Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) Testing
Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) Testing Specialist
Sexually-transmitted diseases are on the increase, with chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis reaching the highest rates ever recorded in 2015. You should take that risk seriously if you’re sexually active, especially if you recently started a new relationship. Dr. Tariq Khan at Orange County Concierge Doctor offers comprehensive sexually-transmitted disease (STD) testing. Please take that important step and get tested, because STDs often don’t have symptoms in the early stage. Call his office in Tustin, California, or schedule an appointment online for STD testing.
Sexually Transmitted Disease
What are the symptoms of sexually-transmitted diseases (STD)?
If you’re sexually active, it’s important to get tested for STDs because they’re transmitted through all types of sexual activity. It can be hard to recognize symptoms because they can take months or years to appear, they may mimic generic symptoms, and they can come and go.
Each type of STD has its own symptoms, so this list includes a variety of possible symptoms from diverse infections:
- Discharge from the vagina or penis
- Burning during urination
- Itching, pain, irritation, or swelling in the genitals or anus
- Sores or bumps around your genitals, thighs, or buttocks
- Flu-like symptoms, such as body aches, fever, or fatigue
Why is testing for sexually-transmitted diseases important?
One of the most important reasons to get tested for a sexually-transmitted disease is this: You may not have any symptoms in the early stages of an STD, so you can’t possibly know you’re infected unless you get tested. You can pass the STD along to sexual partners even if you don’t have symptoms.
Here’s the second vital reason for STD testing. If you’re not tested, you won’t get treated, and untreated STDs can cause serious health problems.
Each type of STD poses its own potential complications, so consider syphilis as one example. The number of cases of syphilis in men and women has been on the rise since the year 2000. Untreated syphilis may cause the following:
- The baby is infected
- Stillbirth or death of the infant
- Transmission and acquisition of HIV infection
- Syphilis stays dormant, reactivates, causes life-threatening complications
What type of testing is used to detect STDs?
The type of testing you need depends on the specific STD you may have. If you don’t know what type of STD you may have been exposed to, Dr. Khan can help narrow down the tests to order based on your symptoms and risk factors for STDs.
There are several methods used to diagnose the different STDs. Dr. Khan performs a physical exam to check for warts, sores, rashes, and discharge. Then based on the results of your exam and your symptoms, he may order a blood or urine test, take a cheek swab, or a swab the fluid from any sores or blisters.