If you are currently experiencing symptoms relating to the genital area we offer a single consultation including testing and appropriate treatment.Symptoms might include pain on passing water, discharge from the genital area, or rashes and blisters on genital organs.
Treatment is offered at the first visit while waiting for any test results to come back. Our clinics are able to perform almost all tests on urine if you do not wish to have swabs and on saliva if you do not want to have blood tests. The advantages and disadvantages of this approach will be discussed fully at the consultation.
STD stands for Sexually Transmitted Disease which isn't really an accurate term. A more accurate term is STI which stands for Sexually Transmitted Infection. Since not all STDs are diseases and are in fact infections the medical community has incorporated this new term which will soon be the standard when talking about STDs or STIs. Some STD examples include: Herpes, HPV (Genital Warts), and AIDS HIV. STIs include: Honorrhea, Syphilis and Chlamydia. There are even parasites that are considered STDs or STIs because they are related to sexual contact. They include: Scabies (Body Lice) and Genital Crabs or Pubic Lice both of which are parasites that live on or in the human body.
If you think you may have contracted and STD below are a list of symptoms to look out for.
If you are experiencing any of these STD symptoms you should see a medical professional immediately. Some STDs and STIs can be cleared up quickly if treated early so time is a factor. Others may be quite dangerous and must be treated immediately before it becomes worse. Book an appointment with My Private Doctor.
Almost always STDs, STIs and viruses are spread because of unprotected vaginal, oral or anal sexual intercourse. Although you may also have contracted certain STDs even with the use of a a condom becuase they are spread through skin to skin contact and not through bodily fluids such as with Herpes or Gential Warts (HPV).
The general rule of thumb when trying to figure out when exactly you may have contracted the STD or Virus is the three month rule. Most STDs usually start to show symptoms after this period of time. Don't think you are automatically safe after an unprotected sexual encounter after this amount or any amount of time as many STDs can stay hidden for months or even years. The only true way to be sure if you have an STD is to visit your doctor and get tested.
While not all STDs and STIs can be cured, almost all of them can be treated successfully. If you have recently found out that you have or may have a sexually transmitted disease there are many treatment options available.
When caught early many infections and parasites can be successfully treated and cured so seeing a medical professional immediately is the first and most important step. But remember that not all STDs are curable. STDs such as Chlamydia or Gonorrhea and Syphilis can be cured with different antibiotics. While other STDs such as Genital Warts (HPV) or Herpes (HSV) are incurable and will be with you for life but can be controlled with different drug and topical treatments.
Other life threatening viruses, such as AIDS HIV or Hepatitis, can be treated and slightly controlled but medical science has yet to keep these extremely deadly diseases at bay and are considered the scariest of the STDs and STIs. If diagnosed with HIV AIDS or Hepatitis you should follow your doctors advice and take all your medication exactly as the directions say. In many cases support groups have helped many people with the hundreds of questions and feelings that are normal with such a diagnosis.
Information on this page was compiled from WedMd and Mayo Clinic websites.
