How Serious Are STDs?

July 14, 2023

Doctor getting a sample from the patient

Getting sick is just a part of life, and many of us expect to contract a few mild to moderate illnesses throughout the cycle of a regular year. What many of us don’t assume, however, is that we will contract an STD.

Did you know that one in five Americans will experience an STD in any given year? Sexually transmitted diseases are actually really common, so you may wind up wondering if you should go in to be tested one day.

That’s where we come in! Our AFC Urgent Care Gastonia team can test for and treat a wide variety of STDs. Read on to learn more about our testing process.

Are STD Symptoms Common?

It may be surprising to know that you could have an STD and not even have any symptoms! Certain STDs can be passed around without producing noticeable symptoms, so they can easily pass through a population in a short amount of time. This is why we recommend coming in to see us regularly for an STD test.

Routine testing allows you to stay on top of your sexual health, not only for your sake, but for the sake of your partners. Come see us any day of the week for a quick test! We will take a swab, urine or blood sample and run it through our rapid tests, and you can expect results in as little as 30 minutes.

Common STD Symptoms

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

What STDs Can a Rapid Test Detect?

There are a wide range of STDs that we are able to diagnose, but the most common ones that we see are chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis and HPV. If any of your tests come back positive, we can discuss your treatment plan and move forward together.

With treatment, the majority of STDs will fade away and you will be good as new. If you don’t treat an STD, you are putting yourself at risk of serious complications later in life. In addition to a worsening infection, you could experience infertility, pregnancy complications and additional diseases like pelvic inflammatory disease. Skip all that scary stuff by getting tested regularly!