Most common STDs to test for at urgent care

If you’re sexually active, getting tested for sexually transmitted diseases/infections (aka STDs or STIs) is crucial to your overall health. Teens and those under 25 are especially at risk for contracting STDs but anyone who is sexually active is at risk.

The statistics are quite eye-opening— it’s estimated that one in two sexually active people will contract at least one of the most common STDs by age 25. And every year, 20 million new cases of STDs are reported every year in the US.

Looking at young people ages 15-24, contract half of those annual cases, which is 10 million young adults every year. Even worse, only 12% of young adults surveyed will get tested for STDs.

What many people don’t know is that STD testing is widely available, you’re not limited to specialty clinics for STD testing – in fact, you can just walk into most urgent care centers for STD testing at any time.

STD vs. STI

STD stands for sexually transmitted diseases and STI stands for sexually transmitted infections. While these terms are sometimes used interchangeably to refer to any sexually transmitted illness, they are not quite the same. 

An STI is an infection caused by a virus, bacteria, or parasite contracted via sexual contact. This is the early stage of the illness that has not yet developed into a more serious disease. If an STI is diagnosed and treated early, it may only cause mild symptoms. 

STDs are diseases that start out as STIs, but have begun to disrupt normal body functions and may have more severe symptoms. 

A good example of the difference between STIs and STDs is the human papillomavirus (HPV). Many people are carriers of HPV but show no symptoms. This would be considered an STI. If the HPV infection develops into genital warts, this would then be considered a more serious STD.

Urgent care STD testing procedure

Even if you don’t have any symptoms of sexually transmitted diseases, it’s a good idea to get tested if you’ve had unprotected sex. Even if it is just a home test kit to start, before going in for a confidential test at Urgent Care, knowledge is power.

Also, if you do use protection but have multiple partners, it’s a good idea to get tested as well, for the safety of you and your partners - and peace of mind.

Testing for STDs is just like getting tested in any other clinical setting. Your medical provider first evaluates you for symptoms that may suggest an STD infection and then runs tests based on what he/she finds during his examination.

Usually, your provider will draw blood or take a urine sample. In other cases, the provider will use a swab to collect a sample from the affected area. In most cases, a physical exam is required, which will include a pelvic exam for females. 

Cost of STD testing at urgent care

It’s hard to say exactly how much an STD test will cost, as your co-pay fluctuates depending on insurance. The total out-of-pocket cost will also be determined by how many tests you need based on the initial consultation.

On average, most pay between $50-100 for initial testing if their insurance is in-network with their medical provider.

Establishing a gynecologist for annual check-ups and screenings is highly recommended. They can help female patients look into birth control options, as well as provide STD testing that is typically covered by most insurance plans.

And don't think you are off the hook, gentlemen! You too should look into annual screenings, as well as regular check-ups between partners.

When to get tested for STDs

If you are not sure when you need to visit urgent care for STD testing, here are some situations when you might want to consider visiting one of our convenient centers:

• Any time after you have unprotected sex, you should get tested 1-2 weeks after and then again 90 days later
• If you exhibit any symptoms of STDs (colored discharge, burning sensation while urinating, etc.)
• Annually if you’re a woman under 25 (specifically for chlamydia; during a well-woman visit)
• Annually if you’re sexually active and not in a mutually monogamous relationship
• Pregnant women, who may or may not be experiencing symptoms, should be tested for chlamydia and syphilis, regardless of their sexual history.

STD symptoms

Symptoms of STDs can vary based on the particular illness and may be experienced differently by women and men. If you are ever concerned one of your symptoms might be an STD, it is best to get tested.

Symptoms in women

Common STD Symptoms in women: 

• Abnormal vaginal bleeding
• Burning or pain with urination or bowel movements
• Discharge or odor from the vaginaI
• Itching or burning in the vaginal area
• Needing to go to the bathroom often
• Pelvic pain
• Pain during intercourse
• Sores, bumps, blisters, or warts in the vagina, anus, or mouth

Symptoms in men

Common STD symptoms in men may include: 

• Burning or pain with urination or bowel movements
• Discharge from the penis
• Itching or burning around or inside the penis
• Needing to go to the bathroom often
• Pelvic pain
• Sores, bumps, blisters, or warts on the penis, urethra, anus, or mouth

How long does an STD take to show up?

If you have been exposed to an STD, you might be thinking when do symptoms of STDs start? When symptoms start can vary, depending on the illness. Most will appear within 2 to 3 weeks of transmission, but some can take up to 6 weeks. This is why STD testing is recommended around 2 to 4 weeks after potential exposure. 

Keep in mind even if you do not have symptoms, you may still be able to transmit the disease to others, so you may want to take precautions or avoid sexual contact until you can get tested.

Most common STDs

The 7 most common STDs vary in terms of seriousness and treatment options. Infections like Chlamydia and Trichomoniasis are easily taken care of by antibiotics, whereas an infection like genital herpes can be managed but never entirely cured.

HPV, Chlamydia, and Trichomoniasis are the most common STDs in the United States. HPV and Chlamydia are most common in men and women under the age of 25. 

HPV infection can be particularly concerning for women, as it increases their risk for cervical cancer. Trichomoniasis is a vaginal infection that also primarily affects young women. 

Here are the details about the most common STDs, symptoms to look for, and treatments in men and women:

Genital Human Papillomavirus (HPV)

Without a doubt, HPV is the single most frequently occurring STD. It’s spread through oral, anal, and vaginal sex. It can also be spread by skin-to-skin contact, though the infection typically inhabits the genitals, mouth, or throat. Most of the time, women with HPV are unaware they have it - no symptoms are present in most cases.

HPV is especially common in women. Although the infection usually clears on its own within 2 years, this isn’t always the case. Major complications can arise if the body does not rid itself of the virus. Some strains can lead to problems like genital warts and cervical cancer.

Treatment

Screening for HPV during a pap smear is the best way to determine if further treatment is needed or if the virus will clear on its own.

The good news is that the dangerous strains of HPV can be prevented with a vaccine. It is recommended that both boys and girls get vaccinated for HPV at 11 years old. The vaccine should be administered twice, 6-12 months apart.

If the person was not vaccinated when they were younger, it’s ideal to get vaccinated if you’re under 26.

Chlamydia

Similar to HPV, chlamydia is a highly prevalent STD that often doesn’t show any signs or symptoms. The infection develops about 1-3 weeks after the initial exposure, and it’s contracted through oral, vaginal, or anal sex. With only about 25% of women experiencing symptoms (while 50% of men report experiencing symptoms) making well-woman visits is vital for prevention and limiting other exposure.

Symptoms can include: 

• Vaginal discharge
• Painful urination
• Rectal pain or discharge
• Inflamed eye
• Bleeding between menstrual cycles
• Pain during sex
• Abnormal discharge from the penis
• Painful urination
• Rectal pain or bleeding
• Inflamed eye
• Testicular pain and swelling
• Burning sensation in the penis

Treatment

Chlamydia is easily treated with a 7-day course of antibiotics. If left untreated, it can lead to many reproductive problems for women. The infection can move upward to the uterus and fallopian tubes, possibly leading to infertility. Chlamydia is most prevalent in women ages 15- 24, so make sure to schedule an STD check annually if you fall within that age range.

Trichomoniasis

An infection caused by a parasite, Trichomoniasis is a common STD that causes few symptoms to indicate infection. The infection is spread from a penis to a vagina or from a vagina to a vagina. It’s very rare for the infection to affect other body parts like the hands or mouth.

About 70% of infected people do not show any symptoms, but some symptoms do occur within 5-28 days after being infected.

Symptoms can include:

• Itching or irritating inside the penis
• Burning after urinating
• Discharge originating from the penis
• Burning, soreness, or itching of the genitals
• Discomfort while urinating
• Colored vaginal discharge with an unusual smell

Treatment

Luckily, Trichomoniasis is considered the most curable STD. Medical providers will write a prescription for antibiotics which should clear the infection. To relieve symptoms, an infected person can use a cold compress on the infected area.

Gonorrhea

Any sexually active person can contract gonorrhea by having vaginal, anal, or oral sex with an infected person. It can also be passed on from a pregnant woman to her baby during birth.

Sometimes referred to as “the clap” or “the drip,” gonorrhea often, but not always show symptoms. While symptoms for men are expected, many women with gonorrhea do not have any symptoms whatsoever. Or, if symptoms are present in infected women, they tend to be mild and can be mistaken for a UTI.

Symptoms of gonorrhea include: 

• Burning sensation during urination
• Colored discharge from the penis
• Increased vaginal discharge
• Bleeding between menstrual cycles

Treatment

Usually, a urine sample is used when testing for gonorrhea. However, a swab may be used to collect samples from the throat or rectum if applicable. Gonorrhea is usually curable with antibiotics; however, drug-resistant strains of gonorrhea have increased in recent years.

Genital Herpes

Genital herpes is a common STD with about 1 in 5 Americans carrying the disease. Up to 90% of people infected with the disease are unaware they have it. It can take as little as a few days after sexual contact to develop symptoms. There is no universal rule as to how fast herpes develops and progresses.

Typically, infected persons experience genital herpes in episodes. The initial outbreak is marked by sores, vesicles, or ulcers known as “lesions.” They look similar to zits or blisters. Some people experience lesions that are incredibly painful whereas others might experience lesions so mild it can be mistaken for a yeast infection or jock itch. In more extreme cases, an infected person may also experience flu-like symptoms like fever and headache.

After the first episode, the severity of symptoms tends to decrease. Lesions will become less pronounced and less painful with time. Since genital herpes specifically inhabits the nerves surrounding the spine, outbreaks will usually occur in the upper thighs, buttocks, and genitals. Lesions will not occur on the face. Sometimes, factors like illness, stress, and friction will trigger outbreaks in an affected person.

Treatment

Unfortunately, genital herpes is an incurable condition; however, it can be managed with antiviral treatments.

The best way to avoid herpes is through prevention. Genital herpes is spread through vaginal, anal, and oral sex with an infected person. The fluids found in herpes lesions carry the virus. Even with a condom, the disease can be spread by parts of the body that are left uncovered. 

Rarely, herpes can cause inflammation of the brain, liver, and other organs during the initial infection. If you suspect that you have contracted genital herpes, you should always get evaluated at the time of the rash to confirm the diagnosis and to ensure you are not having more serious complications.

Syphilis

Although syphilis is easily cured by antibiotics, it can lead to very serious health problems if left untreated. As syphilis affects the body in stages depending on how long it’s left untreated, certain damage cannot be reversed.

Any sexually active person can contract syphilis via vaginal, anal, or oral sex. It’s spread via sores that occur on or around the penis, vagina, anus, rectum, lips, or mouth. Also, it can be passed from mother to child during birth.

4 stages of Syphilis in adults

1. One or more sores are located where the disease entered your body. Usually, this stage is relatively painless and persists for 3-6 weeks. The sore will heal, but that does not mean the disease is cured. This simply is the natural progression to the next stage.
2. Secondary Stage – A red or reddish-brown rash starts in one or more areas of your body. Typically, the rash doesn’t itch, but other symptoms can include fever, sore throat, headaches, and weight loss. Without treatment, the symptoms will disappear and proceed to the next stages.
3. If left untreated, syphilis will seemingly disappear and show no symptoms for a period of time. This stage can last for years until symptoms occur in the next stage.
4. Tertiary Stage - At this stage, syphilis affects organ systems like the cardiovascular and nervous systems. The tertiary stage is incredibly serious, occurs approximately 10-30 years after the initial infection, and can result in death.

Treatment

Syphilis is curable with antibiotics. It is important to get tested as early as possible and start treatment immediately to avoid more serious complications. 

HIV

The HIV/AIDS epidemic of the 90s terrified the world. While we don’t have a cure yet, many people live long lives with HIV. Awareness is also more common these days than it was in the 90s, and there are many more resources around these days as well.

HIV is a virus that destroys white blood cells, which are a critical part of the immune system. White blood cells fight off harmful viruses, so HIV harms the body by weakening a person’s immune system. When the immune system is compromised, other serious diseases can develop and jeopardize your health. 

Stages of HIV

After contracting HIV, the disease moves in stages if left untreated.

1. One to four weeks after contracting the virus, many people experience flu-like symptoms like fever, swollen glands, headache, sore throat, and muscle pain.
2. Asymptomatic Stage – After the initial stage, many people begin to feel better and can be symptom—free for 10-15 years. However, even if no symptoms are present, the disease can still cause damage to a person’s immune system.
3. At this stage, a person is said to have acquired immune deficiency syndrome or AIDS. The body is vulnerable to many types of infections that it could ordinarily fight off.  

Early HIV signs and symptoms may include:

• Fatigue
• Fever and chills
• Headache
• Sore throat
• Swollen lymph glands - usually one of the first signs of an HIV infection
• Rash

Late-stage HIV infection symptoms include:

• Persistent fatigue
• Night sweats and chills
• Long fevers, sometimes lasting weeks with temperatures of more than 100.4° F (38° C)
• Chronic diarrhea
• Extremely swollen lymph nodes
• Persistent headaches and migraines

Treatment

Fortunately, new advances in medicine can allow people diagnosed with HIV to live long, productive lives; however, the disease is still not curable and if left untreated, can develop into AIDS. 

The best prevention method – aside from abstinence – is by properly using condoms whenever engaging in anal or vaginal sex. Keep in mind that oil-based lubricants can weaken condoms, so it’s best to stick to water-based lubricants. HIV is spread by bodily fluid contact, so transmitting the virus is most likely during sexual contact or when sharing needles to inject drugs. Women with HIV may pass the infection to the baby during childbirth.

Wrapping It Up

The most important takeaway here is to use protection. Although STDs range in seriousness and treatability, taking the proper preventative measures is your best bet. Male and female condoms do not entirely eliminate the transmission of STDs, but they can greatly reduce the chances of all STDs.

If you experience any symptoms of an STD after a sexual encounter, you should abstain from sex until you can get tested. In addition, be sure to tell any past partners to prevent spreading STDs before your diagnosis. STD testing is easy and can usually be done at your local Urgent Care Center. Luckily, most STDs can be eliminated entirely or at least greatly reduced in severity with the right medication.

We can’t stress it enough: use protection to prevent STDs! For more information regarding STD prevention or the risks of becoming infected, visit the CDC's website at: www.cdc.gov/std/prevention/.

Our Urgent Care Centers offer STD tests, as well as other tests for your medical needs with no appointment necessary. We are open every day with extended hours, making it easy for you to come in after work, on lunch, or whenever is convenient.

Written by Sarah Thebarge, Physician Assistant