STD Diagnosis & Testing

Urgent Care located in Winston Salem, NC

STD Diagnosis & Testing services offered in Winston Salem, NC

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are widespread across the United States, causing symptoms and complications that range from irritating and embarrassing to life-changing and even life-threatening. Trent Dietsche, DO, and the staff at Doctor’s Own Urgent Care in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, are primary care specialists who can help you protect yourself against STDs. They also provide regular STD screening and urgent testing. Call Doctor’s Own Urgent Care to schedule a consultation, book an appointment online, or visit the walk-in clinic today. Telehealth is available for follow-up visits.

What is an STD?

An STD is an infection that’s spread through sexual contact. The most common STDs are:

Chlamydia
Trichomoniasis
Genital herpes
Gonorrhea
Hepatitis B
Genital warts
Human papillomavirus (HPV)
HIV/AIDS
Syphilis

Some STDs cause obvious symptoms, but others don’t. The only way to be sure you’re free of infection or to diagnose a possible problem is to undergo STD screening tests at Doctor’s Own Urgent Care.

What symptoms might require STD diagnosis and testing?

If you have a type of STD that exhibits symptoms, you may notice:

Vaginal or penile discharge
Genital itching and irritation
Sores on your genitals or around your mouth
Warts on or near your genitals
Genital swelling and reddening
Groin rash
Painful urination
Vaginal bleeding between periods
Pain during sexual intercourse

In addition to the outward signs of infection, you may experience other symptoms. These include fever, aches and pain, weight loss, excessive sweating, and jaundice (yellowing of the skin), which you may not realize are due to an STD.

What is STD screening?

STD screening checks for sexually transmitted infections regularly, even when you don’t have symptoms. It identifies any infections you’ve picked up so you can treat them before they worsen or you spread them to others.

It’s advisable to undergo STD screening at Doctor’s Own Urgent Care at least once a year if you’re sexually active and aren’t in an exclusive long-term relationship. You should undergo more frequent checks if you frequently change partners or engage in high-risk activities. Let your doctor know so they can advise you appropriately.

What does STD diagnosis and testing involve?

Blood and urine tests are standard for routine STD screening. If you have symptoms, your doctor can use viral cultures and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests to examine cells taken from skin lesions. Results for most STD tests are available the same day. However, male gonorrhea and chlamydia tests have to be sent out, so they may not be back until the next day.

Testing for chlamydia involves a urine sample or taking a cell sample from the cervix in women or the urethra in men. HPV testing involves a cervical swab and is often carried out at the same time as a woman’s routine Pap smear.

Some STDs are easily treatable and cause no long-lasting effects, but others are incurable and cause severe health problems. Several STDs are potentially life-threatening, so taking care of your sexual health could safeguard your long-term future.

To arrange STD diagnosis and testing or screening, call Doctor’s Own Urgent Care today or book an appointment online.