herpes

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that the US is experiencing a steep and sustained rise in STD Infections for the fourth consecutive year. STD cases of gonorrhea, syphilis and chlamydia have surged to record-breaking highs with many STD’s increasing by up to 30%. With so many new cases, STDs are considered a public health crisis by many. Undergoing regular and periodic STD testing is, therefore, an important preventative measure that helps you stay healthy and free of infections especially if you are sexually active. However, there is more to STDs than just STD testing. For many STDs, it is recommended that treatment be provided at the time of STD testing in certain high-risk exposures and this is something that may not be available at all centers, especially if they are just a lab facility. You need medical providers to assess risk and give treatment and in the case of HPV, even collecting samples is a skill that requires trained medical providers.

STD testing can therefore be quite a nerve-wracking experience. For other types of health concerns, it feels less stressful to make an appointment with your doctor or go straight to urgent care. You’re typically diagnosed seamlessly and you can quickly start a treatment plan. The process is generally simple and mostly stress-free. But with STD testing, there tends to be added elements of embarrassment, fear, dread, and worry.

We want to take away some of that anxiety for you by providing as much information as possible. In our experience, the appointment, waiting period and next steps all run smoother if you know what to expect. The first thing to know is that STD testing is a normal part of life. More than that, regular screening is the responsible choice to make for your health and the health of the people you’re intimate with. Next, understanding costs and treatment options is important. To help ease some of the anxiety around the STD testing process, we’ve answered some commonly asked questions. We hope this gives you a better idea of what to expect during your next appointment.

What Does STD Testing Cost Me

As with most doctor appointments, the cost of STD testing depends largely on whether you have health insurance and the type of insurance you have. If you have insurance, you’ll likely only need to pay the copay amount decided on by your healthcare provider. For those without insurance, STD testing can get pretty expensive.

STD testing centers are usually diagnostic lab centers who will charge anywhere from $150 to $360 for a single test. With such a wide price range, it makes sense for patients to explore their options. However, there are some risks involved in picking the less expensive STD testing options. Some companies that sell STD tests don’t have the right certification or equipment to properly screen for diseases. Others use tests that give unclear results. It is possible to get unreliable, or even incorrect, test results. Given the current state of STD infections, that is a risk you shouldn’t take.

We recommend that patients rely on a medical center they trust. Whether that is their local Statcare location or their regular doctor. If however, you still decide to go to a lab or a diagnostic center, be sure the facility you choose is registered with the State of New York and can provide quality test results and follow up care. You certainly don’t want to have an abnormal test result and be left alone to deal with it. Also, know that these centers do not keep injections and antibiotics that are recommended by CDC to be given at the time of STD testing in high-risk persons. Another big issue of concern is that these labs and diagnostic facilities usually do not have trained medical professionals to get cervical canal and anal canal specimens to screen for HPV testing which is a common asymptomatic STD in both men and women. We know that it’s important to find an STD testing center that is within your budget, but keep in mind that if the price sounds too good to be true, it’s probably because it is.

STD Prevention And STD Treatment

The goal of STD testing is to screen and identify persons with STDs. The prevention and control of STDs require that:

1. Accurately assess the risk of STDs
2. Provide vaccines where indicated to prevent vaccine-preventable STDs
3. Identify asymptomatic and symptomatic persons with STDs
4. Quickly diagnose, treat and follow up persons with STDs
5. Identify at-risk sex partners who are at risk for STDs so they can be screened and treated as well

Statcare is unique in having a comprehensive STD Prevention and STD Treatment program in place so that all these five goals can be achieved.

The unfortunate reality of STD testing is that some people will test positive. While that may feel discouraging or a little scary at first, remember, the diagnosis is only one step. The next, and more important step, in the process is finding a treatment option that works for you. The goal is to get healthy again and the best way to do that is to start treatment immediately. It helps to get STD testing done at a facility that also has the ability to give you treatment on site.

Not every STD can be fully cured, but the symptoms of each STD can be managed. Below, you’ll find a list of the most common STDs and the treatment options available for them.

HIV/AIDS PEP & PrEP Treatment

Human immunodeficiency virus, or HIV, is the virus that causes AIDS. Some symptoms of HIV include fever, headache, and swollen lymph nodes. The virus works to weaken a person’s ability to fight infections. Most places where you go for STD testing (especially if it is a lab or a diagnostic center) will not be able to prescribe you medicines to prevent HIV even if they identify it as a risk for you.

At Statcare however, when you come for STD testing, our providers can not only assess your risk for HIV but also give you PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) treatment with antiretroviral medicines (ART) if you believe you may have been exposed to HIV so that you can prevent getting infected by HIV. PEP has to be started within 72 hours after a recent possible exposure to HIV, so it is critical that you discuss this with the medical provider when you come in for STD testing. And if you believe, you will be in a high-risk situation, Statcare providers can also prescribe you PrEP (Pre-exposure prophylaxis). PrEP, is a way for people to reduce their HIV risk by taking a pill every day. The pill (brand name Truvada) contains a combination of two medicines, tenofovir, and emtricitabine that work together to prevent HIV infection. PrEP, taken regularly reduces the risk of HIV infection by up to 92%

Once someone has HIV, the goal of HIV treatment is to keep a person’s levels in check as this is a condition that does not currently have a cure. The good news is, with proper treatment, a person living with HIV can lead a relatively healthy life. Antiretroviral drugs are the standard treatment, although there is some debate about when they should be taken in the course of HIV. The antiretroviral drugs do cause some unpleasant side effects and over time the body may develop a resistance. Because of this, some doctors say that the patient should wait to take the medicine, while others recommend starting immediately so that the HIV virus can be managed. If you test positive for HIV, talk to your doctor about their treatment philosophy. You can always get an additional opinion if your doctor recommends a course you’re not comfortable with.

Chlamydia Treatment

Chlamydia is one of the most common STDs in the United States. Reports from the CDC showed that in 2017 not only was Chlamydia the most common STD but, more alarmingly, 45% of cases occurred among females between 15 and 24 years old. The increase in the spread of Chlamydia is attributed, in part, to the fact that most people don’t show symptoms. Often, men, women and their partners won’t know they have the infection until it shows up during STD testing. When symptoms do appear, they’re usually irritation or painful urination, itching, and swelling.

Chlamydia can be treated with an antibiotic prescribed by your doctor. It’s imperative that you finish the entire prescription as directed so that the infection does not become resistant to the drugs. Also, make sure your partner seeks treatment whether or not they’re showing symptoms. Follow up with another STD test 3 months after you finish your antibiotic treatment to confirm that you and your partner have been cured.

Gonorrhea Treatment

According to the CDC, in 2017 Gonorrhea cases increased by 67% over the past four years with rates nearly doubling among men. Gonorrhea is similar to Chlamydia in that it can be treated with antibiotics. The trouble is that some strains have become resistant to treatment. If you show positive for Gonorrhea during STD testing, you may need to take more than one drug to treat it. At Statcare, we have the medication on site. Be prepared to tell your partner they will need treatment, too. Failure to properly treat Gonorrhea can lead to permanent damage to both the male and female reproductive organs, so take your doctor’s orders seriously and don’t delay seeking treatment. At Statcare, medical providers are trained to identify and treat gonorrhea and stop it in its tracks even while you await results of your Gonorrhea testing.

Syphilis Treatment

Syphilis is a highly contagious disease. CDC data showed that in 2017, Syphilis cases increased by 76% with 70% of cases found among men who had sexual intercourse with other men. Syphilis is mostly spread through penetrative sex, but there are cases where it is transmitted through kissing and prolonged body contact. The infected person will develop sores, but they can go unrecognized, thus causing the spread of the disease.

Without treatment, Syphilis can cause some major health concerns. Untreated Syphilis can cause arthritis, brain damage and blindness in those who are infected. Fast diagnosis and treatment are crucial for those with Syphilis. Even without treatment, the sores tend to heal without scarring making the disease harder to recognize, so regular STD testing is necessary for those who are sexually active.

At Statcare, medical providers are trained to give post-exposure treatment for Syphilis as is recommended by the CDC even while you await test results for Syphilis.

Luckily, once diagnosed, the treatment for Syphilis is relatively easy. Your doctor will often prescribe you penicillin based on the stage of Syphilis and you’ll generally be back to normal after proper treatment. In the US, almost two generations of doctors have not seen or treated enough cases of Syphilis. As a result, many doctors make mistakes in identifying the stage of Syphilis. The treatment of Syphilis varies by the stages of the infection. As a result, Syphilis is being under-treated and this may be contributing to its spread as well. At Statcare, medical providers are trained to correctly identify and treat Syphilis even at the time of STD testing. Also, follow-up testing after treatment is the only way to make sure that you have been completely cured of the infection.

Herpes Simplex 2 Treatment

Once you are infected with Herpes (Herpes simplex Type 2 or HSV 2), the virus stays in your body forever. While you can’t fully cure the infection, there are ways to manage the symptoms of herpes so it doesn’t interfere with your daily life. Antiviral medication is typically prescribed in order to reduce the length and severity of the initial outbreak of genital herpes as well as any subsequent herpes outbreaks. After the first outbreak with HSV 2, patients should expect several other flare-ups per year, but they will lessen over time — especially with the right treatment and follow-up.

Herpes 2 treatment options may include suppressive therapy. Patients who suffer frequent, painful herpetic outbreaks are prescribed medicine to take every day in order to keep genital herpes symptoms at bay and prevent frequent outbreaks. Some patients want to avoid taking a daily pill, so this might not be the right option for your lifestyle. Talk to your doctor about your concerns and they will be able to give you a recommendation for management of Herpes simplex 2 based on your needs.

HPV Prevention and HPV Treatment

HPV, or human papillomavirus, is a very common infection that rarely shows any symptoms. In fact, sometimes HPV goes away on its own. STD testing is required to diagnose HPV as some types can lead to cervical cancer or penile cancer.

On Friday, the FDA approved the HPV Vaccine (Gardasil) for men up to 45 years of age. Now, both men and women 27-45 years of age can get the vaccine to prevent HPV.

About 60 of the 100 types of HPV cause warts on areas like hands, feet, and genitals. The warts can show up weeks or months after sexual contact with an infected partner, making regular STD testing that much more important to maintaining your health.

An HPV test for women can be done with the Pap test. Similarly, in high-risk men, HPV test is performed using an anal Pap test. While Statcare does these tests routinely, many practices and especially labs and diagnostic centers may not have the trained personnel or the ability to perform this test or skip it entirely even in high-risk persons.

As we mentioned, the body often treats HPV on its own. If you experience warts that won’t go away, you may choose to laser or freeze them off. You can do this without requiring any prescription from your doctor, but it will likely cost you. Explore your options and ask your doctor for their recommendation.

Understanding STD Testing and Treatment Options

The cost of each individual STD treatment plan will vary. When planning for the costs associated with STD treatment, consider your insurance plan. Ask your healthcare provider what options are available to you and what medicines are covered. Depending on your diagnosis, you may be required to pay for ongoing treatment. If your budget is a concern, don’t be afraid to ask your doctor for different options. They will work with you to find a treatment plan that makes you healthy and fits into your budget. At Statcare, all injectable medicines can be made available and treatment initiated without delay.

No matter how often you come in for STD testing, there will always be a certain amount of worry. But maintaining your health is so much more important than any worry you may have. The doctors at Statcare Urgent Care are here to answer any questions you have and talk you through each of your different treatment options, should you need them.

With time, you may even start to feel empowered. There is a sense of pride that comes to patients who take control of their own health and the health of their sexual partners. Over time, patients realize that there is no shame in regular STD testing. We encourage everyone to know their STD status and take the right steps to keep their body healthy.

If you want to learn more about our services, visit our STD Testing & Screening page or give us a call at (855) 9 FOR DOC. We’re happy to help you through the entire testing process.

STD testing, especially the first STD test, is overwhelming for everyone. Awkward questions are asked, intimate details are discussed and perhaps even worse, vials of blood are sometimes drawn. Most would much rather avoid it. But with STIs at a record high, testing is important and could save your life.

STD testing doesn’t have to be a terrible experience. With the right doctor and the right facility, you can get the treatment you need without some of the dread. Remember, your doctor has heard and seen it all. You can be assured that all of your questions and concerns are routine for them. Simply knowing what to expect during your first STD test will prove it to be quick, as painless as possible and hopefully informative.

If you’re feeling nervous about an upcoming STD test, there are ways to prepare. Most importantly, always do your research. Here are the basics to know about your first STD testing appointment.

Notify Your Doctor That You Need STD Testing

If you’re following the doctor’s orders, you should be making an appointment at least once a year for a routine check-up. These appointments are important preventative care that can reveal any irregularities in your body and keep you as healthy as possible. Unfortunately, these general health check-ups do not always include STD testing. Many STIs need a urine sample as well as specialized tubes for collecting and freezing blood samples.  Even if your doctor draws blood during your appointment, unless you specifically ask for STD testing, they won’t be able to diagnose STIs.  Additionally, regular medical practices don’t usually have treatments on-hand whereas urgent care centers usually have the antibiotic injections needed for treatment.

To get the most comprehensive answers about your sexual health, it’s smart to make a separate appointment specifically dedicated to STD testing. Having a partner in the room may not be that good an idea as it prevents an open discussion and the doctor may need answers to questions that you may want to be handled privately in the room. Beyond a look into your sexual health, you can use the one-on-one time to ask your doctor any questions that you might have. Patients discuss everything from pregnancy prevention, STIs on the rise in their area, symptoms and how often they should test themselves for STIs. Take the days before your first STD testing appointment to write down all the questions you have so that you don’t forget anything and you can leave your appointment feeling great about your health.

Once you arrive for STD testing you’ll tell your doctor which STIs you’d like to be tested for. If you notice symptoms of a specific STD or have been notified by a previous partner that they were diagnosed with one, you can simply ask to be tested for that one. If your appointment is more general, you can ask your doctor to advise you which STIs to be screened for. Usually, they will ask you about your number of partners, the type of sex you engage in, how often you use protection and any other information that might be relevant. It might feel uncomfortable at first, but always answer your doctor’s questions honestly. Their only goal is to keep you healthy and they need accurate information to do that.

Statcare offers comprehensive STD testing that includes screening for HIV type 1 and 2, herpes 1, herpes 2, hepatitis A, hepatitis b, hepatitis C, HPV, gonorrhea, chlamydia, and syphilis. Unlike home kits, these are high-quality tests that are sent to national certified labs so false alarms are kept to a minimum.  Our doctors make sure that you leave your STD testing with peace of mind that you took a reliable, comprehensive test administered by knowledgeable professionals.

Take The STD Test

STD testing sounds intimidating. Generally, no one enjoys tests and certainly not STD tests. But if you’re going to the right place, your STD testing should be quick, relatively easy and as painless as possible. Be warned, not all STIs can be checked the same way. Also, there are dozens of tests for the same STI; some may not be as good as others. Depending on which STIs you hope to be tested for, you may have to complete a few different exams to get specimens such as urine tests, blood tests, throat, vaginal or anal swabs.

During your STD test, your doctor might ask you for a blood sample, where they will draw blood into a vial to be sent to a lab for testing. At Statcare, the blood samples are drawn, spun in a centrifuge and refrigerated on site if needed.  Other facilities may require you to visit a second location such as a laboratory or a blood collection facility. That’s important to know if you’re looking to complete STD testing on your lunch break or under some other kind of time crunch.

A physical exam may be required, during which your doctor will take a look at your genitals and anus for any sores, rashes, discharge or other irritations. Other tests include a urine sample, a saliva sample or a discharge sample. In a discharge test, your doctor will swab from your genitals, anus or throat to test for STIs. If you’re starting to get nervous just reading about it, don’t worry. Your doctor will take care of you and talk you through each step to make sure you know exactly what’s happening and why.

The actual STD testing generally doesn’t take long. As soon as your doctor collects the sample they need, they will send it off to the lab for testing. Results typically take a day or more, and you’ll likely receive them in your patient portal with Statcare. Typically, these results will not be shared by your doctor over the phone without proper identification of the caller. All results are confidential and many states have confidentiality rules around HIV Test results so you may have to go and pick up the results n person.  Most doctors will encourage you to share the information with your partner when you’re ready and in some states, the laboratory is mandated to inform the state about certain positive test results so they can keep track of infections and their treatments. Whether the tests come back positive or negative, open communication with your sexual partners ensures that everyone stays healthy.

Treatment After STD Testing

A positive result from STD testing is not the end of the world. As we mentioned, STIs are on the rise nationwide, so a positive STD test is neither uncommon nor a reason to be ashamed. Knowing the status of your sexual health is a great first step to regaining your wellness and improving the health of your partners.

We understand that hearing a positive diagnosis can be shocking and disappointing. Take some time to process the news, but remember you can begin a treatment plan right away, especially if you are at Statcare where they keep antibiotic injections on site.  No matter which STD you are diagnosed with, there are treatment options to discuss with your doctor.

After giving you the results, your doctor will immediately present treatment options to you. In some cases, your doctor may prescribe a medication that will treat your infection and you could be cured in a matter of a couple weeks. In the event that you have a more serious STD, like Herpes or HIV, there are still ways to treat the painful or irritating symptoms. Your doctor might also suggest counseling or other resources to help you navigate the news, should you find the results difficult to cope with.

It’s important to remember that there is no shame in a positive STD test. STIs are simply infections that happen to people who engage in sexual activity. They could happen to any sexually active adult. If you notice yourself thinking negative thoughts after a positive diagnosis, talk to your doctor. Or lean on your family and friends. Better yet, ask your partner for support, if possible. Do whatever it takes to get the support you need until you feel comfortable with your diagnosis.

In the event that your STD test comes back negative for any infections, it’s still important to talk to your partner. Tell them your status and ask them about theirs. Information is key when it comes to a healthy body. Most importantly, remember that one negative STD test does not guarantee that you will always be STD free. Regular STD testing is necessary for anyone who is sexually active, particularly if you are sleeping with new partners or your partner has an STD that you don’t currently have. Plan on taking regular STD tests just to be safe.

Paying for STD Testing

We know what you’re thinking. Regular STD testing sounds great, but how much will that cost you every year? The short answer is: it depends. But remember, we’re talking about your wellbeing, so no matter what the cost, staying up-to-date with your sexual health is extremely important. Statcare takes most major insurance and you can click here to make sure your insurance will be accepted at one of our locations before you make your appointment.

The plan you’ve chosen for your insurance will determine the copay you are responsible for on the day of your STD testing. Most insurance plans cover STI screening tests. If you are paying for the STD tests yourself, it is good to remember that prices for STD tests vary significantly depending on what is being tested.  Blood tests tend to be expensive, especially if you need more than one or two a year. Statcare only sends your tests to the laboratory that your health plan is in-network with. This avoids unnecessary bills and confusion.  Always check with your insurance company what lab is in-network before you come to other practices for your test so there are no surprises.

If you determine that regular STD testing is out of your price range, there are a few options available to you. You can go to the public health clinics run by the Department of Health as in NY City.  You can do a sliding scale payment plan with the laboratory. Obviously, preventive care is the most cost-effective option. Using condoms every time you have sex may help protect you from being infected with an STD. Talking to your partners before you have sex about their health history will also ensure that you know exactly what your risk is.

How frequently you schedule an appointment for STD testing is up to you. Just don’t skip them altogether. After your first STD test, future testing gets easier. You start to feel comfortable around your doctor, you get familiar with the waiting time between testing and results so you don’t feel as stressed. And the part that matters most: you’ll be an active participant in your sexual health. If you’re thinking about scheduling your first STD testing appointment, stop thinking and just do it! You will be glad you did.