At The Urgent Care at Vermont, we evaluate patients for sexually transmitted diseases/infections (STDs/STIs). STDs are infections passed from one person to another through sexual contact, and they are serious illnesses that require treatment. It is important to be treated as soon as possible to avoid spreading the infection. Many STDs once came with very grim prognoses, but most are preventable, treatable, or manageable thanks to modern medicine.
Common STDs
The following are the most common STDs:
- Bacterial vaginosis: a short-term condition caused by an overgrowth of normal vaginal flora. Typically presents with gray or white discharge and a fish-like odor. Treated with a prescription cream, gel, or medication. Recurrence is common.
- Chlamydia: short-term, most common in young women, and includes genital pain and discharge. Treated with antibiotic therapy.
- Gonorrhea: typically resolves within days to weeks with treatment. Symptoms include painful urination, abnormal genital discharge, and sometimes testicular or lower belly pain, but it may be asymptomatic. Treated with antibiotics.
- Hepatitis: a serious liver infection with symptoms like abdominal pain, dark urine, and yellowing of the eyes. It may clear up on its own but serious cases may cause extensive enough liver damage to need a transplant. Preventable by vaccine, treated with an antiviral drug.
- Herpes: a chronic, sometimes lifelong condition that includes symptoms like pain, itching, and small sores on the genitals. Flareups can be managed with antivirals and self care, but the underlying condition is incurable.
- HIV/AIDS: a chronic condition in which the immune system is damaged and left unable to fight infection and disease. There is no cure, but it can be controlled and managed with medication.
- Human papillomavirus (HPV): the most common STD, this is a chronic infection that causes warts in various parts of the body. Even without symptoms, it is possible to spread it with sexual contact. There is no cure, but some types (including those most likely to cause genital warts and cervical cancer) are preventable by vaccine.
- Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID): occurs when sexually transmitted bacteria spreads from the vagina to the uterus, fallopian tubes, or ovaries. Symptoms include pelvic pain and fever. Can be treated with antibiotics and usually resolves within a few days or weeks.
- Syphillis: this condition works in stages, beginning with painless sores on the genitals, rectum, or mouth, followed by a rash, and finally attacking the brain, nerves, eyes, or heart. Treatable with penicillin and antibiotics, but early detection is important to prevent it from advancing.
- Trichomoniasis: a parasitic infection that causes foul-smelling vaginal discharge, genital itching, and painful urination for women, but no symptoms in men. Can result in premature delivery for pregnant women. Treatable with antibiotics, and resolves in days or weeks.
Preventing STIs
There are several ways to reduce or eliminate the risk of an STI.
- Abstaining from sexual contact guarantees no infection (although some STIs can also be spread with contaminated needles).
- Mutual monogamy with one sexual partner will prevent an STI from reaching either of you.
- Limited sexual partners will reduce the risk, but screening is recommended.
- Use condoms: consistent and correct condom use is a highly effective way to reduce STI transmission.
- Vaccination: some STIs can be prevented with vaccines, including hepatitis B and HPV.