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What are STD’s?
A Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) is a venereal disease that is transmitted from a person already infected to another through any type of sexual activity that involves the mouth, anus, vagina, or penis. Generally, people mistake STD to be HIV only. Whereas, STD has a spectrum of infections that are not life-threatening but are contracted from another person with whom you are involved physically. Chlamydia, Genital herpes, Gonorrhea, HIV/AIDS, HPV or genital warts, Syphilis, and Trichomoniasis are a few STDs.
What are the Symptoms of STD?
If you are sexually active and have any of the symptoms like pain in urination, sores, and ulcers in and around the mouth, vagina, anus, or penis, itching in the genitals, skin rash, weight loss, and painful intercourse, get screened for any STD’s.
How can I get infected by STD?
You can get a sexually transmitted infection if you had a sexual relationship with someone already infected or in cases of syphilis even skin-to-skin contact can be infectious. Any kind of sexual activity with an already infected person can get you infected too.
Can I have STD with oral sex?
Oral sex is when someone puts his or her lips, mouth, or tongue on a man’s penis, a woman’s genitals (including the clitoris, vulva, and vaginal opening), or the anus of another person. Infection can be contracted by skin-to-skin contact like in genital herpes or syphilis, especially if the skin has some broken edges for the bacteria or virus to attack.
Will I know if my partner had STD?
No, in most cases STD is not known until long and even goes unattended for long periods. Before getting involved in any sexual relationship with an unknown person, it is best to use precaution. STD testing for men is important as they become the main carriers of infection. But most of the time, one indulges in sex without thinking of any consequence of sexual infections. Unless, in severe cases of herpes and syphilis, where the symptoms are visible to the naked eye; you wouldn’t come to know of the infection of your partner.
Do I really need to get tested for STDs?
You definitely need to have STD testing at home if you indulge in sexual activities with multiple partners without knowing the history and health status of the partner. If you had become sexually active at a very young age then too you should get tested, as teens are at maximum risk of developing and getting an infection. If an STD is identified through proper STD test at the right stage; control and proper medical treatment and care will help you attain a normal lifestyle. An ignored STD infection can lead to serious complications like HIV.
How do I protect myself from STDs?
The only way of protecting oneself from STDs is to control sexual habits. Follow monogamy, that is, involved in sex with only one person whose health status is known to you. Avoid sex without a condom or use a water-based lubricant. Don’t have sex with someone whom you suspect may have an STD. Be in your senses before having sex so as to use the condom. Get yourself tested for STD if you have had intercourse with someone recently about whose health status you are unaware of.
What happens when you get an STD test?
Identifying yourself at risk of having an STD itself is a great challenge. Once you decide to get checked; walk into your doctor or talk to us and our doctor shall guide you through the total process. Few STDs like Chlamydia and Scabies do not need blood testing but a few like HIV and HPV need blood testing. Healthians are officially recognized by NACO to conduct HIV tests. Our phlebotomists are specially trained to make your experience a pleasant one and clear all doubts in your mind while maintaining full secrecy.
Will my parents find out if I get tested for STDs?
In case, you are a minor and involved in unethical sexual practice then it is important for you to talk and discuss with parents. But if you are an adult and wish to keep it undisclosed, full secrecy will be maintained from our end. Your reports shall be safe with us.
If I get STD once, I can never have it again.
This is another myth to be broken. If you have had any of the STDs then your body is susceptible to any other types of STD also. You can get any other type of STD or in cases of Herpes, it is recurrent so you can get infected again.
STD is the end of the world.
With the immense increase of medical awareness in people, STD can never be the end of the world. The timely investigation, proper treatment, and healthier choices can help you lead a normal life. In diseases such as HIV where chances of death are high; there are organizations that support HIV people and protect their rights and help them live a life with dignity.
