Sexually transmitted infection (STI) can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender, or sexual orientation. If you suspect that you might have an STI, it is natural to feel anxious, embarrassed, or scared. However, taking prompt action, such as getting private STD testing, will help you figure out how serious the situation is so you can start to seek treatment. Here is a basic guide on what to do if you think you may have an STI.
Assess Your Risk
Honest self-assessment of risk factors can help you determine whether you should seek testing for STIs. Begin by considering your sexual history and behavior, including the number of partners you have had, the type of sexual activities you engage in, and whether you consistently use protection. You should also evaluate the sexual health status of your partners as far as possible. Is there a chance they may have contracted an STI and passed it on to you? Another risk factor to consider is sharing needles for drug use, as this can also transmit certain STIs, such as HIV.
Recognize the Symptoms
Recognizing the symptoms of STIs is crucial for early detection and treatment. While some STIs may not show symptoms initially, being aware of potential signs can help you seek medical advice and testing promptly.
Chlamydia often goes unnoticed because many individuals do not exhibit symptoms. If symptoms appear, they may include painful urination, lower abdominal pain, vaginal discharge in women, and discharge from the penis in men. Left untreated, chlamydia can lead to reproductive health problems.
Gonorrhea shares some symptoms with chlamydia, including painful urination and irregular discharge from the vagina or penis. It can also cause swelling in the testicles and sore throat. Like chlamydia, gonorrhea can lead to significant health issues if not treated, including infertility.
Syphilis progresses through stages. It initially manifests as painless sores at the infection site, followed by a rash that can appear on the body, palms, and soles. Later stages can result in damage to internal organs, neurological problems, and even death if untreated.
Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) has two primary forms: HSV-1 causes oral herpes, which includes cold sores or blisters around the mouth and lips. In contrast, HSV-2 causes genital symptoms like painful blisters or sores on the genital area, buttocks, or thighs. Flu-like symptoms may accompany the initial outbreak.
Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a very common STI that can lead to genital warts that are itchy, uncomfortable, and unsightly. After this, HPV is often asymptomatic until it progresses to serious complications such as cancer. For example, cervical cancer caused by HPV may manifest as pain during intercourse at first.
HIV/AIDS initially causes flu-like symptoms, including fever, rashes, sore throat, and swollen lymph nodes. Then, it enters a long asymptomatic chronic phase before progressing to AIDS. AIDS is characterized by a severely suppressed immune system, leading to rapid weight loss and opportunistic infections.
Stop! Don’t Panic
Discovering potential symptoms of an STI can be alarming, but you must try to stay calm. Many STIs are easily treatable, and early treatment can reduce the threat of long-term health problems. The next step is to consult a healthcare provider for professional advice. You can visit your regular doctor, a sexual health clinic, or a specialized STI testing center. However, until you get tested and know for sure whether you have an STI, it is crucial to put a halt to any sexual activities. This precautionary measure helps prevent the potential spread of the infection to others.
Get Tested
Depending on your symptoms and sexual behavior, your healthcare provider may recommend tests for one or more STIs. It may be prudent to get tested for a range of STIs, as symptoms can often overlap. The process might involve blood tests, urine tests, swabs, or physical examinations. Waiting for test results can be stressful, but understanding the process may help ease your anxiety. Some clinics offer rapid tests with results available in under an hour, while others may take several days to a week. Your healthcare provider may send the results by email or prefer to talk to you face to face.
Receive Treatment
If you have been diagnosed with an STI, your doctor will discuss specific treatment plans with you. For bacterial STIs such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis, antibiotics are usually effective in treating the infection completely. Remember to take the full course of antibiotics—even if symptoms disappear before you finish the medication—to ensure the infection is fully eradicated. While there is no cure for viral infections like herpes and HIV, antiviral medications can help manage symptoms, reduce outbreaks, and decrease the risk of transmission to others.
Can You Still Have Sex?
In general, it is best to avoid sexual activity until you (and any affected partners) have completed treatment and have been cleared by a healthcare provider. This is especially important for bacterial STIs, where re-infection can occur if partners are not treated simultaneously. For viral infections like herpes and HIV, engaging in sexual activity is still possible, but it requires conscientious measures to prevent transmission to others. You should inform recent past sexual partners if you test positive for an STI, as they may also need to be tested and treated as well.
While STIs may be uncomfortable and embarrassing, their impact on your life can be minimized with early detection and treatment or management. So, if you feel that you may have cause for concern, be sure to get tested or consult with your doctor soon.