Getting tested for STDs might not sound like anyone’s idea of a good time. But it’s actually one of the wisest ways to protect your health — and the health of your partner.
At NewMed Immediate Care, Ruchir Thakkar, DO, and his team make it easy for patients in Rolling Meadows, Illinois, and throughout Cook County to get the STD testing they need to stay healthy and avoid serious complications. If you’re not sure if you need (or want) STD testing, here are seven reasons why you should make a screening appointment today.
Roughly 20% of Americans — more than 66 million people — have at least one STD, and worldwide, more than a million people are infected with a new STD every day. Even during the pandemic, roughly 2.5 million new STDs were reported in the U.S. Sexual infections also surprisingly easy to “catch.” Even if you think you’ve been “playing it safe,” infection is still extremely possible, and having STD testing ensures you get treatment as early as possible.
Many people think they only need STD testing if they show symptoms of an infection, but that’s not so. The CDC recommends regular testing for pretty much anyone who’s sexually active, with or without symptoms. That’s because many STDs cause very subtle symptoms in their early stages — so subtle, you might not even notice them or you might attribute them to another cause. The fact is, if you don’t get tested, you could have a worsening infection and not even know it.
The longer you wait to get tested, the longer you’ll be delaying treatment for an underlying infection. That means your infection can get a lot worse, eventually causing problems that are far more widespread. Regular testing detects infections early so the germs that cause them can be eliminated before they spread.
Because STD symptoms can be so subtle, you could be infecting other people and not even know it. Having regular STD testing is important for protecting others, as well as yourself.
Without prompt medical treatment, some STDs (including chlamydia and gonorrhea) can affect female reproductive organs, leaving scar tissue that could make pregnancy difficult or impossible. Prompt treatment prevents serious infections and helps avoid fertility-related problems.
There are a variety of STD tests available, and they all have one thing in common: they’re quick and completely confidential. Nearly all STDs can be diagnosed through urinalysis or a blood test. In a few cases, we might take a sample of fluid or skin for further evaluation.
Today, nearly all STDs can be successfully treated and eliminated. The sooner you have a test, the sooner you can begin necessary treatment. Even when eradication isn’t an option, STDs like herpes can be effectively managed to keep you — and your partner — healthy.
Routine STD testing is an important way to maintain your own health and the health of those you love. To find out more about the tests we offer, call 847-386-2651 or book an appointment online with the team at NewMed Immediate Care today. Located in Rolling Meadows, Illinois, we serve patients from throughout Cook County, including Mount Prospect, Arlington Heights, and Schaumburg, Illinois.
