STD Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
General STD Questions
An STD stands for Sexually Transmitted Disease meaning exactly what it says. A disease that is transmitted in a sexual manner There are many STD’s that can be transmitted in other ways other than sexually but is generally rare.
It is can be very hard to say if you have a STD without proper testing, because some STD’s show very little or no symptoms but if you have had any sexual contact in your life especially unprotected, but not limited to, you are at risk of being infected with a STD and should be tested.
Some STD’s are curable if diagnosed at an early enough time while others have no cure and if you contract it, it will stay with you the rest of your life.
The easiest answer is about 1 in 4 people have an STD but can be even more because some STD’s can be treated at home such as Crabs and won’t end up being counted by medical providers.
Everyone that has engaged in any kind of sexual activity should be tested for all STD’s on a regular basis to insure protection of yourself and future partners.
Transmission of HIV almost always occurs through unprotected anal or vaginal sex, or by sharing needles. If people think they have been exposed to the HIV virus they should get an HIV test. Explore the other questions on this page to help assess if you are at risk for HIV or contact us at (844) 394-8520 and a counselor will assess your risk.
The most commonly used test is a blood test that looks for antibodies to the virus. Antibodies are produced by the immune system to fight the virus. The “window period” is the time that it takes for the antibodies to develop after being exposed. Although many people develop antibodies within the first month of their infection, some people take a bit longer. Clinicians agree that testing at three months after exposure will give a conclusive result. All pregnant women should be tested for HIV so they can be treated prenatally and greatly reduce the risk of transmitting HIV to their baby.
It is especially important to practice abstinence or safe sex and to avoid sharing needles during the window period in order to get an accurate HIV test result, and to avoid the risk of infecting another person since newly infected people are especially infectious to others.
Call us at (844) 394-8520 to get information about testing and testing sites in your area.
Our tests come back in one to three business days, which is extremely quick. A lot of times when you're going to the free clinics, or you know, the local health clinics and things like that, they're taking seven to ten business days. Imagine having to wait in anguish and agony, wondering what your results are when you could get them in one to three business days and get the peace of mind fairly quickly. So, they come back really, really quick. And not only that, you also get in same-day to do your testing.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) state that correct and consistent use of a latex barrier for protection during sex greatly reduces the risk of transmitting HIV. Condoms can protect the mouth, vagina or rectum from HIV-infected semen. Male condoms protect the penis from HIV-infected vaginal fluids and blood in the mouth, vagina, or rectum. Female condoms can be inserted into the vagina or rectum to prevent HIV transmission. They also reduce the risk of spreading other sexually transmitted diseases.
Latex is the most common material for condoms. Viruses cannot get through it. Never use oil-based lubricants like Vasoline, salad oil or hand or body lotion. These can cause tears and leaks in the latex causing it to break. Instead, use a water-based lubricant such as K-Y Jelly. Polyurethane is an option for people who are allergic to latex. Lambskin or natural condoms have pores small enough for HIV to pass through; they do NOT prevent the spread of HIV.
Condoms must be stored, used and disposed of correctly. Also, observe the expiration date on the package and tear it open carefully. Avoid opening by tearing the package with your teeth or using a scissors as tiny cuts may be made in the condom. Never use a product that has been previously used or exposed to extreme temperatures.
Nonoxynol-9 is a chemical that kills sperm and is used in the vagina along with condoms or other birth control methods to help prevent pregnancy. It should not be used as a way to prevent HIV infection because many people are allergic to it. For some, their sexual organs can become irritated from Nonoxynol-9 and develop small sores that actually make it easier for HIV, if present in the other partner, to enter their system.
If you are a virgin and you are not engaging in any sexual activity than you chances of getting an STD are very slim although not impossible. Sexual activity includes any touching of any “private part” either by you or your partner. Once engaged in any sexual activity your chances of contracting an STD increases dramatically.
It should be made more known that even with proper condom usage it is still very easily possible to contract an STD. That being said the only real way to stay clear from STD’s, as I’m sure you’ve heard before, is to refrain from any sexual contact including oral sex. Other than that being in a monogamous relationship where no one cheats and both people have been tested for ALL STDS you would be fine but most places don’t test for all STD’s and sometimes no matter how well you think you know someone sometimes things happen and they cheat so this is not really a fool proof way of being free and clear of STD’s.
If you recently found out you have an STD and you have been in a monogamous with your relationship boyfriend or girlfriend and you have not cheated it doesn’t necessarily mean you partner has cheated on you, contracted an STD and given it to you. Many STD’s can stay hidden with no symptoms for Years. So while Your partner may have given it to you they may have already contracted it before they were with you and it is now just becoming active in their and/or your body. It is in both partners best interests to get tested before entering into a serious relationship so that this situation is avoided.
Yes. If you have contracted and cleared up a bacterial infection, once you finish treatment you are at risk of contracting the infection again. The Antibiotics you took to clear up the infection is just to cure it its not a vaccine
Research has shown that HIV transmission is 2-5 times more likely to occur when another sexually transmitted disease is present. If the STD causes sores or irritation in the skin it can be easier for HIV to enter the body. Even if the STD does not cause open sores or irritation it can stimulate an immune response that can make HIV transmission more likely. Most STDs can be detected by testing within a few weeks after exposure, and many are treatable or curable.
A UTI is a urinary tract infection which is not a sexually transmitted disease. Two totally different things. The difference is that a lot of people will experience symptoms similar to a lot of STDs or STIs like chlamydia and gonorrhea, so it's important with burning, itching, pain. Could be a UTI, but if you've had unprotected sex you give us a call because we wouldn't want you to mistake a UTI for an STD.
You could die. Let's be honest, You need to get tested and you need to get treatment. For something like HIV, HIV in 2019 is not what it was in 1985. People are living longer, healthy, and active sex lives. They are happy, they have partners, but how this happens so they don't get to AIDS and they pass is that they're getting tested they're getting the medication that they need. So, left untreated, just like other diseases, it can be fatal. So, it's a serious topic of making sure you're taking care of your sexual health.
No, swab testing is not painful. It's usually just done in the comfort of your own home and you can drop it off at a lab nearby.
It really depends on the insurance company. Some insurance companies will look at STD testing as an at-risk behavior, kind of like drinking or smoking, if you will. They’ll raise the plan premiums, if claimed, as it goes on the patient's permanent health record. So, it really is important for you to reach out to your insurance company, figure out what their rules are, and if they do actually cover it. Because, if they don't, you could end up paying more out of pocket than what you would assume that you would be paying going in.
I can't tell you all the amount of times I've spoken with multiple individuals that say they had one encounter, they were a virgin, they had sex one time, and this one time they got an STD. It doesn't choose. You don't have to have a lot of money, you don't have to have a high education status, it does not choose. It only takes one time, with one partner. So, get tested. After every partner would be ideal.
A pap smear is typically testing to see if you have any yeast or bacterial vaginosis or a UTI. And then they're also looking for those cells, any abnormal cells that may detect HPV, but they are not looking for sexually transmitted diseases in a pap smear. So, definitely take that into consideration. When you go and get your annual done, if you want an STD check you have to ask for it in addition to your pap smear.
STD Symptom Questions
While most STD’s do show some kind of symptoms it’s very possible that symptoms may go unnoticed or might not exist at all.
- Dark or smelly urine
- A secretion or discharge from a genital organ
- A strange rash or spots on your body
- A burning sensation when urinating
- Bumps, legions, blisters, or warts on the genital area
- An unusual odor
- White spots in pubic hair or small bugs
If your partner is infected with an STD the chances of contracting it are slightly lower when there are no symptoms present such as in HSV but they are still contagious and transmission of the disease is possible.
While many STD symptoms can be prevalent in most cases there can be an unusual amount of times where the symptoms don’t show up for years or are so unnoticeable they go undetected. If you have had sexual relations with a partner it is important to be tested for all STDs to be sure.
This really is going to depend on the person, their immune system, and the type of virus that they may or may not have. So, for instance, your viral infections like HIV, herpes, syphilis, and hepatitis, those are going to start to affect your immune system first, and a lot of times these symptoms won't come to surface for maybe years, or decades, depending on the person. Bacterial infections like chlamydia, gonorrhea, and trichomoniasis have symptoms that typically come fairly quickly. For some, it could be years. For others, it could be days after exposure, maybe even 24 hours. So, it really again does depend on the type of STD we're talking about and then the person and their immune system.
HIV Questions
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is the virus that causes AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome). Being HIV-positive or having HIV disease is not the same as having AIDS. Many people are diagnosed with HIV but may not get sick for many years. Once in a person’s system, HIV begins to attack the immune system and for many who are HIV-positive, over a period of time, they can become ill with a number of conditions.
AIDS is a technical term defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. An HIV-positive person is diagnosed with AIDS when that person has developed certain opportunistic infections or other medical conditions such as a T-cell or CD4 (the most basic element of the immune system) count of less than 200. Only a physician can officially make the diagnosis that a person with HIV now has “AIDS”. Generally an AIDS diagnosis occurs many years after infection.
HIV is the virus, AIDS is the disease and “HIV disease” is the most appropriate way to describe the continuum of HIV to AIDS. It is important to note that an AIDS diagnosis does not mean that an individual will soon die. While severe illness can develop, there are many medications available to help treat these. With good medical care it is possible for a person to maintain good health even after an AIDS diagnosis.
Since scientists first became aware of HIV in the early 1980s, they have explored and debated how and where the disease originated. To this day, the debate continues and different theories exist. Despite these differing theories, all the experts still agree that HIV is the virus that weakens a person's immune system and can lead to either one or more physical conditions that a physician then diagnoses as "AIDS".
In February of 1999, an international team of scientists reported that they had traced the roots of the most common type of HIV (HIV-1) to a virus found in a subspecies of chimpanzees in Africa. It is now generally accepted that HIV is a descendant of this virus. It is believed that the virus was transferred to humans as a result of chimpanzees being killed and eaten or their blood getting into cuts or wounds of people during the hunting process .
While determining the origin of HIV was important to increase understanding of the virus, it is important to now focus on treatments for people living with HIV and education and prevention efforts to stop the spread of HIV.
There are two identified strains of HIV: HIV-1 is the retrovirus usually associated with the epidemic in most of the world, including the United States; HIV-2 is not as virulent as HIV-1 and is primarily epidemic in West Africa. Many HIV tests in the United States will detect either HIV-1 or HIV-2. Blood banks and plasma centers also screen for HIV-1 and HIV-2.
Due to the rare incidence of HIV-2 in the United States, testing for this specific strain of HIV is only recommended if a person has had a known risk with someone from a country where HIV-2 is prevalent.
A person must be infected with HIV in order to infect others. There are no uninfected “carriers” of the disease. The virus is transmitted only by the blood, semen, vaginal fluid or breast milk of an HIV-infected person. It is not transmitted by sweat, tears, urine, saliva or casual contact. In order for transmission to occur, the virus must enter an uninfected person’s bloodstream. The virus can enter the bloodstream through contact with mucus membranes or through open cuts or by injection. Transmission almost always occurs through unprotected anal or vaginal sex (mucous membranes), or by sharing needles. In very rare cases, HIV transmission has occurred through oral sex. HIV can be transmitted from an HIV-positive woman to an infant through breast milk. It should be noted that HIV is not very concentrated in breast milk and it is only through repeated feedings of large quantities of breast milk that transmission may occur.
Transmission is most likely when a person is exposed to high concentrations of the virus. When a person is newly infected with HIV, the virus multiplies very rapidly within that person. A newly infected person is especially infectious to others in the first few weeks and months immediately following infection. This is why anyone who has had a risk of HIV infection should be especially careful to practice abstinence or safe sex or not share needles until they get a definitive HIV test.
No, HIV is a fragile virus and dies within seconds when exposed to light and air (oxygen). Therefore HIV can only be transmitted when an HIV-negative person comes into contact with one of these four bodily fluids: blood, semen, vaginal fluid or breast milk. HIV is most often transmitted through unprotected sex and sharing needles. HIV can NOT be transmitted from hugging, kissing, shaking hands, sharing towels, sharing eating utensils, swimming in public pools, or using public restrooms.
No. Numerous studies by the CDC and other programs have shown no evidence of HIV transmission through mosquitoes. These studies showed that transmission via mosquitoes is not possible because:
- Mosquitoes do not ingest enough HIV-infected blood to transmit HIV to another person. The small amount of the virus ingested by mosquitoes is not substantial enough to cause HIV infection in another person.
- Mosquitoes digest HIV. The virus cannot survive inside the insect and it cannot be passed on to the mosquito’s next host.
- Mosquitoes are not flying hypodermic needles. A mosquito’s complex feeding apparatus does not involve any exchange of blood between the mosquito and host.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) state that correct and consistent use of a latex barrier for protection during sex greatly reduces the risk of transmitting HIV. Condoms can protect the mouth, vagina or rectum from HIV-infected semen. Male condoms protect the penis from HIV-infected vaginal fluids and blood in the mouth, vagina, or rectum. Female condoms can be inserted into the vagina or rectum to prevent HIV transmission. They also reduce the risk of spreading other sexually transmitted diseases.
Latex is the most common material for condoms. Viruses cannot get through it. Never use oil-based lubricants like Vasoline, salad oil or hand or body lotion. These can cause tears and leaks in the latex causing it to break. Instead, use a water-based lubricant such as K-Y Jelly. Polyurethane is an option for people who are allergic to latex. Lambskin or natural condoms have pores small enough for HIV to pass through; they do NOT prevent the spread of HIV.
Condoms must be stored, used and disposed of correctly. Also, observe the expiration date on the package and tear it open carefully. Avoid opening by tearing the package with your teeth or using a scissors as tiny cuts may be made in the condom. Never use a product that has been previously used or exposed to extreme temperatures.
There are chemicals to kill sperm used in the vagina along with condoms or other birth control methods to help prevent pregnancy. These chemicals should not be used as a way to prevent HIV infection because many people are allergic. For some, their sexual organs can become irritated and develop small sores that actually make it easier for HIV, if present in the other partner, to enter their system.
Abstaining from sexual activity with others can eliminate the risk of becoming infected with HIV. Be aware that using drugs or alcohol can impair judgment and make it difficult to maintain abstinence or ultimately practice safer sex. Learn about sexual activities that can reduce the risk of HIV transmission by avoiding exposure to semen or vaginal fluid. For many abstinence is a practical and useful choice, however for others it is not an option so learning about the correct and consistent usage of condoms and latex barriers during sex greatly reduces the risk of contracting HIV.
Even for those who have chosen abstinence as their prevention technique, at some point most adults will enter into a sexual relationship with someone else, thus learning about safer sex prior to that encounter will aid in understanding how to remain HIV-free.
There have been very few documented cases of transmission through solely oral sex thus the risk is extremely low.
HIV is not transmitted through saliva. Sexual transmission of HIV requires the presence of HIV infected blood, semen or vaginal fluid. The risk of transmission is increased by the presence of open cuts or sores in the mouth or on the genitals. Having other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) can also increase the risk of HIV transmission. Specifically, the sores associated with syphilis and herpes can assist with HIV transmission.
Reduce the risk of HIV during oral sex by using a latex or polyurethane barrier such as a condom or dental dam.
It is important to remember that some other STDs, unlike HIV, can be easily transmitted during oral sex. The barriers above can also reduce this risk.
Sharing needles is a high risk behavior for HIV since a contaminated syringe can pass blood directly from one person’s bloodstream to another. Blood can enter a syringe when it is placed into the vein. Some of this blood remains in the syringe after use and can enter to bloodstream of others if the needle is shared. Sharing needles is also a high risk for hepatitis transmission.
An injection drug user who has never shared syringes or other drug paraphernalia cannot become infected with HIV from clean (sterile) syringes regardless of his or her drug use. The exchange of blood from sharing contaminated syringes causes transmission, not the drug use itself.
Chlamydia Questions
No. You can just continue to pass it on to partners but it will stay in your system and get worse or grow the longer it's there.
Yes. I'm sure it would be quite painful, but yes, you can have chlamydia and gonorrhea at the same time. You can have chlamydia and herpes at the same time. You can have gonorrhea and HIV at the same time. These STDs don't pick and choose. Again, you can have them all at the same time.
Gonorrhea Questions
Gonorrhea can be tested in a couple of ways. You can do an anal swab for gonorrhea, a throat swab for gonorrhea, or you can test for it in your urine.
Yes. I'm sure it would be quite painful, but yes, you can have chlamydia and gonorrhea at the same time. You can have chlamydia and herpes at the same time. You can have gonorrhea and HIV at the same time. These STDs don't pick and choose. Again, you can have them all at the same time.
Oral/ Rectal STD Questions
A common misconception is that you cannot get an STD from giving or receiving oral intercourse. This is of course very untrue. There is Gonorrhea of the throat, Herpes, and Genital Warts of the mouth that can all easily be transmitted when engaging in acts of oral sex.
It is possible to contract certain STD’s from kissing such as Herpes from kissing but with most STD’s the chances are pretty slim, but still existent.
To detect chlamydia or gonorrhea in the throat or rectum, a swab test is needed. Urine tests will not detect the infections if they are isolated to the throat or rectum. Typically, laboratory personnel will not conduct swab tests. We provide you with self-swab kits, and the specimen will be tested by the laboratory.
If you have had unprotected oral or anal sexual activity, you should be swab tested for throat or rectal infections of chlamydia and gonorrhea.