Some health concerns are so vital, yet so personal, that they often get neglected. STDs, or sexually transmitted diseases, are one of those issues. If caught early on, many kinds of STDs can be successfully treated. If left untreated, some of them can become very serious and even life-threatening.
Who should be checked for STDs?
Trusting your partners to be healthy may not be the best approach. Anyone can get an STD, even if protection was used. You could be infected and not even know it. “STDs can be asymptomatic at first, meaning, they don’t show any signs or symptoms,” said Advance ER Family Medicine physician, Dr. Rajesh Rao. “If you have been sexually active—any kind of sexual contact, such as oral, anal or genital—it is a good idea to get checked out by one of our health care professionals.”
What are common STD symptoms?
STDs can manifest various symptoms, depending on the type and how much time has passed. Here is a list of the most common symptoms to watch out for:
- Painful urination
- Painful bowel movements
- Pain during intercourse
- Discharge from the penis in men
- Discharge from the vagina in women
- Bleeding between periods or a change in bleeding during periods for women
- Painful or swollen testicles
- Itching or pain inside penis
- Itching or pain around the vagina
- Strong odor from vagina
- Anal pain or itching
- Eruptions – skin colored, blisters, red bumps, rash, or wart-like clusters of sores
- Fever, headache, fatigue or joint pain
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Abdominal pain
- Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea
- Dark urine
- Yellow skin or eyes
“It is important to remember that you may not show any of these symptoms and still be infected and can be infecting others,” said Dr. Rao. “You can stop by Advance ER any time and get a quick check-up to make sure you are healthy.”
I don’t have time for this.
When you’re short on time and need answers fast, Advance ER offers easy access and fast services for a variety of health care needs. Our in-house lab services put STD tests and their results within easy reach. We’re open 24/7 and our two convenient locations are in a neighborhood close by for your convenience.
This is embarrassing.
You can trust the professionals at Advance ER to provide discreet care in a safe environment. We are committed to maintaining your confidentiality and privacy while giving you the quality health care services you need. Don’t delay, stop by one of our convenient locations today and let us take care of you.
Advance ER is available in two locations for your convenience:
Advance ER – Galleria Area
12338 Inwood Road Dallas, TX 75244
Advance ER – Park Cities
5201 W Lovers Lane Dallas, TX 75209
You can read about STD prevention and testing: how to talk to your teen here.
Meet Dr. Rajesh Rao:
Dr. Rajesh Rao is board-certified in Family Medicine and Emergency Medicine and is a senior management partner at Advance ER. He received his medical degree at the University of Missouri at Kansas City. Dr. Rao is fluent in English and Hindi.
