5 reasons why you should get an STD test
Today, STDs, sometimes referred to as STIs, are a common part of life for tens of millions of people. In fact, the CDC estimates that one in five Americans has an STD. Those numbers tend to surprise people.
STDs are certainly most common among high-risk groups like those aged 15-24, people who have unprotected sex, and those with multiple partners. However, anyone can get an STD at any time.
That’s why it is extremely important for people to have an STD test done at least once in their lifetime. Of course, sexually active individuals should have one more often, such as every year.
Here are five reasons why you should consider getting an STD test:
1.) Better to Be Safe Than Sorry
When it comes to STDs, prevention is always the best option. However, many of them are treatable if you are infected. Of course, that can only happen if you know what you’re up against. By getting an STD test, you can play it safe.
If you start to develop symptoms of an STD, including things like burning with urination, redness or itching around your genitals, or a new sore, then it’s time to come in for an STD test. If your symptoms are being caused by an STD, then you can start treatment early. Of course, if they aren’t, your doctor will help figure out what else is wrong to help resolve the problem.
2.) Worrying is Scarier Than Knowing
Whether you’ve been with the same partner for ten years or frequently meet someone new, worries about an STD can always lurk in the back of your mind. If you start having symptoms of an STD, that worry can consume your daily life.
Getting an STD test helps put your mind at ease. In this case, knowing what you’re dealing with is far less scary than fearing the unknown. Once again, many STDs are treatable and you’ll be able to stop worrying once you start getting treated. For STDs that can’t be cured, you’ll be thankful that you caught the problem when you did.
3.) To Protect Yourself and Your Partners
If everyone took an STD test before having sex with a new partner, the odds of STDs spreading would decrease dramatically. Unfortunately, that isn’t how things work.
However, you can still protect both yourself and your partner by going in for an STD test if you suspect that something is wrong. If your results come back positive, you can share that information with your partner so they can also get tested. If not, then you know that it’s safe to continue having sex.
As always, the best way to protect yourself and your partners during sex is to use a condom. Doing so prevents STDs that spread through contact with bodily fluids from being transmitted.
4.) STD Testing is Quick and Easy
In general, STD testing is a quick process that is far easier than most tests in the medical world. Many tests can be done with a simple urine sample. On occasion, you’ll need to consent for an oral swab, genital swab or blood sample to look for certain STDs.
That being said, the process is extremely easy and shouldn’t take long. Getting tested at Velocity Urgent Care means that your STD testing experience will be even more efficient.
5.) Many STDs are Easily Treated
As noted throughout this article, many STDs can be treated. Many people avoid getting tested because they fear what will happen when they get their results. That approach is a poor one.
By identifying an STD early, you can start getting treated when the infection is most susceptible. In other words, early treatment gives you the best chance of curing the STD (if it is one that can be cured).
Most STDs are treated with antibiotics. Things like gonorrhea, syphilis, chlamydia and trichomonas fall into this category. Other infections, like herpes and HIV, are viral in nature. While these can’t be treated or cured with antibiotics, depending on your symptoms, a doctor may be able to prescribe medications for symptom management.
Velocity Urgent Care is Here to Help
If you suspect you have an STD or are having unusual symptoms, Velocity Urgent Care is here for you. We offer a wide variety of STD tests for the most common infections related to direct partner exposure. If your results come back positive, our providers will prescribe you the best treatment to get you on the road to recovery.
Don’t put your health at risk by not getting tested. If you are concerned that you have an STD or have been exposed to a partner that has one, getting tested is the best thing to do. At Velocity Urgent Care, the process is smooth and simple.
We offer convenient online registration that helps you limit your contact with others during a visit. You can sign up for an appointment online ahead of time and arrive when it’s time to be seen to skip the waiting room. We even offer text message updates so you can wait in the car (if you prefer) until it’s time for your appointment.
In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are taking serious safety precautions to ensure that our locations are as clean as possible. We’ve put strict sterilization protocols into place and are carefully handling patients who may be contagious to ensure that each one of our clinics is safe for those who need urgent medical care or occupational health services.
Velocity Urgent Care is an in-network provider for most major insurance plans, meaning you can be seen for the cost of your co-pay and deductible. All of our locations also accept Medicare, Medicaid, and Tricare. Veterans Administration beneficiaries are also welcome. To find out more about our services, locations, hours, and more, visit www.velocityuc.com.