Your sexual health is a critical part of your overall health, playing just as important a role as a well-balanced diet, drinking enough water and getting enough sleep. The most effective way to know if you have any sexually transmitted diseases or infections is by undergoing periodic testing at your local walk-in urgent care center. Most STDs and STIs do not have outward symptoms, and early detection is key to preventing complications. Testing is recommended at least annually for anyone who is sexually active. Some of the key reasons why you should prioritize getting tested include:

You may only know if you have an STD or STI by your test results

Most sexually transmitted diseases or infections can exist within your body without developing noticeable symptoms for some time, allowing it to progress and cause complications including infertility and certain cancers. Most STDs are easily treatable upon detection, with medications available to remove nearly all traces from your system. However, you need to be tested to find out they are there most of the time. You should be tested if:

• You have multiple partners
• You are switching partners
• You have not been tested in one year

High-risk patients, including those who have multiple partners or a partner with multiple partners, have unsafe sex or share needles when using injectable drugs, should undergo testing more frequently. Talk to your primary care physician to determine how often you should undergo testing, as well as ways you can protect yourself and prevent getting an STD. Both periodic testing and regular checkups with your primary care physician will help you and your partner remain safe and healthy. 

Most STDs and STIs can be treated easily

You may be putting off getting tested because you are afraid of what the results may hold and how they may change your life. However, when detected early, most sexually transmitted diseases can be treated quickly with medication. More serious STDs or progressed infections can be brought to a specialist who will be able to determine the best medication to manage your illness. While the infection will still be present in your body, medication will allow you to live a normal life without the threat of passing the infection to a partner. 

You can get your results quickly

An STD test can be performed by using a sample of tissue from your cheek, blood or urine, which is then processed and analyzed in a lab. Because AFC Urgent Care Southcenter has a lab on-site, we are able to provide test results within a few days, rather than waiting for weeks at a center that ships samples to an off-site facility. This also allows you to begin treatment quickly, which can reduce the chance of complications.

Walk-In STD Testing in Southcenter, Kent, Renton, SeaTac & Tukwila, WA

If you have not been tested in some time or are interested in learning your status, visit AFC Urgent Care Southcenter today! We are open seven days a week, and walk-in patients are always accepted. With a lab within our facilities, we will be able to provide you with results quickly. For questions, please call 425-970-8117.