Do Not Hesitate To Get Tested For Chlamydia - It Is Easily Treatable

Reports say a vaccine for the most commonly sexually transmitted infection, chlamydia, has passed an early test on its journey to availability for the public. 

This should serve as good news as, according to the American Sexual Health Association, chlamydia is causing close to 1.5 million new infections every year.

Till such time we get the chlamydia vaccine in the market, there can be no compromise with regular screening. 

According to a doctor in Arlington, chlamydia screening is essential because it often goes undetected in the human body. “If left untreated chlamydia can cause serious health issues in both men and women”. 

• In women, chlamydia can lead to urinary issues, discharge from cervix, and pelvic inflammatory disease (a serious infection of the reproductive organs) that can cause infertility. 
• In men, chlamydia if left untreated can cause prostrate inflammation, scarring of the urethra and even infertility. 

Here are answers to some commonly asked questions about chlamydia.

How is Chlamydia spread?

A person can get chlamydia through vaginal, oral or anal sex with someone who has chlamydia. A pregnant woman with chlamydia can transmit the disease to her baby. 

Who are at risk for chlamydia?

Sexually active people are at a higher risk. This is due to behavioral characteristics among young people. Gay and bisexual men are also at risk since this sexually transmitted infection can spread through oral and anal sex. 

How will I know if I have this disease?

Chlamydia, more often than not, does not show any symptoms. Yet, even in a symptomless condition it can cause serious health problems. If symptoms do occur, they may not appear until several weeks after sexual intercourse with a partner having chlamydia. 

Women with symptoms may experience:

• Unusual vaginal discharge or / and
• Burning sensation while urinating 

Men may notice the following symptoms:

• Discharge from their penis
• Burning sensation while peeing
• Pain and swelling in one or both testicles 

How will a doctor know if I have chlamydia?

Lab tests can diagnose chlamydia. In Virginia chlamydia screening test is available. You may be asked to provide a urine sample for testing or they may use a cotton swab to get a vaginal sample. 

Is there a cure for this disease?

Yes, there is. The right kind of treatment can cure chlamydia. It is however, vital that you must take all the medicines the doctor has prescribed for you. If the medication is taken as per instructions it will halt the infection and minimize the possibilities of getting complications later. 

Here is a warning.

You must refrain from sex until you and your partner complete the treatment. If you have been given a single dose you must wait for seven days after taking the medication before resuming sex. 

If you are sexually active, inevitably you will be exposed to pathogens. It is no wonder healthcare providers recommend testing. In Virginia chlamydia screening test is not an issue at all. You can visit an urgent care center with no appointment needed. Just walk in during extended clinic hours. You even have the advantage of same day treatment. 

What are the First 3 Signs of Syphilis in Men? VA Doctors Answer

Syphilis is a bacterial infection that can happen during oral, anal, and vaginal sex and skin-to-skin contact with the infected person. Syphilis is quite easy to get. 

It is a curable disease. Timely test and treatment can make you free of this infection. When left untreated, the disease can wreak havoc with your body in its last stage. 

Here are the first 3 signs of syphilis in men, according to VA doctors at the STD clinic. 

1. Sores

Sores are the first sign of syphilis. Also called chancre, this sign signifies the onset of the first stage of infection. This stage is infectious. You must rush to your nearest clinic to undergo a test as soon as you see a sore on your penis, anus, anywhere around your genital area, or around the mouth. 

Sores generally appear about 10 days or 3 weeks after you get the infection. Some may get it after 3 months! 

Sores heal by themselves. That’s why men think they are only sores and nothing really to worry about. Little do they know that the bacterium is still lurking inside their body, ready to strike again. 

2. Rash

Rash signifies the second stage of syphilis. It typically appears on the soles of feet and palms. These are non-itchy rashes, which are deceptive, as men think it’s only some skin allergy. 

3. Flu-like symptoms

Along with rash, you may get flu-like symptoms. Sore throat, fever, headache, body ache, and fatigue hardly ever make a person think this is about syphilis! But if they are accompanied by rash and you had unprotected sex a few weeks before, you now know what it could be. 

Act before it’s too late

The first three signs of syphilis should be enough to make you act and visit a nearby STD clinic. You can easily avail of treatment for syphilis disease in Pentagon, VA, through qualified doctors at STD clinic. 

If you fail to undertake a test and treatment at the first or second stage, the bacterium becomes dormant in your body. It can stay like this for years without showing any symptoms. This is the latent stage. 

If you still don’t act in the latent stage, then you are in serious trouble because the bacterium strikes years after, this time, causing horrible health complications. 

The last stage

The bacterium attacks your brain, heart, and bones. At this stage, it is too late to do anything. The doctor finds it nearly impossible to save you because the bacterium may cause any of the following terrifying conditions:

• Blindness
• Paralysis
• Tumors
• Damage to nervous system
• Death

Syphilis bacterium can stay in your body for decades! After showing the initial symptoms, it goes dormant (latent stage) if you do nothing. It becomes active again after 10 or 20 or maybe 30 years! By then, you may have even forgotten when you had that one episode of unprotected sex that gave you this infection!

Do not let this happen to you, gentlemen. The first signs of syphilis in men are so obvious, say VA doctors, you can’t ignore them. Get tested. Get treated. 

Why it is important to be aware of the issues related to STIs

Let us know some key facts about sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

• Every single day, more than one million STIs are acquired worldwide – and a majority of these are symptomatic, which means their symptoms do not show themselves.
• It is estimated that more than 500 million people between the ages of 15 to 50 have HSV infection.
• Resistance to the drug used to combat gonorrhoea is causing concern worldwide as it is an impediment to reducing the associated health problems.
• STIs can lead to many other problems, like stigmatization, cancers, pregnancy complications, and enhance the risk of one’s contracting HIV.

Aren’t these alarming?

Any sane person would appreciate the fact that most of these infections can be caught in infancy through testing. It is vital to go in for a complete panel of comprehensive STD test in Pentagon City if you have had a casual sex encounter and are wondering if you have been exposed to infection.

A method of prevention

Look, the adage ‘Prevention is better than cure’ stands true in all times. If you are averse to abstinence, which is the one failsafe method to avoid STIs, you must always have sex using a condom to reduce your chances of contracting an infection.

However, you must know that condoms will not protect you from contact with infectious sores or warts.

If you are unsure about how to use male or female condoms, here’s how:

Using male condoms

• You should put the condom on before making any contact.
• Put the condom on the tip of the penis and unroll it towards the base. If you are uncircumcised, pull your foreskin back first.
• You must leave some space for semen collection; say about half an inch, in the tip of the condom. Do remember to squeeze it to remove the air.
• Once you have ejaculated, pull out before your penis turns soft. Make sure the condom doesn’t slip off by holding it at the rim.

Using female condoms

• Read the directions given on the package carefully regarding the placement of the condom. 
• Try to push the inner ring of the condom as far as it can go into the vagina. The outer ring of the condom must stay outside the vagina.
• Now, guide the penis into the condom.
• Once you are done, pull the condom out very gently before you stand up.

In both cases, never reuse condoms!

If you feel that you were careless and inadvertently exposed to an infection, you can go for affordable STD testing in Arlington by visiting an urgent care clinic.

Points to know

Most STIs do not show any symptoms, and oftentimes it is usually quite late into the infection that one comes to know they are infected.

If, however, you or your partner is being treated for an STI, you must avoid having sex.

Also, you should urinate and wash your genitals with soap and water soon after sex. This helps to remove some germs before they can cause an infection.

It is vital that you get yourself tested for STIs or STDs at clinics like stdexpressclinic.com so that even if you have contracted an infection, it can be diagnosed and treated at the earliest.

When In Arlington, Get Tested For STDs At The Earliest

There is a reason why so much importance is laid on maintaining sexual health and using protection in case of sex with strangers. It is because if one does not do that, they stand a chance of contracting a sexually transmitted infection or disease.

Look at the statistics.

Every year, one in every four teens in the US contracts an STD. What’s more, by the time they reach 25 years of age, almost half of all sexually active people get at least one STD. Isn’t that alarming news?

What are these?

An STI or STD is a sexual infection that passes from one person to another via sexual contact. The most common sexual routes are vaginal, anal and oral. Apart from these, these infections can also spread blood or pass from the mother to her child during delivery.

There are more than 20 types of STIs and STDs. The most commonly prevalent ones are:

·       Chlamydia

·       Gonorrhea

·       Syphilis

·       Trichomoniasis

·       Public lice

·       HIV/AIDS

·       HPV

·       Genital herpes

The main causes behind these are bacteria, viruses, and parasites, and they can affect both men and women.

Basically, you can get it if:

ü  You are sexually active.

ü  You are a man who has sex with men – you are more inclined to catching STIs.

ü  You do not use protection, like condoms.

ü  You change your sexual partners frequently.

How to stay safe

With most of these infections causing quite a bit of physical and mental misery and some of them being deadly, it makes a lot of sense to be careful regarding your sexual activity.

Here are some ways:

Ø  Use protection – always!

Ø  Educate yourself regarding good sexual practices.

Ø  If you feel you are at risk, go in for Arlington full panel STD test. This will help you catch the infection, if any, well in time.

Ø  Try and limit casual sex, and wear a condom every time you are with someone new. Women, ensure your new sexual partner wears protection!

General symptoms

While many STIs and STDs do not show symptoms immediately and there are some that do not have any symptoms at all.

Here are a few common ones:

o   Sores or warts in the genital region

o   Unusual discharge from the vagina/penis

o   Fever

o   Abdominal pain

o   Painful urination

o   Itchiness in the anal region

o   Itchiness and redness in the genital region

Hardly pleasant, any of them!

You will be glad to know that some of these infections and diseases are completely curable, such as chlamydia, syphilis, gonorrhea, and trichomoniasis.

You must speak with a physician if you fear you have contracted an STI/STD. do not feel embarrassed about this and do not ever delay getting a test done. STDs caused due to viruses cannot be cured but medication can keep your symptoms under control and prevent the infection from spreading to the others.

If You Suspect You Have an STD, Get Tested Without Fail

Sex and openness on this topic have changed a lot over the past few decades.

Yet, research has found that there is still a knowledge gap among American adults when it comes to sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

It is no wonder this country is seeing spikes in gonorrhea, chlamydia and syphilis. Decline in condom use is one reason, and perhaps fewer people are receiving care due to budget cuts.

A study conducted by an online agency has found that the average score to answers to their sex questionnaire was awfully poor.

Talking about sexual health is still taboo as people feel it is a personal and sensitive issue.

And that is why there is a lot of misinformation going around.

At the same time people who fear they have indulged in risky behavior are keen to get tested. After all, it is a question of their health and also that of their loved ones.

But people want to get tested as discreetly as possible.

How do men get tested for STDs in Arlington?

Frankly this question is applicable to women too.

There is no need to worry. You have private and confidential options.

Visit your primary care doctor

There are several good reasons why you must do so. For one, doctors are familiar with sexually transmitted infections. Some are simple bacterial infections that can be easily treated with antibiotics. You must also keep in mind that doctors are bound by confidentiality tenets to keep their patients’ privacy.

You can visit a nearby walk-in clinic

In Arlington you can visit an urgent care facility that is open all seven days. No appointment is needed and an added bonus is that same day STD treatment is available. This Arlington quick STD test clinic is worth considering.

Visit Planned Parenthood

This is a national body with more than 700 centers across the country. It offers confidential testing and treatment. Planned Parenthood is a good option if you are worried about insurance or do not want to see your family doctor.

Home test kit

This is a good option. These are self-collection types you can order online.

Every purchase comes with guidelines, the materials for sample collection and prepaid shipping both ways.

Many insurance plans cover the cost of at-home test kits.

Walk-in clinics, your primary care physicians and online doctors can provide you with vital information that help you to know the symptoms and consequences of sexually transmitted infections.

These are Covid-19 times and you may be in isolation. You may desist from visiting a doctor. Using online resources to get information is the best option at this time.

An online medical professional offers personalized, confidential advice to anyone who needs it.

Just because you are in lockdown does not mean you must compromise on your sexual or reproductive health. Any laxity on your part can leave you with long-lasting complications or even infertility.

Get to know how men get tested for STDs in Arlington. You will be surprised that there are many options available. 

What to Expect When Talking About STD Testing With a Doctor

Never got tested for STDs? Then you may feel a bit awkward. Some feel scared. However, as doctors say, you have no reason to feel scared. STD tests are just like any other test. They are painless procedures intended to confirm your sexual health. 

You may feel awkward because the world is not yet open to talking about sexually transmitted diseases. But, if you walk into your nearest STD clinic, you would realize there isn’t a reason to feel awkward. 

Remember, STD testing does not form a part of your annual health checkup. You must ask your doctor to conduct this test. If you feel shy about asking your family doctor, you can walk into the STD clinic and undergo a test discreetly. 

But I don’t have symptoms!

STDs are often asymptomatic. So, do not rely on the presence of symptoms, say doctors. They may or may not show up. If you are sexually active, you have all the reason to undergo a test. And if you have multiple partners or have a new partner, you cannot miss getting tested. 

How is a test done?

Walk in STD testing facility near Arlington, VA, conducts testing for commonest STDs. The doctor usually takes a swab sample, urine sample, or blood sample for the test. 

What to expect when you walk into the clinic?

You will be ushered into the doctor’s chamber immediately. If there is already a patient inside, you must wait, but this takes just a few minutes. 

Be prepared to answer questions about your sexual life. Be honest. Nobody will judge you here. Being honest is for your own good. The doctor will determine your risk level and the tests you must undergo on the basis of your sexual life and history, and symptoms, if any. 

They may also ask whether you ever had sex with a sex worker or if you inject drugs. If you are a man, the doctor may also want to know if you ever had sex with a man. These questions may seem offensive to many, but they are not. These are factors that determine your level of risk of contracting STDs. 

Do you know men having sex with men is a high-risk sexual behavior? It puts you at high risk for contracting dangerous infections like HIV. 

Taking drugs through injection is a high risk factor, as HIV can be transmitted through sharing needles. 

When you walk into an STD clinic in Arlington, keep an open mind and focus on your sexual health. This is for your own good and the good of your whole family. If you are infected and do not seek treatment, you would infect your partner and, eventually, your baby. 

That’s why it is important for couples to confirm their sexual health because it is not limited to themselves. Being ignorant about your infection can make you breed a generation of infected people. 

Consider STD testing as taking charge of your health, not as a shame. We are already in 2022, folks. Do we still need to feel embarrassed talking about our sexual health?

Why You Must Not Leave Syphilis Infection Untreated

Syphilis is a common sexually transmitted disease. It is completely curable; but if you let it just be in your body, it can wreak havoc inside. It can even make you blind, damage your heart, blood vessels, and brain, and render you infertile. 

Such horrible consequences of letting an absolutely curable disease go untreated! 

Why people do not undergo testing

Most of the time, it is people’s ignorance of the symptoms, or maybe they don’t know that syphilis can turn into such a health catastrophe when left untreated. 

Other times, it could be plain procrastination. 

It could also be embarrassment. 

However, with the advent of STD clinic located at easily accessible places, you must neither procrastinate nor feel embarrassed. You must simply walk into the clinic to get tested for syphilis infection in Arlington, VA. Talk to the doctor to clear your doubts about syphilis or any STD. He or she will recommend the best course of action, depending on your sexual behavior, history, current symptoms, age, and overall health. 

What happens when you leave syphilis untreated?

According to doctors, you must not let a simple, curable disease enter into its last stage and create irreparable damage to your body, even death. Doctors at STD clinic can help you decipher signs of syphilis in men and women in VA. 

Here’s what can happen when syphilis is left untreated: 

Neurosyphilis

Syphilis is caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum. When you let this bacterium stay inside your body for a long time, it multiplies and may reach the nervous system. 

You may experience symptoms like:

•        Headache
•       Seizures
•        Dementia
•        Abnormal gait
•        Concentration troubles
•        Numbness in extremities
•        Weakness
•        Confusion
•       Loss of vision or problem in vision 

Congenital syphilis

Congenital syphilis happens in fetuses or newborns. This is a life-threatening condition. The bacterium can easily get transmitted from an infected pregnant woman to her developing fetus or newborn through vaginal delivery. 

As per a study, around 70 per cent of infected women are likely to infect their babies during pregnancy or delivery. 

Giving birth while having syphilis infection can make terrible things happen to your newborn, such as:

•        Saddle nose (nose without bridge)
•        Low birth weight
•        Fetal or neonatal death
•       Pre-term birth
•        Fever
•        Watery nasal fluid
•        Rash in the anus, genitals, or mouth
•       Tiny blisters on hands and feet that become a copper-colored flat or bumpy rash later which may spread to the face
•        Trouble gaining weight 

Young kids may suffer from:

•        Loss of vision
•        Loss of hearing
•        Pain in bones
•        Swelling in joints
•        Hutchinson teeth (peg-shaped, abnormal teeth)
•        Saber shines (this is a bone disorder in lower legs)
•        Gray patches around anus and vagina
•        Scars on skin around anus, genitals, and mouth

It is wise for pregnant women to undergo syphilis test during their first pre-natal visit to save their baby from such terrible outcomes. 

When it comes to STDs, avoid playing the guessing game. Instead, be sure about your sexual health status. Be more alert about syphilis infection; visit the Arlington, VA, STD clinic today.