Getting sick is a natural part of regular life, even if it is a bit frustrating or inconvenient. While you probably associate sickness with illnesses like colds or the flu, STDs should also be considered a part of this list.

Even if thinking about STDs makes you uncomfortable, they are really common! One in five Americans experience one in any given year, making them one of the most common types of illnesses. Routine STD testing is a responsible part of maintaining your sexual health.

Read on as our AFC Urgent Care Ballantyne team explains more about our testing process and how we can help you.

Do All STDs Cause the Same Symptoms?

Unfortunately, no. In fact, some STDs don’t cause any symptoms whatsoever! That’s what makes them so tricky at times. If you are sexually active, you could be walking around with an STD and not even know it. That not only puts you at risk of further health complications, it also increases the risk that you pass it on to your partner and get him or her sick.

This is why getting tested regularly is important, regardless if you have symptoms or not. STD testing is really easy if you come to us at our AFC center! Our STD tests have a quick turnaround time and can give you results in as little as 30 minutes. We do a quick blood draw, take a urine sample or swab and run it through our lab.

Common STD Symptoms

• Burning with urination
• Abnormal discharge
• Pain during or after intercourse
• Itching or general discomfort

What STDs Can AFC Diagnose?

There are over 20 different types of STDs, which can make it hard to diagnose yourself on your own. We can test for and treat whatever infection you have, including chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis and HPV. If any of your tests come back positive, we have the right treatment to help you feel better right away.

Treating an STD promptly is crucial to your long-term health. Failing to treat an STD can increase your risk of suffering chronic issues like infertility troubles, pregnancy complications and more serious diseases like pelvic inflammatory disease. Our team is here seven days a week, so don’t hesitate to come see us and we will take care of you.

Safeguarding Your Sexual Health

• Test frequently/before a new relationship.
• Communicate clearly with partner.
• Always wear a condom.
• Get vaccinated against hepatitis A, hepatitis B and HPV.

We are always here for you. Stop by for an STD test today at AFC Urgent Care Ballantyne.