When Should You Visit STI Clinic in Arlington?

If you are sexually active and notice any sign such as abnormal itching, swelling, boils, sores, or pain on your private parts, you must immediately talk to a doctor about this and undergo STD testing. Symptoms of STD come and go, but that does not imply that you are free from the infection. The pathogens have incubation periods in which they may multiply and develop symptoms. Then they go dormant and, later, silently multiply in your body. 

So, even if the symptoms are mild, such as a painless sore on your genitals that goes away by itself after a few days, you must walk in a STI clinic in Arlington. 

Do you know the only way to confirm whether you are infected with a sexually transmitted disease is to undergo a test? 

The deceptive nature of STDs

Don’t depend on symptoms because, in most STDs, they fail to show up. Even if they do, the symptoms are deceptive. 

For example, you may be infected with Chlamydia and get a sore throat as a symptom. Now, who, in the world, would imagine that a sore throat can be a Chlamydia infection! People usually think a sore throat to be, well, a sore throat. They treat it and go on with their life, little knowing that the Chlamydia pathogen is wreaking havoc inside their bodies and the sore throat was a sign that the pathogen is present inside the body. 

That’s why doctors emphasize to walk in a STD clinic without hesitation as soon as you realize you are exposed of any sexually transmitted infection. Millions of people die of STDs, despite the fact that most of the STDs are curable. How unfortunate! 

One of the major reasons is that people are too hesitant to talk about sexually transmitted infection. They would rather suffer in silence than talk to a doctor. 

Difference between STI and STD 

STI or sexually transmitted infection is an infection, which is not yet developed into a disease. This is when the pathogen has entered your body and may show or not show signs. 

STD or sexually transmitted disease is the later stage of infection, when the pathogen has established itself in your body and has started to cause damage or complications in your body. You begin to get symptoms of the disease. 

One of the finest examples of differentiating STI and STD is HIV and AIDS. 

HIV is the infection stage, while AIDS is the last stage of HIV wherein the infection has developed into a full-blown disease and has started damaging your organs. 

The best way to deal with STDs is to catch them in the STI stage. You should never hesitate to walk in STI clinic near Arlington, VA, when you believe you are exposed. 

STD clinics conduct anonymous STD testing. It hardly takes 10 minutes and you can avail yourselves treatment the same day. Let’s be more alert when it comes to STIs so that we stop them from turning into STDs. A test in time can save you.

4 Top Reasons You Must Undergo Pentagon STI Test Today

Everybody must undergo STD screening atleast once during their lifetime, say doctors. And if you indulge in high-risk sexual behaviors, you must undergo screening regularly. STDs are not rare. They are as common as flu. But, flu shows symptoms. STDs don’t.

That’s a major reason why you must undergo testing, if you are sexually active. 

A lot of misconceptions surround STDs. One of the biggest ones is that if you have no symptoms, you are fine. In Pentagon, STI test is available at an affordable rate. You can undergo anonymous testing and billing here. 

Here are top 4 reasons why you must undergo STD testing.

1. Even virgins can get STDS! 

Till now you thought you can contract STI only if you had sex. According to doctors, you can get an infection even without indulging in sexual intercourse. Several STDs spread through skin contact. Disease like oral herpes can spread through oral sex. Touch an open sore on the genital of somebody and then touch your genitals and you easily contract Syphilis infection! So, you can still be a virgin and get STI.

If you have had only oral sex with somebody who has never been tested, you must undergo a test. 

2. You can save your marriage! 

People in a monogamous relationship think they need no STD testing. They are right. But, this holds true only when they underwent testing before getting married. People who are infected generally are unaware of their infection. So when they get symptoms after marriage, their spouse might accuse them of cheating. This can lead to relationship problems. Some women find out they have Chlamydia or Syphilis only when they have trouble getting pregnant and they consult a doctor. 

If you are getting married, before you walk the aisle, walk in a STI clinic near Arlington, VA. Make sure your would-be spouse does this too.

3. It’s never too late to have safe sex

You have been having unprotected sex for years together and with multiple partners. You never experienced any symptom. So you think you are sexually healthy. You may be wrong. Certain bacteria like those of Syphilis lie dormant in your body for decades! 

It’s good to undergo a test as soon as you become aware of STDs, irrespective of your age. And it’s never too late to start using a condom. You may have been lucky till now, getting no infection despite unprotected sex. What if your luck runs out? Be safe than sorry. 

4. Unnecessary worry can give you premature wrinkles!

You are worried about that night when you had unprotected sex with an attractive partner during your vacation. You doubt you may be exposed to an infection. You are scared. Why continue to suffer silently when you have STD clinic in Pentagon for anonymous STI test? Prolonged stress can affect your skin, hair, and overall life. You may even not be able to enjoy sex with your current partner for the fear of contracting infection to him/her. 

Drop all the fears and worries. Simply walk in a STD clinic and get yourselves tested. This is the only way to confirm whether you are infected or not. 

Deadly Effects of HIV on Body and How to Prevent Them

HIV, when left untreated, can severely affect your whole body. HIV or Human Immunodeficiency Virus attacks your immune system mercilessly. It kills CD4+ cells, which are vital to the immunity. The cells are responsible for protecting the body from common infections and diseases. When the cells are destroyed, you become vulnerable to contracting all types of infections. 

The rate of progression of HIV depends on a person’s age, overall health, and how quickly they take treatment. 

That’s why doctors emphasize on timely treatment of HIV because you can avert a lot of serious complications by starting the treatment on time. Thanks to the opening of HIV testing center in Arlington, VA, you can easily walk in the center and get yourselves tested for HIV without revealing your identity. 

What if you don’t take treatment?

HIV attacks cells that fight invaders like HIV. The virus is known to replicate quickly and it goes on infecting and killing the CD4+ cells, which are critical in saving the body from infections. The cycle of infecting and destroying continues when you don’t take treatment. 

As a consequence, your immune system will be seriously damaged. You cannot stay healthy with a damaged immunity. You become vulnerable to falling ill frequently and catching deadly infections easily. 

What is AIDS?

AIDS or Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome is the last stage of HIV infection. In this stage, the patient’s immunity is extremely weakened. He or she is at a higher risk of catching opportunistic infections. 

However, not every HIV infected person develops AIDS. If you catch the infection at the earliest, you can receive appropriate treatment and prevent converting the infection into full-blown AIDS disease. 

The antiretroviral treatment is powerful enough to preserve your immune system and prevent the consequences that occur due to badly damaged immunity. That’s the reason doctors ask sexually active people to undergo HIV test whether or not they suffer from HIV symptom in Arlington, VA. 

You must not wait for symptoms, as many times, you hardly notice them. If you believe you are exposed, you must walk in a STD center near you and undergo a test. It is good to undergo HIV screening every 2-3 years for sexually active people. Some people have never undergone HIV test. They don’t know whether they are carrying an infection! 

Social stigma attached to HIV 

Do you know over 1 million Americans are living with HIV? Despite the higher occurrence of this infection, people are still embarrassed to talk about it due to the social stigma attached to it. People would not like to disclose they underwent HIV test, even if the test result was negative. 

It is this stigma that prevents millions of people from seeking medical help in spite of their awareness about HIV. The worse thing is that many hospitals stigmatize people with HIV or those who visit for a test. People who are tested positive face highly distressing social dilemma. 

However, HIV testing center in Arlington, VA, is different. Doctors and staff here are non-judgmental and highly professional. They conduct anonymous testing so that people can save themselves from the embarrassment and the stigma. 

Syphilis Disease: Symptoms, Stages, Treatment, & Prevention

One of the scary things about STDs is they hardly show symptoms. When they do, the symptoms are too common to be attended to. They may show up as common cold, sore throat, blisters, sores, or even an eye infection. You would never imagine in your wildest dreams that you are infected with an STD! 

In case of Syphilis disease, appearance of sores is the first sign. According to a study, sores appear about 21 days after being infected. In some people, it may take 90 days. They are painless at the onset. Most of the times, they go unnoticed. 

Sores usually appear around or in the mouth, at the anus, or the genital area. In most of the cases, sores appear at the genital area, as Syphilis spreads through sexual contact. The infection can also show up as painless bumps or blisters. 

In case you notice rash or sores at your genital area and you have had unprotected sex recently, you must visit STD clinic for a test. 

3 Stages of Syphilis

Appearance of sores is the first stage of Syphilis. This is a contagious stage. Some people are infected, but show no sores. They can still spread the infection. 

When Syphilis reaches the secondary stage, it may cause painful sores. The symptoms accompany fatigue and sore throat. 

The third stage of Syphilis is dangerous. It can reach the heart and cause heart failure; it can paralyze or cause stroke. 

Treatment 

Syphilis is a curable disease. Doctors usually prescribe a course of antibiotics. Please follow the instructions of your doctor carefully to treat the disease completely. You must complete the course. 

The doctor conducts a blood test to diagnose Syphilis disease. Patients with open sores are more likely to contract HIV. So the doctor also tests such patients for HIV. 

Remember 

When left untreated, Syphilis can spread to other body areas and cause destruction. It can cause mental and nervous disorders, blindness, and even death. 

How to prevent syphilis?

• Practice monogamy. Make sure your partner is tested for STDs. 
• When having sex with a new partner, ensure he/she is not infected. Use a condom always. 
• Check the condom’s expiration date. 
• The United States of America has stricter safety standards for condoms. Manufacturers are particular about complying with the standards. So, ensure the condom is made in the US. 
• Never reuse a condom. 
• Female condoms are also available. 
• When you undergo Syphilis STD test, ask your sexual partner to undergo the test too. 

Instead of playing the guessing game, visit STD clinic today and rule out the possibility of an infection. In case you are infected, get treated fast. Don’t let an easily curable disease play havoc with your life just because of ignorance or procrastination on your part. 

Your nearby STD clinic conducts anonymous STD testing, so no fear of “what if somebody learns I underwent STD testing?” Test and treatment are done on the same day. Doctors are highly qualified and non-judgmental. You can share your sexual health worries with them without hesitation. 

Why There Is a Surge in Number of Teens Testing Positive for STDs

Recent studies on sexually transmitted diseases by various agencies and experts reveal some shocking facts. It appears from these reports that a growing number of teens are getting infected with STDs or sexually transmitted diseases. Now, what exactly are the reasons for this rise in incidents of STDs in teens in the US? 

Are Drugs The Key Reason?

There is a huge increase in cases of almost all types of sexually transmitted diseases such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis cases in the United States in recent years. According to experts, this increase in STD in teens coincides with a growing number of people doing drugs. Female STD test centers are available across the country where testing can be done quickly and in absolute privacy.

However, drugs are not the only reason for the increase in STDs in teens. Ignorance, and poor knowledge about what HIV/AIDS is all about and how the infection spreads may also be responsible. 

Are Hormones Playing Up?

The surge of hormones does lead teens to experiment with sex at their age. They do not think twice before having unprotected encounters and that can lead to STDs. They are also averse to the use of barrier protection that is known to help prevent sexually transmitted infections.

Very often, teenagers and even adults do not realize that they are infected with a sexually transmitted disease. Many types of STDs do not show any symptoms until a point in time when the infection has spread deeper and beyond control. That’s how the disease spreads to multiple partners. 

Reckless Behavior Is Inherent In Most Teens

The reason for an increase in instances of STDs in teens can also be attributed to a lack of fear and an attitude that bothers on the reckless. They think that they cannot get an infection even if everyone else gets it. This lack of clarity in thinking is dangerous and may create major health issues. It is important to be aware of how dangerous HIV/AIDS can be. All it takes is one exposure to the virus to turn your world and that of your loved ones upside down. 

Lack of Awareness 

Another factor contributing to the rise in teen STDs is the fact that the counseling and awareness programs about STDs focus exclusively on heterosexual sex.  This creates a false sense of security among those who do not indulge in straight sex. Education must be targeted specifically at the audiences being addressed. 

Inhibition in Discussing Private Matters With Parents/Doctors

Teens are not always comfortable discussing their private and personal issues with their parents or doctors.  It can be very difficult to know whether a teen is STD positive just by talking to them. Parents or guardians must keep a watch on any change in behavior or routine.  If there are apparent signs of STD symptoms, they must get their teens tested immediately. If your teen is a female, then you can get the lady tested at the nearest female STD test center discreetly and without having to wait in long queues.

Sexually transmitted infections are easy to diagnose through STD lab testing. A blood test is all it takes to arrive at an accurate diagnosis. Depending on what the test results reveal, a proper treatment regimen can be drawn up.

HIV Testing Center: What to Expect?

If you think you may have been exposed to HIV, you must not think further. Immediately walk in a HIV testing center and undergo a test. Sexually transmitted infections usually do not show symptoms, so even if you are feeling fine, you may be infected. It is better to test yourselves and rule out the possibility of a disease. 

The advantage with immediate testing is that, in case you are infected, the doctor can catch the infection at the earliest stage. Most STDs are curable. Treatment becomes easier when you catch them early. 

What to expect during HIV testing?

When you walk in a STD clinic, the doctor will ask you to give a blood sample or oral fluid sample. If this is a rapid test, you can get results within 30 minutes. 

If you are tested negative and you have not been exposed for about three months, then you can be rest assured you do not have HIV infection. 

If you are tested positive, the doctor will ask you to undergo a follow-up test to make sure you are infected with HIV. 

People who are diagnosed HIV positive need to undergo a thorough treatment and follow their doctor’s instructions. He/she will discuss with you the risk factors, the next steps to take, and about your overall health condition. 

‘Window Period’

It is not possible to catch HIV infection as soon as it happens. There is a ‘window period.’ This is the time between the entry of the virus and the detection of the infection through a test. The period differs in individuals. It also depends on what type of HIV blood test you undergo. 

Type of tests

1. Antibody test

HIV tests are usually antibody tests. These include home tests and rapid tests. 

When a virus or bacterium enters your body, your immune system produces antibodies. These tests look for antibodies that your body may be producing against HIV. The antibodies are present in oral fluid or blood. 

However, it takes time for the body to create enough antibodies to be detected in a test. 

It takes atleast 3 weeks for the test to detect antibodies. 

But, not all people (about 97 per cent) create antibodies that are detectable in test within 3 weeks. Some take 12 weeks. That’s why if you are tested positive in the first test result, your doctor asks you for a follow-up test after a few weeks to detect whether the antibodies are actually for HIV. 

2. Fourth-generation or combination test

This test looks for antibodies and antigens. Foreign substances that induces the immune system to produce antibodies are called antigens. These are part of the virus or the bacterium. Antigens are present during acute infection, which is the stage when a person is immediately infected. This is before the body starts producing antibodies. 

3. Nucleic acid test (NAT)

This HIV test looks for the virus, and not the antibodies, in the blood. This is an expensive test. 

So, if you think you are exposed to the virus, wait not a minute more. Walk in a HIV testing center and get yourselves tested today.