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STD FAQS |
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Did You Know . . . Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), also known as venereal
diseases, refers to more than 50 diseases and syndromes that may be transmitted
through the exchange of body fluids?
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STDs infect at least 55 million Americans and are spreading at the rate of 12 million
new cases each year. A conservative estimate predicts that STDs will affect one
in four sexually-active Americans at some time.
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Nearly 65% of all STDs occur in people younger than 25 years of age. The most common
STDs on college campuses include chlamydia, genital herpes, and genital warts.
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STDs have disproportionate impact on women. Because of anatomical differences, women
are more susceptible to STD infection, less likely to experience symptoms than men,
and are more difficult to diagnose.
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Medical costs associated with STDs in the United States total over $8 billion each
year.
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How do you know if you have a STD?
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Most STDs have symptoms such as a discharge from the penis or vaginal area, a burning
feeling during or immediately urination, a "fishy" odor, a rash or open sores in
the genital area.However, some STDs
may not have any symptoms at all.
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How do I know if I am at risk?
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More than one partner in the last 60 days.
- Your partner has other partners.
- If you have unprotected sex with more than one partner.
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What happens if I have symptoms?
- You may come to the clinic and asked to be tested. If you come to the walk-in clinic
(hours: Monday through Friday 9:00 am - Noon. You may have to wait to be seen. You may also
make an appointment by calling 286-3798 (hours for appointments: daily 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm,
except Tuesday 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm. You will be interviewed by a counselor who will ask several
questions about your health and your sexual history. The nurse will collect some specimens by
swab and the lab will do some rapid tests to see if a partial diagnosis can be given at that
time. There may be a slight discomfort while the swabs are being collected.
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What STDs do you test for?
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Rapid testing includes smears for the detection of ngu (non-gonococcal urethritis)
and gonorrhea in men. Women can be tested rapidly for bv (bacterial vaginosis),
yeast, trichomonas and mpc (muco-purulent cervicitis). Other testing, for which
you will be instructed to call back to get the results, include assays for chlamydia
and gonorrhea using a new amplified DNA probe test which replaces traditional culturing
techniques. You may also be tested for syphilis (a blood test), hepatitis b &
c, or a herpes culture taken if rash-like blisters are present.
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What happens if I have a STD?
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Depending on your test results, we will give you medication or a prescription for
that medication. If you have gonorrhea, chlamydia or syphilis, your partner(s) must
be notified. (this is required by the state.) A disease prevention investigator
here at the health department will need names and addresses of all partners in the
past 60 days or longer. If you are diagnosed with a mpc or ngu, we encourage you
to have your partner tested and treated. Hepatitis b vaccines are also available
in a three shot series.
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If you have any questions about this information, please call 286-3798.
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