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Clinical Services | Family Planning | Sexually Transmitted Disease Testing

Sexually Transmitted Disease Testing

 

 

Test

 

To Be

 

Sure

 

Panhandle Health District tests for chlamydia, gonorrhea and HIV. Many STDs have no symptoms, so tests are an important part of the medical routine if you're at risk.

 

How are STD infections prevented?

A long-term monogamous sexual relationship with a tested partner is the best prevention. Unprotected sex with an untested partner places a person at high risk of infection with HIV, chlamydia, gonorrhea and more.

 

What is Chlamydia?

Chlamydia is one of the most common STDs, particularly among young women. The Centers for Disease Control and Protection recommends that all sexually active women younger than 26 get tested for Chlamydia annually. Women older than 26 should get tested if they have new or multiple sex partners.

Chlamydia is caused by bacteria that can damage a woman's reproductive organs. Chlamydia symptoms are usually mild or non-existent, but serious complications can cause irreversible damage and even infertility before the problem is apparent.

 

How do people get chlamydia?

Any sexually active person can become infected with chlamydia, and an infected mother can pass the infection to her baby during vaginal childbirth.

 

What are the symptoms of chlamydia?

Three quarters of infected women and half of infected men have no symptoms. When symptoms occur, they appear within one to three weeks after exposure. Women may have abnormal vaginal discharge or a burning sensation when urinating. As the infection spreads, some women may have lower abdominal pain, low back pain, nausea, fever, pain during intercourse or bleeding between menstrual periods.

Men may have  discharge from their penis or a burning sensation when urinating. Men also may have burning and itching.

 

What happens if chlamydia is untreated?

An untreated chlamydia infection can spread to a woman's uterus or fallopian tubes and cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). PID can lead to permanent damage, chronic pelvic pain, infertility and pregnancies outside the uterus. Women infected with chlamydia are five times more likely to become infected with HIV, if exposed.

Complications in men are rare and range from pain and fever to sterility.

 

How is chlamydia diagnosed?

Panhandle Health District tests for chlamydia in women with either a cervical swab or a urine test. Men take a urine test and shouldn't urinate for two hours prior to their test appointment.  Family Planning recommends scheduling an appointment for a pelvic exam or male exam with PHD's nurse practitioner. PHD helps patients with positive results inform their partners.

 

How is chlamydia treated?

When test results are positive, PHD's nurse practitioner prescribes antibiotics.

 

What is gonorrhea?

Gonorrhea is a bacteria-caused disease that spreads through unprotected sexual contact with an infected person.

 

What are the symptoms of gonorrhea?

Some men and women have no symptoms. In other men, symptoms start two to five days and even up to 30 days after infection. Symptoms in men include a burning sensation when urinating, or a white, yellow or green dischange from the penis. In some men, testicles swell and grow painful.

Symptoms in women are often mistaken for a bladder or vaginal infection. Symptoms include a painful or burning sensation when urinating, increased vaginal discharge or vaginal bleeding between periods.

 

What complications does gonorrhea cause?

In women, untreated gonorrhea can cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). About 1 million women each year in the United States develop PID. PID can lead to permanent damage, chronic pelvic pain, infertility and pregnancies outside the uterus.  In men, gonorrhea can cause pain in the testicles that may lead to infertility. People with gonorrhea can contract HIV more easily.

 

How is gonorrhea diagnosed?

PHD tests women with a cervical swab or a urine test. Men take a urine test and shouldn't urinate for at least two hours before their appointment. Family Planning recommends a pelvic exam for women or a male exam with PHD's nurse practitioner. PHD helps patients with positive results inform their partners.

 

How is gonorrhea treated?

When test results are positive, PHD's nurse practitioner prescribes antibiotics.

How does PHD test for HIV?

PHD offers Rapid HIV testing that provides results in as little as 15 minutes. The test uses a drop of blood from the patient's finger. Tests cost $35 to $55, depending on income. PHD helps patients with positive results inform their partners.

 

How do I make an appointment for a test?

Call the PHD in your county.

 

How do I teach my children about STDs?

PHD Family Planning nurses offer 60-minute to 90-minute educational PowerPoint presentations to high school and college classes. The presentations cover what STDs are and how they're contracted and prevented, with an emphasis on abstinence. Call Donna Marshall-Holden at 415-5298 to schedule a presentation.

Here are some informational brochures:

Here are some helpful websites:

 

 



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