Seeking Treatment

You don’t have to live with discomfort, worry and fear STDs can bring. Some STDs (bacterial STDs) are curable, and all are treatable (bacterial and viral STDs).

From the Sexually Transmitted Disease Guide, here are some examples of viral and bacterial STDs:

Viral

Herpes, HPV/genital warts, and HIV are examples. They can all be treated to control symptoms or help a person live a healthier life. Hepatitis B infection can be prevented if a person gets the vaccine before he or she is exposed to the virus. Unfortunately, there currently aren't any cures for viral infections.

Bacterial

STDs caused by bacteria are curable, usually with antibiotics. Chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis are examples of bacterial infections. If a person is diagnosed with a curable STD, he or she should inform partners so that they can be tested and treated, take all medication as prescribed by the health care provider, and follow up after medication is completed to be sure that the infection is gone.

If you are at risk, we welcome you to take advantage of our confidential and free testing and treatment services. Make an appointment today by calling or emailing one of our two locations.

Fayetteville 479.521.6677
Rogers 479.631.6677
info@lovingchoices.org  

Have You Heard of Mycoplasma Genitalium?

As we conclude our look at some of most common STDs this week, we want to make sure you know about a bacterium called Mycoplasma genitalium, which actually has surpassed gonorrhea in prevalence among young people in the United States. If you haven’t heard of it, you’re not alone – even some doctors aren’t that familiar with it.

Most M. genitalium infections are asymptomatic. Long-term effects are similar to gonorrhea and chlamydia. When diagnosed, it can be treated with antibiotics. It is likely that condom use will significantly reduce your risk for this infection. For more information on this prevalent STD, click here.

Gonorrhea 101

Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted disease caused by bacteria called Neisseria gonorrhoeae. The bacteria can be passed from one person to another through vaginal, oral or anal sex, even when the person who is infected has no symptoms. According to Medical News Today, rates of infection are highest among teenagers and young adults between the ages of 15 and 29. 

This disease can become dangerous if left untreated. For information on symptoms to look for in females and males, as well as potential complications associated with Gonorrhea, get the full scoop here.

Sneaky Syphilis

According to Activebeat.com, Syphilis is a particularly sneaky sexually transmitted disease that is caused by a bacterial infection of the genital tract, known as Treponema Pallidum. It is passed from one person to the next through direct contact with a syphilis sore. 

So what’s so sneaky about it? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the appearance of a single sore marks the primary stage of Syphilis symptoms, but there may be multiple sores. The sore appears at the location where Syphilis entered the body. The sore is usually firm, round and painless. Because the sore is painless, it can easily go unnoticed. It lasts three to six weeks and heals regardless of whether or not a person is treated. However, if the infected person does not receive adequate treatment, the infection progresses to the secondary stage, which usually starts with a rash on one or more areas of the body.

If the infection continues to go untreated, Syphilis can progress and cause long-term complications and/or death. For more information on this common STD, check out this fact sheet from the CDC.

Most Common STDs: #1 Chlamydia

Over the next couple of weeks, we’re going to examine the 10 most common STDs. We’ll start with the most rampant STD — Chlamydia. Oftentimes those who have contracted Chlamydia don’t show symptoms for months or even years. More than one million cases are reported each year in the United States, and the highest proportion of cases is among women aged 15 to 24.

So what exactly is Chlamydia? According to itsyoursexlife.com, it’s a bacterial infection of the genitals, anus or throat. If left untreated, the infected individual is at increased risk for infection or other STDs, including HIV. In women, Chlamydia can cause Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID), which can lead to infertility and tubal (ectopic) pregnancy. Babies born to infected women can develop eye or lung infections.

For more information on Chlamydia, including symptoms and treatments, read the full article.