It doesn’t have an entire month devoted to it for nothing!
That being said, STD and STI awareness doesn’t have to begin and end in April. Staying informed about the risks, testing options and protection offers educators, parents, and young adults themselves a chance to take the necessary precautions to avoid STD’s/STI’s, and to treat them.
AFC Urgent Care Marlborough stands behind the message of STD and STI Awareness Month by offering confidential STD testing, a friendly atmosphere, free of discrimination and judgment for treatment, so that everyone can take action. AFC Urgent Care Marlborough wants to make sure that any unwanted STD and STI is treated as an untreated STD or STI can cause serious harm.
Don’t Become An STD/STI Statistic Next Year!
STD’s are diseases that are passed from one person to another through sexual contact. These include chlamydia, gonorrhea, genital herpes, human papillomavirus (HPV), syphilis, and HIV. Many of these STD’s do not show symptoms for a long time. You can get an STD by having vaginal, anal or oral sex with someone who has an STD. Anyone who is sexually active can get an STD. Some STD’s, like herpes and HPV, are spread by skin-to-skin contact.
The CDC states that the following people are most affected by STIs:
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Adolescents and people aged 15 - 24
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Gay, Bisexual, and other men who have sex with men
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Pregnant people
Bacterial Vaginosis: (BV) is a common, treatable, vaginal condition which can increase your chance of getting an STD.
Chlamydia: Chlamydia is a common, but treatable, STD. If left untreated, chlamydia can make it difficult for a woman to get pregnant.
Gonorrhea: Gonorrhea is a common STD that can be treated with the right medication. If left untreated, gonorrhea can cause very serious health problems.
Syphilis: Syphilis can have very serious problems when left untreated. It is simple to cure with the right treatment.
Herpes: Genital herpes is a common STD, but most people with the infection do not know they have it. While there is no cure, there are medicines available that can prevent or shorten outbreaks. These medicines also can make it less likely to pass the infection on.
As you will see below, since 2016, Chlamydia has been the only STI that has dropped. The other three STI’s have increased over the years.
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Chlamydia - 1.6 million cases; down 1.2% from 2016
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Gonorrhea - 677,769 cases; up 45% from 2016
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Syphilis - 133,945 cases; up 53% from 2016
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Congenital Syphilis - 2,148 cases; up 235% from 2016
Some symptoms may not appear right away. Having no symptoms does not mean one shouldn’t get tested.
Here Are The Most Common STD/STI Symptoms When They Do Show Up
Some symptoms may not appear until further down the line, but when they do, here are some symptoms you should be on the lookout for:
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Painful or frequent urination
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Unusual discharge from the penis or vagina
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Sores or warts on the genital region
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Itching and redness in the genital region
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Blisters or sores in or around the mouth
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Abnormal vaginal odor
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Anal itching, soreness or bleeding
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Abdominal pain
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Fever
Getting Confidential STD/STI Testing At AFC Urgent Marlborough
With in-house labs and no appointments necessary, you can get faster results with less hassle so that you can get on with your life. STD testing at AFC Urgent Care Marlborough is quick, convenient and confidential making us the best place to go to for your STD testing/screening needs. You can also make an appointment online if you prefer a more discreet way to check in.
Also! We now offer an online bill pay option for you to check out in a discreet way, too!
We are open 7 days a week and offer extended hours on the weekday from 8a-8p and weekend hours from 8a-5p for confidential STD/STI testing.
