I Think I Have an STD: What Should I Do?

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are very common. In fact, there are an estimated 20 million new STD infections diagnosed every year in the United States.

If you suspect you have an STD, you should get tested right away. Primary Care Walk-In Medical Clinic offers comprehensive STD screenings in-office by appointment or on a walk-in basis. Our experienced medical team can test for gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis, and other infections spread through sexual contact. 

Additionally, we provide customized treatment plans to clear the infection and lower your risk for physical and reproductive health complications that some STDs cause. Our physicians also provide resources that you can use to prevent additional STD infections.

What’s involved in STD testing

Our medical team uses different methods to diagnose an STD, depending on the type of infection you have. These methods include blood testing and urinalysis.

Our providers may also take a swab of your mouth or genitals to check for signs of infection. If you have genital herpes or STD-related sores, we might also collect a sample of fluids for testing under a microscope.

Our in-office lab provides results for some STD screenings on the day of your appointment. However, we may need to send blood, urine, or fluid samples to a medical lab for further evaluation.

When your test results are ready, our providers will let you know what you should do next. They may recommend additional testing to confirm your diagnosis or get you started on treatment right away. Our team also provides guidance to prevent STD complications.

4 steps to take after an STD diagnosis

Confirmation of your diagnosis is the most important step to take if you think you have an STD. When you receive positive test results, there are also other things you should do to protect yourself and others from infections, including:

1. Avoid sexual contact

When starting treatment to clear an infection, you are likely still contagious until medications have time to work.

Avoid having sexual contact with anyone until your physician says it’s safe. Having sex with a partner increases the risk of infections spreading to others, even if you don’t currently have symptoms.

2. Ask your partner(s) to get tested

If you have an STD, you must let all of your sexual partners know about your diagnosis so they can get tested, too. When left untreated, STDs continue to spread between partners and may lead to more serious health complications.

3. Follow through with your treatment plan

It’s important that you take all medications at the proper dosage to effectively treat an STD. Missing doses or stopping your treatment too soon can lead to a recurrence of infection.

4. Learn how to protect yourself

Being diagnosed with an STD increases your awareness about safe sex in the moment, but over time, you might let your guard down. Make safer sex a priority for yourself and your partner. Be sure to wear condoms if you’re unsure of a partner’s sexual history.

Schedule regular STD screenings if you’re in a non-monogamous relationship or have become intimate with a new partner.

Our providers can also offer guidance to protect yourself from additional STDs and related complications based on your health history and lifestyle.

Call Primary Care Walk-In Medical Clinic in Scottsdale, Gilbert, or Fountain Hills, Arizona, to schedule an STD screening for you or your partner. You can also book an appointment online or visit the nearest clinic as a walk-in.