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Why Is STD Testing Important?

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Why Is STD Testing Important?

Sex should bring you pleasure and joy, not fear of infection. Unfortunately, intimate physical contact carries the risk of disease, as bacteria and viruses pass back and forth between partners. Whether you have one partner or many, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are always a possibility.

If you live in or around Humble, Texas, you have one of the best resources for preventing, detecting, and treating STDs — Dr. Joseph Goin at Calvary Urgent Care. He’s known for his expert skill, nonjudgmental approach, and discreet treatment of all your medical conditions, including STDs. Here’s why you should come see us to get tested.

STDS CAN BE SILENT AND INVISIBLE

For most medical conditions, you consult a doctor when you experience symptoms. And the same is true for symptomatic STDs. But most STDs have no symptoms at all, or symptoms so mild you may not notice them.

Given the staggering fact that more than a million people acquire an STD every year, chances are high that if you’re sexually active, you’re at risk for becoming part of those statistics. Even if you’re monogamous, one of the eight pathogens that cause STDs may be lurking in your body unbeknownst to you or your partner(s). What you can’t see, Dr. Goin can detect with advanced testing.

EARLY DETECTION MAKES STD TREATMENT EASIER AND MORE EFFECTIVE

Whether you came to our office with unmistakable signs of an STD or had no signs at all and thought you were perfectly healthy, learning you have a sexually transmitted infection is scary.

In addition to dealing with the disease itself, you may also struggle with other issues, such as how you got it, to whom you may have given it, and the social stigma of testing positive. Dr. Goin helps you navigate the medical side by beginning treatment (typically a round of antibiotics), as well as the complicated process of identifying the source and disclosing the information to others.

While not all STDs are curable, several are if you catch them early. For those with no cure, Dr. Goin offers the best treatments for managing symptoms and reducing transmission.

STD TESTS AREN’T PART OF A ROUTINE WELLNESS EXAM

Regular checkups are a great way to make sure your whole body is functioning well, but typical wellness exams don’t cover STD testing. So if you’re resting on that “clean” bill of health you received at your last doctor visit, you may be harboring an STD without knowing it. Here’s how to know you should get tested:

  • You’re a sexually active woman under the age of 25
  • You’re a sexually active woman over the age of 25 with multiple partners
  • You’re pregnant
  • You’re a sexually active gay or bisexual man
  • You engage in unprotected sex (no condom)
  • You share injection needles with others

In addition, everyone between the ages of 13-64, whether sexually active or not, should get tested at least once in their life for HIV. To cover all the bases, make an appointment specifically for an STD test. Dr. Goin can advise you about which tests are necessary for your lifestyle.

UNTREATED STDS LEAD TO COMPLICATIONS

Having an STD is bad enough, but ignoring one is even worse. Each type has a different set of complications, but in general:

Pregnant women with STDs put their babies at risk for:

  • Stillbirth
  • Low birth weight
  • Neonatal death
  • Pneumonia
  • Sepsis
  • Neonatal conjunctivitis
  • Deformities

Fortunately, most of these tragic outcomes can be prevented through early detection and treatment. So, if you have any of the classic symptoms of STDs, including vaginal discharge, abdominal pain, burning when you urinate, or genital sores, warts, or ulcers, contact our office. Also reach out if you meet the criteria for testing, even if you have no symptoms.

You can get in touch with us by calling our office or booking an appointment online today. The peace of mind and early treatment options are worth it.