Get Tested For STDs In Minutes At Your Nearest Walk In Clinic

You can contract an STD (Sexually Transmitted Disease) such as syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia or even HIV when you least expect it. If you are young and sexually active, the chances of getting infected with an STD are high. If you suspect such an infection, remember that getting tested for STDs is easier and faster than you expect.  

Although the symptoms of STDs vary, there is one common factor about individuals who suspect they have contracted an STD – they are embarrassed about it and hesitant to seek medical help or treatment. However, it is important to understand that an STD is just like any other medical condition. If tested and diagnosed early, most STDs are completely curable. 

Fast, easy and confidential testing

With Arlington free STD testing and treatment available at walk-in clinics, it is easier than ever before to manage any kind of STD. Open 24 hours a day, these clinics offer STD testing facilities without prior appointment. You can simply walk in, consult a specialist and undergo tests. Thanks to the advanced lab facilities in these clinics, you will have a result within minutes. 

Regardless of your age or gender, you may avail Arlington free STD testing and treatment at an after hours clinic. Your name and contact details provided at the clinic will remain confidential and will not be shared with your GP unless you permit it.  

Testing procedures at the clinic

You will be guided to a doctor who will require information about your sex life to arrive at a diagnosis. You may be asked when you last had sex, if you have multiple partners and what symptoms you have been experiencing. After the preliminary examination, the doctor may suggest certain tests and explain why you need to take them. To conduct these tests, the clinic may require a sample of your urine or blood. A urine sample will suffice if testing for gonorrhea or chlamydia. A blood sample is required for tests related to syphilis or HIV. 

You may also be asked to provide a swab of the urethra or vagina. Most clinics explain the swab procedure and let you do it on your own so that you are comfortable with it. A physical examination of the affected parts may sometimes be necessary. If you are a female and prefer to consult a female doctor, the clinic will connect you to one if available. The same applies to males as well. 

If you test positive after the Arlington walk in STD testing, you will be started on medications and your doctor will suggest that your partner/s go in for STD testing so they can start treatment if necessary.

The moment you walk in to a clinic, you will forget your anxieties about whether you will be judged by the fact that you are there for Arlington free STD testing and treatment. This is all in a day’s work for the friendly staff at the clinic and they will ensure that you are comfortable at all times. 

5 Types of Herpes Virus& Those Cold Sores Aren’t What You Think!

Cold sores are not a big deal, right? You hop into a store and get a lip balm meant to treat it. Simple. But do you know why you got a cold sore? No, it’s not an allergic reaction.

Cold sores are caused by Herpes Simplex Virus 1 (HSV 1), which is a sexually transmitted disease! 

We know you have straightened up on your desk now and are staring at the sentence unbelievingly. 

Types of herpes 

HSV that causes cold sores also causes genital herpes and belongs to bigger family of viruses, called herpesviridae. According to National Institutes of Health (NIH), eight viruses from this family are known to the medical world. As per a report by NIH, they “commonly infect humans, and close to 100 percent of the adult population is infected with at least one.”

Among the eight, five types of herpes viruses are of major concern to the medical community. They are:

1. Herpes Simplex Virus 1 (HSV 1): 

HSV 1 is also called Herpes labialis. It causes cold sores. It spreads chiefly through oral contact. However, as per a recent NIH report, doctors have documented increasing cases of genital herpes caused by this virus. Doctors believe this to be due to an increase in oral sex activities among people. 

2. Herpes Simplex Virus 2 (HSV 2): 

HSV 2 is linked to blisters on the mucosal membrane of genitals. In rare cases, this virus is found to cause blisters in or around the mouth. 

HSV 1 and HSV 2 testing in Arlington, VA, are available at the nearest STD clinic. You can walk in without an appointment any day of the week and request a discreet test. 

3. Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV): 

People usually contract this virus in their childhood. The commonest way of spread is through bodily fluids. This virus strain causes infectious mononucleosis or mono. 

4. Cytomegalovirus (CMV): 

CMV is asymptomatic. According to medical reports, this infection is so common that around 50-80 per cent of American adults are infected by this virus atleast by the age of 40. 

5. Varicella zoster virus (VZV):

This virus causes what is popularly known as shingles in adults and chickenpox in kids. In both conditions, the patient develops a highly itchy and/or painful rash on the body. 

How to know what virus has infected you?

According to doctors, you cannot determine what type of herpes virus has infected a person through appearance of symptoms. The only way to determine is through a blood or serological testing. In case you have symptoms, the doctor, while conducting HSV 1 and HSV 2 testing in Arlington, VA, clinic would take a swab sample of the sore. 

The American Sexual Health Association recommends taking a culture within 48 hours of the first outbreak of herpes. This gives the most accurate results. If you take a culture after this period, chances of getting a false negative are higher. 

So, if you have a cold sore, instead of hopping into a store for a lip balm, please walk in your nearest STD clinic in Arlington for HSV 2 treatment.

Why Couples Must Take STD Testing Seriously

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are commonplace nowadays. In fact, millions of people are infected by some or the other infection across the world. It’s a silent pandemic brewing out there. And hardly anybody can stay unaffected by this pandemic. This is because unless one decides to become a nun or monk, sex is an integral part of a person’s life. 

So, doesn’t it make sense to know about sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) better? This is for our and our family’s sexual wellbeing. If a mother is infected, she will surely transmit the infection to her baby during delivery. 

That’s why doctors pay special attention to women’s sexual health. No wonder female STD test in Arlington is easily available at the nearest STD clinic. The tests are conducted confidentially, so you need not feel awkward while revealing your identity. 

What doctors say about STD testing

According to doctors, most STDs show no symptoms, so do not depend on this factor to gauge your sexual health. You could be infected and you may still feel fine from the outside. As soon as you indulge in unprotected sexual activity with somebody whose sexual history is unknown, please consult a doctor. 

Every disease has an incubation or window period. Undergoing a test during this period may give you false negative results. The incubation period of each disease is different. Your doctor will advise you on this matter. 

An STD clinic in Arlington is one place where you can walk in without prior appointment and talk to the doctor candidly. You can request the staff to keep your identity confidential. The clinic features mature and compassionate staff and doctors who understand the stigma attached to STDs. Female STD test in Arlington helps females take charge of their sexual health.

Repercussions of ignoring STD tests

You know you are exposed to infection, yet are resisting getting a test. This can put you in danger. Many common STDs are curable, but when left untreated, they convert into deadly diseases. They can spread to other organs and create severe complications. 

Certain untreated STDs can even make you infertile or lead to Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID). Some may put you in danger of ectopic pregnancy. Others may damage your nervous system, eyes, liver, blood vessels, bones, and brain. 

Do you know there is an STD that can make you blind? 

This is not all. Females with untreated STDs can easily infect their babies as they pass through the vaginal canal during delivery. 

Do you want your baby to be born with a STD?

If you come out positive, please insist your partner to undergo a test too. Otherwise, reinfection is possible after treatment.

Male STD test in Arlington is also available at the same clinic. Testing and treatment is done on the same day. The clinic is open all days of the week and on holidays. So, working couples can also step inside the clinic conveniently without taking leave from their workplaces. 

So, mark your calendar. Walk into the clinic for STD testing and take a pledge to live healthily.

Syphilis Blood Test in Arlington, VA: Watch Out For That Sore or Rash!

Syphilis is a bacterial infection and one of the commonest sexually transmitted infections. It is curable, but, when left untreated, can turn into a deadly disease.

 It all starts with a harmless looking sore on the genital area, the rectum, or the mouth. The sore, which is typically painless, heals on its own in a few days. 

And this is one of the reasons why the infection goes unnoticed. People think it to be, well, just a sore. They hardly can imagine this to be the beginning of something as serious as syphilis. 

After this, what?

After the sore is healed, you may experience a skin rash. Again, this is confused by a skin disease. It can be treated with appropriate skin treatment. This goes away too. 

Little does the person know what he or she is dealing with! The syphilis bacterium is well inside your body, planning its next attack. 

However, for people who are aware enough to undergo a syphilis blood test in Arlington, VA, this disease is easy to cure. Testing is the only way to find out whether the sore or rash is due to syphilis bacterium or it is just a sore or rash. 

And who knows better than you whether you require a test or not? 

Feeling shy to talk about syphilis?

People usually feel embarrassed to talk about sexually transmitted diseases. Even if they know they are exposed, they may not talk about it. However, the pathogen won’t feel any shyness and wreak havoc on your body if you do nothing about it. 

So, the smart thing to do is consult a doctor and undergo a test. Syphilis blood test in Arlington, VA, is available at the nearest STD clinic, which is open 7 days a week. The clinic conducts discreet testing. This comes as a relief because you may not want to reveal your identity while testing and billing. 

What if I don’t do anything about syphilis?

If you indulge in unprotected sexual behaviour and experience symptoms like sores or rash, you must be alarmed and consult a doctor. Ignoring symptoms can lead to serious complications later on in life. 

Once the bacterium Treponema pallidum enters your body, it shows its presence through sores and rash. Then, it goes dormant for years, only to become active once again later. This time, it is more ferocious than ever. 

This is the final stage of syphilis, which comes several years later, and can bring along horrible complications such as damage to nerves, eyes, the heart, and the brain. 

The thing to note here is: 

In the initial stages, syphilis is easy to cure. 

In the final stage, when the bacterium begins to attack your vital organs, it becomes a challenge for doctors to treat the complications. The disease can prove to be fatal. 

You can easily detect and treat syphilis infection in Arlington, VA, by walking into the nearest STD clinic and undergoing a test. The clinic offers test and treatment on the same day. You need no prior appointment to see a doctor here. Just walk in. 

You can rest assured of correct diagnosis at HIV Testing Center Arlington VA

Viruses hold the power to keep humanity on its toes or bring it to its knees. The current pandemic is a very clear example of this.

However, this is not the only virus to hold all of humankind to ransom, there is another one too that is equally, if not more, dangerous. 

And, that is HIV.

What it is all about

HIV, or Human Immunodeficiency Virus, is a dreaded medical condition in which this virus attacks the afflicted person’s cells which help fight infection. Once these are attacked, these cells are unable to help the affected to keep any kind of diseases or infections at bay.

If you are wondering how it happens, well, it is transmitted via bodily fluids – that is, usually through unprotected sex with an HIV-infected person.

It can also happen if you share a drug needle with a person with HIV.

If HIV is not caught well in time, it generally leads to an even more scary condition – AIDS, which is Acquired Immuno-Deficiency Syndrome.  

If you have indulged in sexual relations with a stranger, and you suspect they may have HIV, you should visit an HIV testing center Arlington VA to get tested at the soonest.

This is because there is no cure yet for HIV. In case you are positive for this infection, do know that you shall remain so for the remainder of your life.

In case you are wondering if there is ‘free hiv testing near me’, you can always search for the nearest testing centers and see if they offer free tests on their websites.

Many urgent care centers, such as Express Care, offer completely discreet testing if you are overcome with the thought of your family or friends finding out about this. Not only is the testing done without any naming and shaming, the expert doctors available at such care centers can put you on the path to recovery immediately post results.

You can even go for anonymous billing here. Such circumspect comforts are available so that you do not feel embarrassed about walking in and getting tested.

As the saying goes, a stitch in time saves nine. You would most certainly prefer to get treated for any infection, sexual or otherwise, at the very soonest to avoid health complications later on.

Many such conditions leave behind nasty health complications if left untreated. These may include infertility and even lead to death in certain advanced cases.

HIV was first discovered in the early 1980s. Since then it has remained one of the deadliest health issues to plague humankind. ART or Anti Retroviral Therapy has been found to give a new lease on life to the afflicted and many HIV positive persons have led a long and healthy life with ART. 

Do know that early testing and diagnosis is key to saving yourself from the medical problems such infections cause. Keep the numbers of your closest urgent care centers always at hand so that you can avail their services the minute you feel something is wrong.

Arlington Walk in STD Testing Centers – Discreet, Reliable, and Accessible

Lack of knowledge and casual sex are the two factors that can be attributed to the spread of STIs such as gonorrhea, HIV, and syphilis. Using any barrier method during sex significantly minimizes the possibility of an STI. Usually, unprotected sex with multiple partners causes these infections. Thankfully, early testing and treatment of sexually transmitted infections is a must for faster recovery. 

Variety of STD tests 

If you suspect that you may have an infection because of sexual contact, blood transfusion, or a shared needle, a dedicated STD clinic is a very useful resource. Diagnosing an STI with the help of symptoms is not a reliable method because the symptoms may not be present during the initial phase of the infection. 

Laboratory testing is the only and the most reliable method to diagnose a sexually transmitted infection. In Arlington, walk in STD testing need not be an embarrassing event because reputed urgent care STD clinics offer discreet and same-day testing, consultation, and treatment of a variety of diseases.

• Comprehensive STD test plan – Ideally, one should get tested for the commonest sexually transmitted infections including gonorrhea, herpes, and chlamydia to be on the safer side. 

• HSV 1 and HSV2 test – Since a herpes infection can strike you and your partner with no obvious symptoms, it is advisable to get tested in an STD clinic for faster recovery. You may consider comprehensive test plans to if you feel that you may have more than one infection.

• Syphilis test plan – Syphilis is one of the most dreaded STIs and one can get cured completely if treated in the initial stage of the infection. Testing for syphilis helps you start the treatment with no further delay. 

• Trichomonas test – Trichomonas infection is caused by T. Vaginalis and is a curable infection if diagnosed early. Ideally, both partners should receive treatment to avoid recurrence. Same-day testing and treatment at an STD clinic are possible, even if you don’t have a prior appointment.  

Checking the spread of STIs 

In Arlington, walk in STD testing services at reputed STD clinics provide a comprehensive range of tests to help physicians diagnose and treat patients. Sadly, many individuals are either unaware of having an STD infection or are unwilling to visit a doctor because of embarrassment. 

This can lead to unrestricted transmission of the infection as the infected person continues to infect his or her partners. In the meantime, the infection slowly progresses to higher and more complicated stages in the infected individual patient. 

There are several modes of transmission besides unprotected sexual contact. Some routes of transmission are common needles, blood transfusion, and mother-to-child transmission during pregnancy.  

Final thoughts

The most obvious way to stop the spread of STIs is to practice safe sex and avoid contact with strangers. Second, one should never share needles while doing drugs. Timely testing is also vital to check the spread of sexually transmitted infections. 

In Arlington, free STD testing and treatment assures faster recovery and also checks the further spread of a sexually transmitted infection to others.

 

Do Not Ignore Your Sexual Health – Get Tested For STIs

 

The year 2020 was slated to see cases of chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis hit record highs.

But it did not. Rather, the figures showed a downturn.

Is this good news? 

Perhaps Covid-19 has kept people away from bars, restaurants, nightclubs, and parties – settings that provide opportunities for unsafe sex.

Experts in sexual health, however, tend to disagree.

They say the corona virus pandemic has severely impacted the efforts to lessen STIs or sexually transmitted infections.

“Cases are largely undetected”, says a doctor at an STI clinic in Arlington.

“It is a serious matter. Untreated STIs can lead to infertility, pelvic inflammatory disease, and even death in newborns”. 

It is possible that health workers responsible for contact tracing of gonorrhea and syphilis have been diverted to Covid-19 cases – leading to an even more shortage of staff.

A majority of STD clinics have reported shutdowns or severely reduced working hours. 

Medical professionals also believe many persons infected with a sexually transmitted infection are avoiding going for a test for fear of being exposed to Covid-19.

It is by now well-known that the most effective tool for control of STIs is timely diagnosis and treatment.

If people are unable or unwilling to access tests and treatment, this country may see a continued and unbridled increase in STI cases. 

It is not surprising that the C.D.C. (The Center for Disease Control and Prevention) is alarmed. 

The agency has issued alerts to medical professionals nationwide on the issue, with concurrent recommendations that screenings and testing must not see a let up.

 

Priorities must be accorded to women that are pregnant and or under the age of 25, and people who are at high risk. 

The recommendations say, at the moment, routine testing can be deferred till Covid-19 restrictions are removed. 

We must keep in mind that the reported cases of STIs at the beginning of 2020 were higher than those during the corresponding period in 2019.

With stay-at-home orders in place, the number of cases must have plummeted, but we may see a spurt when establishments open up.

It is possible that the corona virus outbreak may have moderated sexual activities on the whole. High levels of stress and anxiety may be contributing to lower desires.

With establishments closed, singles are finding fewer opportunities to hook up.

Yet, they say online dating apps are logging record downloads. 

It is yet unclear whether this is translating into more sex.

Perhaps things are under wraps. 

Messages of social events and gatherings during this pandemic suffer shaming and therefore people may be reluctant to disclose or discuss such matters.

 

The final say is, you must not ignore your sexual health, especially during these Covid-19 days. 

As people gradually learn to live a new normal, you cannot afford to live with compromised immunity.

And mind you, an STI can compromise your immunity.

Put aside any hesitancy. 

 

In Arlington, free STD testing and treatment sources are available. If not, you can schedule an appointment with a lab to get a sample collected and the results delivered to you.

You can also make use of an at-home testing kit. You ship it to a lab for analysis and get results via email or on the website.