STD (STI) testing & treatment available online today

Identifying sexually transmitted diseases based on symptoms alone can be difficult considering that you may not experience symptoms or mistake your symptoms for other common diseases. The only way to truly find out if you have a sexually transmitted disease or infection is to get a STD test.

A STD test can seem daunting or intimidating, but it’s quick, painless, and usually free. However, testing is not always part of a regular checkup at your doctor's office, even during a gynecologist exam. Ask your doctor outright for an STD test. Be honest and open with your doctor about your sex life to ensure that you get the right STD test. Some things you should tell your doctor to figure out the right STD test kit include:

• Any symptoms you are experiencing

• History of STDs you or your partner(s) may have had

• Number of sexual partners

• How frequently you use protection

Learn more about how to get tested for STDs.

The testing process itself differs based on each STD, but most are easy and pain-free. STD testing can take place at testing centers, a STD clinic, or at your doctor's office. A comprehensive STD test can be one or more of the following:

• A physical exam: This usually precedes most STD tests and involves the doctor examining you for warts, sores, rashes, discharge, irritation, and other physical symptoms.

• A urine test: During urine tests, you simply pee in a cup for urine sample collection. Can be used to detect chlamydia and gonorrhea.

• A blood test: The doctor takes a blood sample from your arm or a quick finger prick.

• A cheek swab: You rub a swab around the inside of your cheek, usually to test for HIV.

• Sore tests: Your doctor may take samples of the fluid from blisters or sores.

• Discharge tests: Your doctor may use a swab to collect fluid samples from your genitals (i.e. vaginal swab) , anus, or throat.

Sometimes, your doctor can immediately determine if you have a sexually transmitted disease, but more comprehensive STD test kits can take anywhere from a few days or a few weeks to get STD test results back from the lab. Some clinics also offer rapid HIV testing, which allows you to get definitive STD test results in just 20 minutes. Your healthcare provider may also provide your STD test results online securely.

Oral & genital herpes testing and treatment

Herpes is caused by two viruses, herpes simplex virus type 1 and herpes simplex virus type 2. Viruses of both herpes type can stay in your body for the rest of your life. More than half of all Americans have oral herpes, while 1 in 6 Americans has genital herpes.

Regardless of the herpes type, most people with herpes may not have any symptoms, but one of the most common symptoms is sores and blisters on the genitals and anus and around the mouth. This may also be accompanied with burning, itching, and pain around the genitals. Herpes caused by herpes simplex virus type 2 may also include flu-like symptoms (fever, headache, chills, aches). Common prescriptions our doctors write for oral herpes include:

Learn more about herpes treatment

Chlamydia testing and treatment

One of the most common STDs, chlamydia, is a bacterial infection that affects almost 3 million Americans every year. Chlamydia can be especially sneaky because it often presents no symptoms. That’s why it is such a common infection.

Most people don’t even know they have chlamydia until it gets serious. Symptoms of chlamydia may not show up until several weeks after your initial exposure to the bacteria, but they may include:

• Pain or burning when urinating

• Painful sex

• Yellowish vaginal discharge that has a strong smell

• Watery or milky discharge from the penis

• Swelling or tenderness in the testicles

A chlamydia test requires a urine sample or a cotton swab from the cervix or infected area. Our doctors can provide you with a lab order for testing and prescribe you with any necessary antibiotics.

Learn more about chlamydia treatment

Gonorrhea testing and treatment

Another common STD, gonorrhea is a bacterial infection. Similar to chlamydia, gonorrhea may present no obvious symptoms, so most people do not even know that they may have a gonorrhea infection. Most women do not experience any symptoms. In men, some common symptoms of gonorrhea may include:

• Burning when peeing

• Painful or swollen testicles

• Discharge from the penis that may appear green, yellow, or white

Gonorrhea is easily treated with antibiotics which kill the bacterial infection in a matter of days.

Learn more about gonorrhea treatment

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is a type of liver infection caused by a virus. If left untreated, hepatitis B can cause liver disease. About half of adults who have a hepatitis B infection never get any symptoms, while some symptoms can feel like the flu, cold, or other common illness.

This makes it easy for you to not even know you have hepatitis B. When symptoms do show up, they often don’t happen until 6 weeks to 6 months after the initial exposure, making it even harder to truly pin down. If you think you have hepatitis B, keep an eye out for:

• Jaundice

• Uncommon feelings of tiredness

• Pain in your stomach and a general loss of appetite

• Urine that is dark in color

• Nausea and vomiting

• Aches and pains in your joints

Human papillomavirus (HPV) testing and treatment

HPV is the most common sexually transmitted disease in the country. There are over 100 known types of human papillomavirus, and about 40 of those can infect your genital area. Nearly everyone who is sexually active will get HPV at some point in their lives.

Most types of HPV are harmless, presenting no symptoms. However, some types can cause genital warts (low-risk HPV) or even cancer (high-risk HPV). High-risk HPV generally will not show any signs of infection until it has already caused serious health issues. This is why it is extremely important to regularly get tested for STDs such as HPV.

Learn more about HPV treatment

Syphilis testing and treatment

Syphilis is a bacterial infection. If left untreated, syphilis can cause permanent damage to your nervous system. The symptoms can be mild and hard to notice at first. Some people confuse the initial symptoms of syphilis with pimples or rashes. The disease happens in stages.

The most prominent symptom of the first stage is a sore called a chancre that appears where the syphilis bacteria entered your system. These sores can appear anywhere on your genitals or anus and rarely around your mouth. In the second stage, you may develop rashes on your palms and the bottoms of your feet. This may be accompanied by mild flu-like symptoms. From there, the infection may become latent for several months, but you still require treatment. Since it is a bacterial infection, syphilis is completely curable with correctly prescribed antibiotic medication.

Syphilis test is important towards correctly diagnosing this common sexually transmitted infection and effective treatment.

Learn more about syphilis treatment

HIV & AIDS testing and treatment

There’s no cure for HIV, but there are medications that can help you stay healthy, keep your immune system up and lower the chances of spreading HIV to others. If you’re at risk for HIV, there are medications you can take to help protect you. Early HIV detection is crucial for the sexual health of you and your partner.

We offer services to help prevent HIV, treat HIV, and support HIV positive individuals and their partners. We offer services in: HIV Testing, HIV Test Education, HIV Referrals, HIV Case Management, HIV Prevention.

Learn more about HIV and AIDS treatment

Stay calm

You get your positive test results back. The first thing you need to do is stay calm. Having an STD isn’t great, and you may feel embarrassed, mad, or upset. Take a second to breathe. Remember that even if you test positive, you’ll be okay and you definitely aren’t alone.

Talk to your doctor

From there, follow your doctor’s orders. You may require further testing, or you might go straight into treatment. Most common sexually transmitted infections can easily be treated and cured with medication, so you can finish your course of antibiotics or other prescribed medication and continue with your life.

For common sexually transmitted diseases that can’t be cured, your doctor can prescribe medication that treats your symptoms and prevents you from transmitting your STDs to your sexual partners, allowing you to live a completely normal life.

Inform partner(s)

Speaking of, an important step to take if you test positive for an STD is to inform anyone that you have had sex with. This ensures that they get tested and treated and prevents the further spread of the STD. Granted, this isn’t the easiest conversation to have. Try to stay calm, and understand that there are millions of other people who have STDs and are also in relationships.

Make sure you also do your research and talk to your doctor so you have all the facts. Talk to your partner at a good time, too. Choose a time when you won’t be distracted or interrupted, and find somewhere comfortable and private. Above all, do not insert any sort of blame or guilt into the conversation.

Tap into your support system

Remember that most people will get an STD at least once in their lives, and millions of people are living with STDs right now. If you are having trouble coping, tap into your support system. Leaning on partners, close friends, and family members can help to ease any anxieties. You won’t get better by worrying. You should also consider finding a counselor, therapist, or support group to help you work through your feelings.

PlushCare provides in-depth testing and experienced care for all patients. Our knowledgeable team of doctors can provide diagnosis, treatment, and prescriptions for a wide range of sexually transmitted diseases. If you think you have an STD or are wondering how to tell if you have an STD, book an appointment with one of our medical professionals today.