What are STDs?
STDs refer to infections that are spread through sexual contact, which includes vaginal, anal, or oral sex. STDs are serious infections that require medical treatment. Some of the most common STDs include:
- Gonorrhea
- Chlamydia
- Human papillomavirus (HPV)
- Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
- Syphilis
- Herpes
- Trichomoniasis
You may be at risk of contracting an STD if you have sex without condoms, sex with multiple partners, or your sexual partner has an STD. While condoms offer protection against many STDs, they can’t protect you from all infections.�
For your health and peace of mind, Dr. Sra and her team at Sun Arizona Medical Group offer STD testing.�
Would I have symptoms if I had an STD?
STDs don’t always cause symptoms, so don’t use that as the deciding factor in whether you get tested. You can also be asymptomatic and pass on an STD to your sexual partner.
Some of the symptoms you may experience with an STD include:
- Foul-smelling or off-color genital discharge
- Genital itching
- Genital sores
- Pelvic pain
- Pain while urinating
- Fever
- Weight loss
If you have any of these symptoms, Dr. Sra and her team can determine the underlying cause and provide the treatment you need to prevent further health complications.�
What happens during STD testing?�
Dr. Sra is a compassionate physician focused on preventive care. When you come in for STD testing, she reviews your medical and sexual history and your symptoms, if any. The information you provide helps her determine which STDs to test for.�
Your STD testing may include a blood draw, urinalysis, or a swab of cells from the inside of your cheek. Dr. Sra may also need to take samples of your genital secretions or swab your genital sores to confirm the cause.�
For women, Dr. Sra may conduct a pelvic exam and swab a sample of cervical cells to test for HPV. Certain strains of HPV increase the risk of cervical cancer.�
What if my STD test is positive?
Dr. Sra is an internal medicine physician and can provide any treatment you need to manage your STD. Some STDs can be cured with an antibiotic. However, there are no cures for HIV or HPV, but Dr. Sra can provide the medical management needed to help control your symptoms.�
To schedule your STD testing, call Sun Arizona Medical Group or request an appointment online today.
