Sexually transmitted diseases or STD are diseases that can be passed from person to person through sexual contact. Some of these STDs can also be transmitted through contact with skin of someone else. A pregnant woman can also pass the disease to her unborn child at childbirth. STDs are highly contagious diseases that are considered to be fatal. The intensity of STDs varies depending on the type of disease and its severity. Some STDs are curable which means that the bacteria can be killed and completely eliminated from the patient’s system. Examples of curable STDs are Chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis. HIV, herpes and AIDS are incurable diseases which results to more serious complications in the long run.

A person who is infected with STD has a high risk of getting HIV also. This is because the person’s immune system is being attacked by either the bacteria or the virus that causes the disease.

This will then weaken the patient’s body, making one more vulnerable in catching other illnesses and diseases. STDs, when untreated can cause several health problems such as pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), reproductive health problems like infertility and cancers.

For diseases that show symptoms, one may experience pain during urination, pain during sex, sores, blister, lumps, bumps, unusual or bad-smelling vaginal discharge, severe itching or burning in the genital area, unusual bleeding, rashes on the genitals and pain in the pelvic region. However, there are several STDs that are asymptomatic. These diseases are difficult to detect since it does not show any signs or symptoms.

So, whether one sees symptoms of infection on his or her body or is just plain doubting his or her health condition, taking an STD test is the best action to take. STD test is done by taking blood, urine or swab samples from the patient. After the samples are tested in the laboratory, results may come out in a few weeks. However, quick STD testing is now being offered in several private STD testing clinics. This test has the same procedure but can give out results in twenty minutes.

If the patient opts to have the test in private, a confidential STD testing may be done. This is when the personal information of the patient is not required when taking the test. There are lots of other kinds of STD testing, so there is no reason for someone who is in doubt of his or her medical condition not to be tested.

STD testing is one way to get treatment at the most prompt time. This is actually the initial stage of treatment. Treatment concerning medications should then follow after the test and patient is diagnosed to be infected with STD. For curable STDs, antibiotics will be prescribed.

Aside from medications, counseling will be recommended to prevent the patient from suffering extreme trauma and stress. Counseling will also prepare the patient of the treatment that will be given to him or her. The length of time for treatment will depend on how the patient’s body responds to the medications.