What Every Sexually Active Adult Should Know About STDs 

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) spread from one person to another through sexual activities, including anal, oral, or vaginal contact.

Many STDs don’t cause symptoms, making them difficult to identify. But treatment is necessary as soon as possible to prevent further damage to the reproductive system.

At Amarillo Ufirst Urgent Care Clinic in Amarillo, Texas, Dr. Julito Uy provides confidential and quick STD testing and treatment. If you or your partner has concerns about STDs, see our team for a fast and accurate diagnosis.

There are several types of STDs

STDs are any condition that spreads through sexual contact. The several forms include viral, parasitic, and bacterial.

Viral STDs include herpes simplex virus, human immunodeficiency virus, and human papillomavirus. Bacterial STDs are gonorrhea, chlamydia, and syphilis; a parasitic STD is trichomoniasis.

Symptoms vary from person to person

Unfortunately, many STDs don’t cause any symptoms until they’re in the later stages. That’s why early and frequent testing is necessary to prevent complications and irreversible issues.

All STDs may cause symptoms, but the symptoms vary depending on the person. The most prevalent STD symptoms include:

• Fever or rash
• Pain during sex
• Pain with urination
• Unusual discharge from the genitals
• Sores or bumps on or around the genitals

If any of these symptoms pop up, it’s crucial to come in for an evaluation. The sooner you get treatment, the better.

Early treatment is essential

With STDs, early treatment is the best way to avoid complications. If you’re sexually active, especially if you have unprotected sex or have multiple partners, schedule regular testing to ensure you haven’t contracted any STDs.

Without the proper treatment, you risk irreversible damage to the reproductive system and internal organs. Women with untreated STDs risk pelvic inflammatory disease and permanent scarring of the uterus, ovaries, and fallopian tubes.

STDs also lead to infertility in men and women. Untreated STDs in men cause prostate inflammation and epididymitis, both of which affect fertility. The earlier you get treatment, the less likely you are to have permanent complications of an STD.

Not all STDs are curable

While most STDs go away with professional treatment, they’re not all curable. Viral STDs aren’t curable, and the virus stays in the body for life.

The common incurable STDs are HIV, herpes, hepatitis B, and human papillomavirus. These stay in the body for life, although they don’t always cause symptoms.

Incurable STDs go through periods of remission and flares and may get worse over the years. However, medication can delay symptoms or prevent the condition from worsening over time.

To learn more about STD testing at Amarillo Ufirst Urgent Care Clinic, call or visit our urgent care today, or request a consultation on the website.