For sexually active adults and teenagers, the risk of getting a sexually transmitted disease (STD), sexually transmitted infection (STI), or venereal disease (VD) is fairly high.
The American Sexual Health Association estimates that one in two sexually active persons will contract an STI by age 25. Additionally, the CDC estimates that over 20 million new STIs are contracted each year from individuals between the ages of 15 and 25.
However, some adults may associate an STD test, screening, or treatment as a stigma or societal taboo. Many sexually active people may not realize that buying into stigmas or negative stereotypes about STD testing can have impactful health consequences.
An undiagnosed, and subsequently untreated, STD can lead to significant health complications and seriously impact sexual and reproductive health. So what should patients do to prevent STDs, treat an emerging disease or infection, and protect their overall sexual health?
AFC Urgent Care Denver is here to provide you with the clinical guidelines from leading healthcare organizations on how to best prevent, manage, and treat STDs, STIs, and VDs that you may experience. And as always, patients that need immediate and discreet treatment can always visit one of our four AFC locations across the Denver area.
What are STDs, STIs, and VDs?
The key differences between STDs, STIs, and VDs are minimal but can lead to varying degrees of medical diagnoses depending upon which one you have.
The American Sexual Health Association explains that STDs are a clear medical problem in the form of multiple symptoms and worsening health due to a new infection. An STI simply refers to the infection from a new bacteria or organism living inside of a person’s body. Basically, a person can either contract an STI without any symptoms or have an STI that develops into an STD.
Venereal diseases are synonymous with STDs and medical conditions or ailments caused by sexual activity or intercourse. The most common STDs in the U.S according to the CDC include:
- Chlamydia
- Gonorrhea
- Bacterial vaginosis
- Genital Herpes
- Hepatitis
- HIV/AIDS
- Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
High-profile STDs including Gonorrhea and Chlamydia infect thousands of individuals each year. The latest CDC numbers show that nearly 500,000 people each year contract Gonorrhea and 1.7 million adults become newly infected with chlamydia.
How to prevent STDs and STIs
Even though STDs are a common infectious disease, there are plenty of ways for individuals to prevent STDs in their lifetime.
The most effective way is of course abstinence, but the majority of adults engage in sexual activity during their adult lives. Other CDC-recommended STD prevention steps include the following behaviors and practices proven to reduce STDs or STIs:
- Getting a vaccination for certain STDs/STIs including hepatitis and HPV
- Reducing the number of sexual partners you have or participating in mutual monogamy
- Using protection such as a condom can help decrease the chances of contracting an STD
A critical step in preventing an STD is for you and your partner to get a STD test or screening from a local healthcare provider. Knowing your risks beforehand can help prevent diseases and manage any symptoms as soon as possible.
If you need an STD test, look no further than one of our four AFC Urgent Care locations across Denver:
Visit any one of our AFC locations for fast and immediate STD screenings!
For patients located in Denver that believe they should get an STD screening or test, make sure to visit your nearest AFC Urgent Care for fast, affordable, and comprehensive service!
Each one of our locations is equipped with on-site laboratory equipment so that even walk-in patients can come in and get their STD test results on the same day. While appointments are not necessary, patients that want the fastest possible services should schedule an appointment online.
Live in the Denver Speer neighborhood? Check out our AFC Denver Speer clinic right off our Speer Boulevard for discreet and fast treatment. The address is 777 E. Speer Boulevard for patients that want to visit as a walk-in patient!
Call AFC Urgent Care Denver Speer!
Additionally, we also have a highly convenient Denver Park Hill location that is in the immediate proximity of Congress Park, City Park, and Hale for residents located near those neighborhoods/areas!
STD testing, screening, and prevention shouldn’t be a hassle. Whenever you need a private screening and STD test results, make sure to keep AFC Urgent Care Denver in mind!
