes) may be occurring. Typical symptoms include lower abdominal pain, fever, vaginal discharge, painful intercourse, painful urination, and irregular menstrual periods. In severe cases, PID can cause infertility.
How you get tested for it: There is no precise test, but cultures of the cervix to test for Chlamydia and Gonorrhea should be performed in sexually active women with lower abdominal pain. Ultrasound and surgery may also be necessary to diagnose PID
Treatment: Antibiotics

Syphilis

Spread through: Skin-to-skin contact with syphilis sore during sexual activity (oral, anal, vaginal sex)
Symptoms: Sores can also occur on the lips and mouth. (1) Primary Stage: Painless sore on the genital area, mouth, lips. (2) Secondary Stage: Rash on hands, feet, and other areas of body. (3) Late Stage: Paralysis, numbness, blindness, dementia
How you get tested for it: Blood test; there is also a special microscope test to examine material from infectious sores
Treatment: Antibiotics by injection

Trichomoniasis

Spread through: Vaginal or anal sex
Symptoms: Yellow-green discharge with a strong odor
How you get tested for it: Pelvic exam and laboratory tests on infected fluid
Treatment: Antibiotics