Confidential STD Treatment & Testing

Despite recent declines, overall STD cases are 13% higher than a decade ago with young adults, aged 20-34, have the highest rates of infection.  At I40First in Amarillo, Texas, primary care physician Julito Uy, MD, George Peterson, DNP, FNP-C, AAHIVS, and their superior team offer confidential testing and treatment for STD's. Call the office to schedule an evaluation or use the online booking tool today.

What are STDs?

STD stands for sexually transmitted disease, which is an infection passed between people through sexual contact. These diseases caused by bacterial viruses, or parasites, often have no symptoms initially but can cause serious health issues. Common STDs include chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, and HIV.

Common STD Symptoms

• Painful urination, which may feel like burning
• Lower back pain
• Fever
• Chills
• Fatigue
• Night sweats
• Weight loss
• Cloudy or bloody discharge
• Clear, white, greenish, or yellowish vaginal discharge
• Vaginal pain during sex
• Heavy menstrual bleeding or bleeding between periods
• Strong vaginal odor
• Discharge from penis
• Itching or irritation inside the penis
• Painful, swollen testicles
• Anal itching
• Painful bowel movements
• Pain in pelvis or stomach area

Symptoms vary depending on what STD you may have, If any of these are persistent, or you have symptoms not listed that you would like to discuss, book an appointment with one of our providers.

How will I get tested for STDs?

STD testing is quick, easy, and it usually doesn’t hurt. There’s not a single test for all STDs — each STD has its own test. Your doctor can help you figure out which tests you need. STD testing may include:

• A Urine Test - you will pee in a cup
• A Blood Test - your nurse will take blood from your arm and order an STD screening panel
• A Genital Swab - your doctor will gently take discharge or cell samples from your anus, vagina, or penis

You can get tested for most STDs whether or not you have any symptoms. Some STDs look and act alike, so you might be tested for a few different infections. Your results should come back anywhere from 2-4 days, and you will be notified of your results and treatment options.

What happens if I test positive for an STD?

Finding out that you have an STD can be scary, upsetting, or even embarrassing at first, but try not to freak out. You'll be okay and you're not alone. The best thing to do when you find out you have an STD is to follow your doctor’s directions for treating it. You should also tell anyone you’re having sex with, so they can get tested and treated if they need it. It’s not the easiest conversation, but it’s an important one.  Many STDs can be easily cured with medication. And even though some STDs can't be cured, there are lots of ways to treat your symptoms and prevent you from giving your STD to anyone you have sex with. People with STDs can be in relationships, have sex, and live totally normal lives. Most people get an STD at least once, and millions are living with STDs now. Having an STD is nothing to feel ashamed of.

What does treatment look like?

• Antibiotics. Antibiotics, often in a single dose, can cure many STIs caused by bacteria or parasites, such as gonorrhea, syphilis, chlamydia and trichomoniasis. Once you start antibiotic treatment, you need to finish the prescription. If you don't think you'll be able to take medicine as prescribed, tell your health care professional. A shorter, simpler course of treatment may be available. Also, it's important to avoid sexual activity until seven days after you've completed antibiotic treatment and any sores have healed.
• Antiviral drugs. If you have herpes or HIV, your doctor may prescribe medicine that keeps a viral infection from getting worse, called an antiviral medicine. You'll generally have fewer herpes recurrences if you take what's called daily suppressive therapy with a prescription antiviral medicine. But it's still possible to give your partner herpes. Antiviral medicines can keep HIV infection in check for many years. But you will still carry the virus and can still spread it, though the risk is much lower. The sooner you start HIV treatment, the more effective it is. If you take your medicines as directed, it's possible to lower the viral load in the blood so that it can't be found. At that point, you won't spread the virus to sex partners.
  

For more information on HIV treatment visit our HIV Specialty Care page.