STD Diagnosis and Treatment

Sexually active people face the risk of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), which are viruses and bacterial infections that are spread during sexual contact (seminal/vaginal fluids, blood, skin-to-skin contact). Bacterial STDs are treated with an antibiotic and cured; viral STDs may be treated with medication, but they cannot be cured. Health Quarters provides diagnosis and treatment in our health centers.

The most common STDs are:

Chlamydia – A bacterial infection that can be difficult to detect; most women and some men have no symptoms at all.  Chlamydia can cause infertility if not treated.
Gonorrhea - Also a bacterial infection, but not as common as Chlamydia.  Gonorrhea can also cause infertility if not treated.
Hepatitis B - Most people under 30 have been vaccinated against this viral infection; can cause liver cancer.
Herpes - A common viral infection that causes painful sores in some people, but most people have no symptoms.  Herpes can be treated, but not cured. 
Human Papillomavirus (HPV) & Genital Warts - The most common STD, 85% of all sexually women and men have this virus.
Syphilis – A serious bacterial infection that is fairly uncommon now.
Trichomoniasis - Can cause foamy vaginal discharge or no symptoms at all.
 

Health Quarters can test both men and women for chlamydia, gonorrhea, herpes, trichomoniasis, syphilis, hepatitis A, B, and C, bacterial vaginosis and yeast infections. An HPV test is performed for women when a pap test indicates we should. Testing can be done as part of a GYN exam or as a separate appointment. Testing may be done through a blood sample, urine sample, vaginal discharge, or by collecting a sample of cells from the cervix. You will be contacted by a staff person only if results are abnormal, usually in about two weeks.

Health Quarters patients with an STD can get a one-dose antibiotic treatment for chlamydia and gonorrhea, and another antibiotic for syphilis. We also prescribe treatments to suppress herpes outbreaks and genital warts (a type of HPV).