STD Testing Specialist
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Wilmington Community Clinic
Primary Care Practice & Family Practice located in Wilmington, CA
At Wilmington Community Clinic, our doctors offer Wilmington and Los Angeles, California area patients access to testing and treatment for sexually transmitted diseases, or STDs. Patients can get the care they need as well as education about safe sex practices.
STD Testing Q&A
What is an STD?
Sexually transmitted diseases, or STDs, are diseases caused when an infection is spread through sexual contact. These illnesses are passed from person to person during many types of sexual activity and intercourse. These infections can frequently present without any symptoms. After the infection is contracted, symptoms can develop months or even years later. Medically, infections are progress to diseases once they begin to display symptoms. This is why people will also hear the term sexually transmitted infection (STI) used commonly. However, it’s also common for people to use the term sexually transmitted diseases even when no symptoms are occurring. Several types of STDs can be effectively treated however some can result in very serious symptoms. If left untreated, some can even be fatal.
What types of STDs are there?
There are several types of sexually transmitted infections and diseases. The bad news is that they are quite common. More than 50% of all residents in the United States will contract an STD or STD at least once in their lifetimes. The good news is that many are treatable. Types of STDs include:
- Chlamydia
- Genital Warts
- Gonorrhea
- Hepatitis B
- Herpes
- HIV & AIDS
- Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
- Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)
- Pubic Lice (Crabs)
- Molluscum Contagiosum
- Scabies
- Syphilis
- Trichomoniasis
Can you protect against STDs? What types of treatments are there?
People can protect themselves and others from contracting an STI or STD. Using safe sex practices, such as always wearing a condom, allows people to dramatically reduce their risk of being affected by a sexually transmitted disease. If you have done anything which could increase your risk of an STD or STI, or if you think you could have one, get tested right away. This can help to stop the spread of the infection and ensure that you get the treatment you need. In nearly every cases, treatments will involve some type of medication, typically an antibiotic, which will be prescribed by a doctor at the clinic. However, some of these diseases mentioned are not curable. The only way to keep symptoms from occurring is to keep yourself protected.