STD Testing/Counseling
STD testing/counseling
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs or STDs) are a major public health problem. STIs are usually asymptomatic initially, but can lead to various serious complications such as scarring of the Fallopian tubes, infertility, pelvic infections, sepsis, and even death. The immediate goal of screening for STIs is to diagnose and treat infected persons before they develop complications, and also to identify and treat their sex partners to prevent transmission and reinfections. Highest risk are young women(15 to 24 years old), women with a history of a prior STI, women with multiple or new partners, those with inconsistent condom use, HIV-positive women, pregnant women, women in a correctional facility or juvenile detention center, and women with history of illicit drug use. Many women with new complaints of vaginitis or abnormal bleeding, will qualify for testing to rule out STIs.
Gonorrhea and chlamydia are the most common STIs. Herpes, HPV, and Trichomonas are also common STIs. Syphilis, HIV, Hepatitis, and Mycoplasma are less common STIs.