While STD rates are the highest they’ve ever been in the United States this year, they’re most common among young adults between the ages of 15 and 24.

Even though STDs are most common among this age group, everyone who is sexually active should get regular STD tests to lower the infection rates and benefit their overall and sexual health. Read on as our team at AFC Urgent Care Indian Trail further elaborates.

Why Is STD Testing Necessary?

One of the biggest reasons to get regularly tested for STDs is because many of these infections don’t usually show symptoms right away. Many people can have an STD and not know they have one!

If an STD is left untreated or undetected, it can lead to serious health conditions, such as other life-long STDs and an increased risk of cervical cancer and infertility. As long as you’re sexually active, you should be tested for STDs at least once a year, but those who are sexually active with more than one partner should be tested at least every three to six months. We’ve listed some additional reasons why you should get STD tested below.

Other Reasons STD Testing Is Important

• Getting tested is quick and easy. STD tests at our AFC center are quickly performed and some show results in just a few minutes. No needles are necessary as tests are performed by a swab in the mouth or urinating in a cup.
• Most STDs are treatable. The sooner you know your status, the sooner you can get treated.
• Many people are unaware that they have an STD. Many STDs have symptoms that aren’t visible or noticeable, or don’t develop symptoms for months or years. The only way to know your status is to get tested.

What Will Increase STD Risk?

Unprotected sex and sex with multiple partners are two of the biggest factors that can increase your risk of developing an STD.

However, they aren’t the only risk-factors, so we’ve listed some additional ones to be on the lookout for below.

Additional STD Risk-Factors

• Having a history of STDs. Having one STD makes it much easier for another STD to take hold.
• Injecting drugs. Needle sharing spreads many serious infections, including HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C.
• Being young. Half of STDs occur in people between the ages of 15 and 24.

Want to learn more about STDs or need to be tested? Don’t hesitate to reach out to our AFC Urgent Care Indian Trail team today!