STD SCREENING & TREATMENT
One in two sexually active people in the United States contracts a sexually transmitted infection or disease (STI, STD) by the time they reach age 25. You may have an STD without even knowing it, so routine screenings are an essential part of your good health. At HELLOMED in Ann Arbor, Michigan, STD testing is available on-site to provide you with confidential, accurate results.
Who needs STD testing?
If you are sexually active, it is important to get regularly tested for sexually transmitted diseases and infections (STDs, STIs). The Center for Disease Control recommends annual testing for sexually active individuals to screen for:
- Chlamydia
- Gonorrhea
- Syphilis
- Hepatitis B
- HIV
STD testing is especially important if you have new or multiple sexual partners, or if you're with a partner who has previously tested positive for a sexually transmitted disease. If you've had unprotected sex, you should receive STD screening.
If you use injectable drugs and share equipment with other people, you should also receive regular testing.
Symptoms of STDs
Symptoms may range from mild to severe. In many cases, if you have an STD, you may not show any symptoms for months or years after becoming infected.
Why Should I Get Tested?
STDs can be present in your body without any symptoms. An STD is a disease that needs professional medical attention. If left untreated, STDs can cause additional medical complications, including:
- Genital pain
- Infertility
- Pregnancy complications
- Pelvic inflammatory disease
- Reproductive cancer
Untreated STDs can also lead to the continued spread of the disease to other individuals.