If you’re sexually active, using protection and getting regular screenings for STDs are the most important steps for preventive care. While it can feel awkward to talk about, it’s very important to get tested since STDs can lead to health complications if left untreated. At Dr. Maziar Ghodsian in Huntington Beach and Beverly Hills, California, Maziar Ghodsian, DO, provides STD testing that is quick, private, and judgment-free. Call the nearest office or use the online booking feature to schedule your appointment for STD testing today.
Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) or sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are passed from one person to another via sexual contact, typically through vaginal, oral, or anal sex or any sexual contact involving the penis, vagina, mouth, or anus. These diseases are acquired via bodily fluids in semen, blood, and vaginal secretions. STDs/STIs can also be transmitted in non-sexual ways, such as through sharing needles, blood transfusions, or from mother to infant during pregnancy or childbirth.
There are more than 20 types of STIs, including:
Although STDs are commonly associated with the frontal genitalia (penis and vagina), they can also affect the anus and rectum. STDs in the anorectal region are commonly transmitted through anal-receptive sexual intercourse, but they can also be transmitted through anal-oral sexual contact or spread from a genital infection sexually or non-sexually.
Symptoms of STDs may vary. In fact, some people may not present with any noticeable symptoms at all. It is possible to contract an STD from otherwise healthy individuals, and some people may not even know that they have an STD themselves. This is why it’s important to get tested regularly if you’re sexually active.
Common STD symptoms may include:
Depending on the disease, it could be days or years before symptoms show. Regardless, STD testing and treatment should be obtained immediately if you think you’ve been exposed.
There can be several causes for STDs, such as:
Despite their name, sexually transmitted diseases can be transmitted non-sexually as well, such as through:
Your provider will ask you targeted questions about any symptoms you may have, as well as about your sexual history. These questions will help them identify any infections you may have contracted and get you on your way to feeling better as soon as possible. STD tests may include blood tests, urine tests, or fluid testing from active genital/anal sores.
Your provider plays a pivotal role in STD treatment. After asking the necessary questions and performing the requisite tests, your provider will prescribe medication as soon as possible to alleviate your symptoms. You should also notify any sexual partners immediately.
STD treatment may include antibiotics, which will treat diseases like syphilis, chlamydia, gonorrhea, and trichomoniasis. Antiviral drugs may be prescribed in the presence of herpes or HIV. If you suspect you may have been exposed to an STD, call Dr. Maziar Ghodsian or schedule an appointment online today.