Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are infections people get through sexual contact;, this includes oral, vaginal, and anal sex. You can even pass on some STDs through skin-to-skin contact. There are more than 35 organisms that cause STDs. Some of the more common include:

• Gonorrhea

• Chlamydia

• Herpes

• Syphilis

• HIV

• Human papillomavirus (HPV)

• Trichomoniasis

Not all STDs cause symptoms, which means you can have an STD and not know it. The only way to protect your sexual health is through STD testing.

The team at Pineapple Healthcare can help determine when you need STD testing. However, there are general guidelines for when health professionals perform STD testing. STD testing recommendations include:

• HIV testing at least once for all people between the ages of 13 and 65

• Annual testing for chlamydia and gonorrhea in women 25 and younger

• Testing for chlamydia and gonorrhea in women with more than one sexual partner

• Testing for syphilis, HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C during pregnancy

• Syphilis, chlamydia, gonorrhea, and HIV testing in sexually active gay and bisexual men

• Testing for people who share needles or syringes for drug use

You also need STD testing if you have symptoms or your sexual partner tested positive for an STD.

When you visit Pineapple Healthcare for STD testing, your provider talks to you about your sexual history and sexual health, as well as your medical history. They may perform a physical exam to look for signs of STDs and determine what type of testing you need. Testing may include a cheek swab, urinalysis, blood test, or sample of genital secretions. The team sends your specimen to the lab for testing and explains when you can expect results. Pineapple Healthcare offers free, rapid HIV testing.

The team at Pineapple Healthcare calls you when they have the results of your STD testing. If your tests are negative, they talk to you about the steps you can take to protect yourself from an infection, such as the use of condoms, updating vaccinations or pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for those at risk of getting HIV. If your results are positive, the team provides the appropriate treatment. For bacterial, fungal, and parasitic infections, the team provides medications to clear up the infection. For viral STDs, the team provides medications that manage the symptoms. With the exception of hepatitis C, there are no cures for viral STDs such as HIV, HPV, and herpes. Call Pineapple Healthcare or schedule your STD testing online today.