STD & STI Testing & Treatment
Why Get Tested?
Most sexually transmitted infections cause no symptoms at all — which is why testing, rather than waiting for something to feel wrong, is how they get found. As many as 90% of people with genital herpes don’t know they have it, and chlamydia and gonorrhea are frequently silent in both men and women.
Left untreated, these infections do real damage. Chlamydia and gonorrhea can affect fertility. Syphilis is curable but becomes dangerous in its later stages. Untreated HIV and hepatitis C damage the immune system and liver over time. All of them are far easier to handle when they’re caught early.
Testing here is quick and confidential, and if something comes back positive, we treat it in the same office.
Discreet STD & STI Testing & Treatment
For Intown Primary Care, confidentiality is one of our top priorities. We encourage testing for sexually transmitted diseases including, but not limited to: HIV, Herpes types 1 & 2, Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Syphilis, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and Genital Warts (HPV).
Common STDs & STIs
Human Papillomavirus Infection (HPV)
HPV is spread by vaginal, anal or oral sex and is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI) in the United States. HPV vaccines can help prevent some HPV health effects. HPV can cause cervical cancer, vaginal cancer, cancer of the vulva, penis or anus. It can also cause oropharyngeal cancer (cancer in the back of the throat).
Gardasil 9 protects against nine types of HPV, including the types responsible for most cervical, anal, and throat cancers and most genital warts. It is preventive — it stops infection before it takes hold. It does not treat an existing HPV infection or an HPV-related cancer.
It’s FDA-approved for ages 9 through 45. Most people starting the series at 15 or older receive three shots over six months; people starting between ages 9 and 14 usually need only two. We’ll confirm which schedule applies to you.
Side effects are typically mild — soreness, redness, or swelling at the injection site, sometimes headache or nausea. Because the vaccine doesn’t cover every HPV type, continue routine cervical cancer screening regardless.
We recommend that Gardasil®9 be a part of any comprehensive approach to sexual health care.
Genital Herpes
Genital Herpes is caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). Genital herpes is commonly spread via sexual contact and after initial infection, will lie dormant in your body and can reactivate several times per year. There is no cure for genital herpes but medications can ease the duration and severity of symptoms.
Chlamydia
Chlamydia is a common STD affecting both women and men. Untreated Chlamydia can cause severe pregnancy complications, fatal ectopic pregnancy, or damage to a woman’s reproductive system that makes it difficult to get pregnant in the future.
Gonorrhea
Gonorrhea is a bacterial infection in the genitals, rectum, or throat and can cause infertility if left untreated. This infection is especially common among sexually active individuals and young people between the ages of 15-24.
HIV/AIDS
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) causes Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) if left untreated, which interferes your body’s ability to fight infections. If left untreated, HIV and AIDS can lead to severe illness and death. Modern treatments can prevent these outcomes and allow patients to live a full and healthy life.
Syphilis
Syphilis is a bacterial infection that typically spreads by sexual contact. Syphilis may start as a sore or rash, and can be life-threatening if left untreated.
Hepatitis A & B
Hepatitis A and B are contagious liver infections. Hepatitis A usually spreads through contaminated food or water, or close contact with someone infected, and most people recover fully without treatment. Hepatitis B spreads through blood and other body fluids — most adults clear it, but some develop a chronic infection that needs ongoing care.
Vaccines are available for both, and we recommend them.
Hepatitis C
Like Hepatitis A & B, Hep C attacks the liver and leads to inflammation. It is spread by contact with contaminated blood, such as through sharing needles, sharing intimate items, or from improperly sanitized tattoo equipment. There is no current vaccine for Hepatitis C; however, it can be treated with antiviral medications and some newer medications may be able to completely eradicate the virus.
