e7 Health offers STD Testing and Treatment

Chlamydia is the most common bacterial STD in the United States. Most people that have chlamydia have no symptoms, but if symptoms occur, it is usually 1-3 weeks after exposure.

Signs and symptoms of chlamydia in women may be abnormal vaginal discharge and/or burning with urination. If left untreated, it can spread into the woman's uterus or fallopian tubes and cause pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility, and other complications. In men, signs and symptoms may include discharge, burning, or itching around the opening of the penis or burning with urination.

Chlamydia is diagnosed with a simple urine test and can be treated and cured with antibiotics.e7 Health also offers oropharyngeal swab testing to detect chlamydia in the throat.

Gonorrhea is a very common bacterial STD. Any sexually active person can become infected with gonorrhea. Some men and women with gonorrhea have no symptoms. If symptoms do occur in men, they may include burning with urination, discharge from the opening of the penis, and sometimes painful or swollen testicles. Women may have burning or painful urination, increased vaginal discharge, or bleeding between periods.

If gonorrhea is left untreated, it can cause serious and permanent health problems in both women and men. Gonorrhea is diagnosed with a simple urine test and can be treated and cured with antibiotics. e7 Health also offers oropharyngeal swab testing to detect gonorrhea in the throat.

Genital herpes is a very common STD caused by the herpes simplex virus type 1 or type 2. Some men and women with herpes have no symptoms. Men and women with symptoms experience blisters around the genitals, rectum or mouth. The blisters become painful sores and heal over 2-4 weeks. Herpes virus can be spread even when the skin does not have sores.

Herpes can be diagnosed with a blood test. Unfortunately, herpes cannot be cured, but antiviral medication can be useful in preventing or shortening outbreaks and can also make the infected person less likely to transmit the disease to partners.

Syphilis is an STD caused by a bacterium. Syphilis is transmitted from sexual contact with syphilis sores. Syphilis has 4 stages and it is important to be tested and treated early to avoid long-term complications such as paralysis, blindness, dementia, damage of multiple organs, and death. If a woman with syphilis is pregnant, the baby can be born with syphilis and many health problems or born dead.

Syphilis can be diagnosed with a blood test and can be cured with appropriate antibiotics.

Hepatitis B is an infection caused by a virus that can be spread through blood and bodily fluids (i.e. unprotected sex, sharing needles/syringes, or being born to an infected mother). Hepatitis B infection affects the liver and may range from a self-limiting infection, to acute liver failure. Less commonly, chronic hepatitis B infection occurs which increases the risk of cirrhosis of the liver and/or liver cancer.

Hepatitis B is diagnosed with a blood test and treatment is supportive and may differ with acute or chronic infection. Hepatitis B can be prevented with a safe and effective vaccine.

Hepatitis C is an infection caused by a virus that can be transmitted by blood (i.e. sharing of needles, blood transfusion or organ transplant before 1992), and less commonly through sexual transmission. Hepatitis C infection can be asymptomatic or have a mild clinical illness. Chronic hepatitis C infection develops in the majority of infections and may lead to cirrhosis of the liver and/or liver cancer.

Hepatitis C is diagnosed with a blood test and outcomes are improved when diagnosis and treatment is started earlier in the course of illness. Unfortunately, there is currently no vaccine for hepatitis C.

Trichomonas is a very common sexually transmitted disease. Most women and men do not have symptoms and may not know they are infected. If symptoms do occur, they can be somewhat similar to chlamydia and gonorrhea. Trichomonas is the most common curable STD and is more common in women than in men. Due to the increasing prevalence, it is often ideal to test for chlamydia, gonorrhea, and trichomonas. Trichomonas can cause genital inflammation that makes it easier to get infected with the HIV virus. For both men and women, a simple urine test can be performed to diagnose trichomonas. If you have Trichomonas, it can be cured with a prescription antibiotic.

Hepatitis A is common form of liver injury and causes inflammation of the liver. Hepatitis A occurs worldwide. Infections in the US have decreased due to routine vaccination that began in the early 2000s. However, young adults and older adults who have not had the vaccine may be at risk. Hepatitis A is highly contagious and can be transmitted by having sexual contact with a person infected with hepatitis A, especially men who have sex with men.