Written
By: Jenne
If
one morning you wake up and find that you have a strange discharge
from either your penis or vagina, pain when you have sex or go
to the bathroom, any ulcers, blisters or warts that weren't here
yesterday just what should you do?
1]
Don't panic!
Yes, I know this is easier said than done and no one wants to
think they may have a sexually transmitted disease for a variety
of reasons. There is a serious stigma still attached to STD's
but the truth is anyone who is sexually active can get them. If
you think you are safe because you've only slept with good guys
and girls then think again. STD's don;t discriminate and are extremely
politically correct,but left untreated they can be deadly and
extremely uncomfortable.
2]
Get Professional Help:
Your first call this morning should be your Doctor or the nearest
health clinic. Many STD clinics offer free, confidential STD and
HIV testing. Some clinics will see clients on a drop-in basis,
although appointments are recommended. Treatment, prescriptions
or immunizations may be given, and referrals can be made to appropriate
specialists. Information on STDs and HIV, safer sex, and risk
reduction is available. The clinic staff is happy to discuss any
questions you may have regarding sexual health.
3]
Make and Appointment And Keep It:
If you are offered an appointment at either the health center
or with you Doctor, keep it. Leaving an STD untreated is never
a good idea, not only will you likely worry yourself to death
for maybe nothing, some STD's carry serious consequences including,
infertility and in the case of HIV possibly death. This is not
a time to be coy!
4]
What To Expect At Your Appointment: What should I expect at the
clinic?
Consultation
The health care provider will call you, and take you to an
examination room. After discussing the reason for your visit,
the health care provider will ask questions about any symptoms
you may be experiencing, as well as assess your risk for STDs.
This involves personal questions about your sexual history, sexual
partner(s), and practices including condom and drug use. These
are necessary to determine exactly which tests should be done.
Be honest! this is not the time to be coy and remember you are
talking to professionals who've heard almost every story there
is out there.
Examination
and Swab Tests
After
your history is taken, the health care provider does a genital
examination. Some STDs can only be diagnosed this way. The health
care provider will examine your skin in general, and more specifically,
the area around your genitals.
For women, the examination is similar to having a Pap smear.
The
examination for men is simpler. A man lowers his pants and underwear
to mid-thigh, and the health care provider examines the genitals
and pubic region with the man standing at the foot of the examination
table. The health care provider will also check the lymph nodes
in your groin as well as feels the testicles for lumps or discomfort.
It is important that men do not urinate for 2 hours prior to an
STD exam.
The
health care provider may also ask for a urine example.
Blood
Tests
Some
infections are tested through blood tests. These include HIV,
syphilis and hepatitis.
5]
What Happens Next?
Results
Some
results may be ready before you leave the linic or your Doctor,
others will be available in one week. With the exception of HIV,
all test results are available over the telephone. HIV results
must be given in person.
Treatment
If
the examination or tests prove positive for an infection, treatment
may be started on the same day. Some treatments are offered free
of charge at a clinic, others may require an over the counter
solution but whatever treatment you are offered take it!
6]
Tell Your Partners/s:
If your sexually active then the chances are you either have
a partner or have recently and it's only fair that you should
tell them if you are diagnosed with an STD. Some STD's such as
chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphillis are reportable, which means
that you and your sexual partners are required to receive treatment.
How you choose to tell your partner is up to you but you may find
THIS article helpful.
7]
Give yourself a Pat On The Back:
If you've done all the above then you deserve a pat on the back.
While the experience may not have been a pleasant one, getting
treated was the right thing to do. By having the courage to get
treated you have done yourself and your sexual partners a great
service.
The
following are hotline numbers in which help can be provided in
directing you to local sources for diagnosis and treatment.
USE THEM!
National
STD Hotline
(800)
227 – 8922
**Trained health professionals are available to answer your questions
and provide referrals 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. All calls
are private, personal, and confidential.**
Other
Hotlines:
Herpes Hotline: 919-361-8488
National AIDS Hotline 800-342-AIDS (24hrs/7 days a week)
National AIDS Hotline (in Spanish) 800-344-SIDA (everyday, 8am
- 2 am EST)
National AIDS Hotline (for the deaf) 800-AIDS-TTY (M-Fri. 10am
- 10pm EST)
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