No one wants an STD. They can make life complicated, there’s a lot of stigma surrounding them and having one can make for an awkward conversation with your current partner.

While this is the case, one in five people currently have one, according to the CDC. This number is actually an all-time high. Learn more about STDs and the health problems they can cause from our AFC Urgent Care Powdersville team below!

What Actually Are STDs?

STDs, or sexually transmitted diseases, are infections that typically spread from one person to another during vaginal, anal and oral sex. They can also spread by sharing needles.

Many STDs don’t even cause symptoms, so it’s possible to have an STD without knowing it. We’ve listed some of the most common STD risk-factors below.

STD Risk Factors

• Having unprotected sex. Vaginal or anal penetration by an infected partner who isn’t wearing a latex condom significantly increases the risk of getting an STD. Improper or inconsistent use of condoms can also increase your risk.
• Having sexual contact with multiple partners. The more people you have sexual contact with, the greater your risk. This is true for concurrent partners as well as consecutive monogamous relationships.
• Having a history of STDs. Having one STD makes it much easier for another STD to take hold.
• Injecting drugs. Needle sharing spreads many serious infections, including HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C.
• Being young. Half the STDs occur in people between the ages of 15 and 24.

Should I Get Tested for STDs?

If you are sexually active, then yes, you should get tested no less than once a year. Additionally, if you are sexually active with more than one partner or share needles, the CDC states that you should get STD-tested at least once every three to six months.

When left undetected or untreated, STDs have the potential to cause devastating, life-long health problems, and we’ve listed some of them below.

Long-Term Medical Problems Caused By STDs

• Male and female sterility
• Blindness
• Damage to major organs
• Cervical cancer
• Cancer of the vagina, penis, anus or throat
• Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which can damage a woman’s fallopian tubes, leading to pelvic pain and sterility
• Pain during urination or intercourse

Our AFC Urgent Care Powdersville team offers testing for STDs, as well as treatment. Don’t hesitate to stop by today.