STD Testing
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Ladera Urgent Care
Urgent Care located in Ladera Heights, Los Angeles, CA
Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) aren’t uncommon. More than a million people contract them worldwide every day. If you have an STD and it goes untreated, it can threaten your health and, in some cases, your life. STD testing at Ladera Urgent Care in the Ladera Heights area of Los Angeles, California, provides an early diagnosis that can lead to the proper treatment. Call today or go online to schedule an appointment with the board-certified team for STD testing.
STD Testing Q&A
What is STD testing for?
Both men and women get sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). If you’re sexually active, STD testing helps you maintain good sexual health.
STDs spread through vaginal, anal, and oral sex. You’re also at a higher risk of developing an STD if you have more than one sexual partner.
You can have an STD and not know it because some STDs don’t show any symptoms, especially in their early stages. Getting tested and asking your partner to get tested can help protect yourself and them.
What kind of tests you have and how often you get them depends on your sexual history, overall health, age, and symptoms.
Over 20 different STDs can be transmitted through sexual contact. The most common STDs are:
- Gonorrhea
- Chlamydia
- Syphilis
- Trichomoniasis
- Hepatitis B
- Genital herpes
- HIV/AIDS
- Human papillomavirus (HPV)
You can also have STD testing when you get a Pap smear at your woman wellness checkup if you requested it.
What symptoms suggest that I need STD testing?
Obvious symptoms of an STD include:
- Itching in or around your genital area
- Vaginal pain
- Vaginal discharge
- Burning sensation during urination
- Painful intercourse
- Fever, body aches, and fatigue
- Growths, bumps, or sores in or on your genitals
These symptoms are similar to those of other conditions, like a urinary tract infection (UTI). The Ladera Urgent Care team recommends STD testing for an accurate diagnosis when these symptoms appear.
What can I expect during STD testing?
STD testing is typically quick and painless. Depending on your infection, your provider tests you by swabbing your:
- Vagina
- Penis
- Cervix
- Throat
- Cheek
- Rectum
- Blisters or sores
Your provider might also use blood and urine tests to reach an accurate diagnosis.
What happens if my STD test is positive?
Many STDs simply require taking antibiotics to eliminate the infection.
If you have herpes or HIV, antiviral drugs can help you manage your disease since there isn’t a cure.
Your provider also provides resources for safe sex practices to educate you about preventing STDs and their spread.
Call today or go online to schedule your confidential STD test with the professional team at Ladera Urgent Care.
