Sexually transmitted diseases, such as chlamydia and gonorrhea, are so common that about half of sexually active people get one by the age of 25. But, despite their prevalence, STDs can still be an awkward topic to discuss with your physician. With over 15 years of experience diagnosing and treating STDs, specialist Sarfraz A. Choudhary, MD, FACP, at Infectious Diseases Tropical Medicine and Travel Clinic in Lansdowne, Virginia, makes you feel at ease and comfortable discussing your concerns. If you have questions about STDs, call or make an appointment online.
Sexually transmitted diseases, called STDs for short, are infectious diseases passed from an infected person to a healthy person through vaginal, anal, and oral sex. Some of the most common STDs include chlamydia, gonorrhea, and herpes. Many STDs can be cured if diagnosed and treated, but there’s no cure for some, such as HIV/AIDs. Fortunately, all symptoms of STDs can be treated.
Different STDs have different symptoms. For example, symptoms of herpes include sores and blisters around your genitals. If you have gonorrhea, you may experience discharge from your penis or vagina or pain when urinating. Other common STD symptoms include:
Many STDs have no symptoms. If you suspect you have an STD, even without symptoms, you should make an appointment with Dr. Choudhary right away for an exam and diagnosis.
Dr. Choudhary conducts a physical examination and performs a series of lab tests with tissue, blood, and/or urine samples. Getting tested by a specialist is the only way to know for certain if you have an STD.
Treatment for some STDs such as gonorrhea and chlamydia are as simple as a course or two of antibiotics. Other STDs require specific medications or a cocktail of medications to cure or reduce symptoms. Dr. Choudhary develops a personalized treatment plan to cure your STD or manage your symptoms so that you can live a long, active, and healthy life.
The good news is there are many ways to protect yourself from getting an STD. While abstinence is the most effective way to prevent infection, there are other ways to reduce your risks while allowing you to maintain healthy intimate relationships. These include:
If you suspect you have an STD, call or make an appointment online today.
