Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) have become a common health issue for thousands of people worldwide. According to WHO, more than 1 million STDs are acquired by people every day around the world, and to make matters worse, most of them are asymptomatic and can progress undetected for a long time. Some of the common STDs affecting people today are chlamydia, gonorrhea, Syphilis, and more. So, getting tested is extremely important to safeguard yourself from STDs. But where do you get tested and treated for STDs? Worry not because Equality Health Group in Norman, OK provides the best STD testing and treatment services! We provide a comprehensive STD testing plan followed up with counseling services as well. We assist you throughout your STD journey, helping you tackle it one step at a time. Contact us if you’re ready to get tested!
The Importance of STD Testing and Prevention
Sexually Transmitted Diseases are highly infectious and transmitted from one person to another during sexual contact. It can be transmitted from one person to another during intercourse and also through oral sex. Bacteria, viruses, or parasites often cause infections and can affect people regardless of gender and age.
Some common types of STDs are chlamydia, gonorrhea, Syphilis, herpes, and HIV. But here’s the thing: untreated STDs can lead to serious health complications.
For example,
- Chlamydia and gonorrhea, if left untreated, can result in pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) in women, which directly contributes to infertility.
- Similarly, worsening Syphilis can affect various organs, including the heart and brain.
- HIV, if not managed with medication, can lead to AIDS, which not only weakens our immune system but makes our body vulnerable to several illnesses.
So, getting tested is a crucial step to keep yourself healthy and safe from these infections. Contact Equality Health Group in Norman, OK, today for any STD screening services!
Benefits of STD Testing
STD testing in Norman comes with a lot of advantages, but the most important one is that it gives you peace of mind. We understand how overwhelming and stressful STD testing can be, but this is a safe space to get and keep your health on track. Other important benefits of STD are:
- Early Detection Matters– STD testing is not just a routine checkup; it’s an important step in safeguarding your health and the health of your partners. Why? Because many STDs don’t show symptoms in their early stages, or at all, they can go untreated and undetected for a long period without proper testing.
- Protecting Your Health As Well As Others– Think of it this way – getting tested is like putting on a seatbelt before a car ride. You may or may not get into an accident, but you will be protected in any scenario. Therefore, getting tested is a simple action but yields a huge result. When you know where you stand with STDs, you can take precautions to treat it before it worsens or protection to prevent infection. By doing so, you won’t just protect yourself, but you will also protect your partner.
- Preventing Long-term Complications – If you leave STDs untreated for a long time, it can result in serious long-term issues. With early detection and treatment, you can prevent these complications
Contact Equality Health Group today for STD testing in Norman, OK!
Types of STD Testing
Testing for STDs for the first time can be scary. And without a proper knowledge of what types of tests we will be needed to take, it is scarier. That’s why we have compiled a list of different types of STD testing below:
- Blood Test– Blood tests help to diagnose Syphilis, HIV, and Hepatitis C. Your healthcare professional will take a small sample of blood from your arm vein using a small needle.
- Urine Test– Urine tests help to diagnose chlamydia, trichomoniasis and gonorrhea. You need to provide a urine sample in a cup as instructed by your healthcare professional.
- Swab Test– Swab tests help to diagnose trichomonas, chlamydia, gonorrhea, and herpes. During the swab test, your healthcare professional will take a swab sample from the infected area. In women, the sample is taken from the vagina or cervix, and in men, the sample is taken from the penis or urethra.
- Rapid Test – For people who require immediate results, rapid tests are the best option for them. Rapid tests provide results in under 20 minutes and are extremely accurate. We have rapid HIV and Hepatitis C tests available in office.
However, you must understand that specific infections require specific tests. Let’s say you’re concerned about chlamydia or gonorrhea. In that case, your doctor will recommend a nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT). Likewise, for HIV and Syphilis, they usually use antibody tests. Your healthcare provider will choose the right test, such as HIV testing or Hep C testing, based on your history for faster and more accurate results.
STD Testing Procedures and Preparation in Norman, OK
Being prepared before an STD test makes you more confident during the testing process. Therefore, we have compiled a list of STD testing procedures and preparation below that we follow in Norman, OK:
- Blood Tests – Most of our blood tests do not require fasting, so make sure to drink plenty of fluids before you come in.
- Urine Tests – We typically instruct you to avoid urinating for an hour or two before the test to ensure a concentrated sample.
- Swab Tests – Swab tests usually have no special requirements before the testing.
You must note that most STD tests are hassle-free and do not require any preparation. You can always ask your healthcare professional for further information. Call us at Equality Health Group to know more!
Interpreting STD Test Results
If you are new to STD tests, you must also be new to STD test results. If you are unsure of interpreting your STD test results, let us help you.
- Positive – If your test finds any evidence of infection, your test is considered positive. It means that the STD infection is present in your body.
- Negative – A negative result is great news! It means that there is no STD infection present in your body.
- Inconclusive – Sometimes, the result might not be crystal clear. It might happen if you test too soon before the exposure. You may be required to retake the test.
For some infections like HIV, a positive result from the initial test triggers a second test, which is more specific for accurate results. However, if you test positive, don’t panic. With the right help, you can still treat your STDs and prevent them from worsening. Many STDs are treatable, and early treatment can prevent future complications – we offer HIV treatment, Hepatitis C treatment and other STD treatments. If you receive a negative result, that’s excellent news, but it’s essential to continue practicing safe sex and getting regular checkups.
Prevention Strategies: Safeguarding Sexual Well-being
When it comes to sexual well-being, there are some smart strategies you must keep in mind. Practicing safe sex is a big one! So, you must use contraceptives like condoms during sexual intercourse with your partner to lower the risk of STDs and unwanted pregnancies. Likewise, vaccinating yourself can help you prevent diseases like HPV (Human Papillomavirus) and hepatitis B. HPV vaccines can protect against several types of cancer. In contrast, hepatitis B vaccines guard against a liver infection that can progress to serious health issues.
Likewise, for people who are at a high risk of HIV infection in Norman, you can get PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis). It’s a medication that needs to be taken daily to significantly reduce the risk of getting HIV. It’s a game-changer in HIV prevention! Call Equality Health Group today to find out more about the prevention strategies.
Contact EHG For STD Testing In Norman, OK
If you are considering getting tested for STDs in Norman, OK, Equality Health Group is here for you! You can easily reach out to us by giving us a call, and our team will help you in scheduling the right time for your test. Getting tested for STDs will help you take care of your health as well as your partner’s health. So, let us assist you through your STD testing journey. Whether you test positive or negative, we will be here to provide guidance and support. Contact Equality Health Group today by giving us a call at 405-761-2762 or email us at [email protected].
Frequently Asked STD Testing Questions (FAQs)
A full STD panel test includes the tests for several sexually transmitted diseases, such as:
- HIV test
- Syphilis test
- Gonorrhea test
- Chlamydia test
- Hepatitis C test
- Trichomoniasis test
You can come across various STD testing that are free or low in cost in Norman, OK. However, most insurance will cover the cost of the lab work. For those who are uninsured, we do charge a small fee for STD testing.
If you are looking for a reliable and accurate STD testing facility, you can always put your trust in Equality Health Group. We are located in south OKC and provide different types of STD testing methods, such as:
- Blood tests
- Urine tests
- Swab tests
- Rapid tests
We ensure that your results are accurate, and we also provide counseling and treatment services depending on your test results.
STD testing is extremely important because:
- It helps in early detection of STDs
- STD testing helps to prevent future complications like infertility, bladder problems, liver cancer, cervical cancer, and more
- It helps to protect your and your partner’s health
- STD testing will open doors for effective treatment on time
- Getting STD tested will give you peace of mind and give you clarity
- STD testing will help you understand high-risk behaviors like unsafe sex and take precautions for it
STD testing is not available in all clinics. But you can get accurate STD testing at Equality Health Group in Norma, OK. You can also get STD tested in primary health care centers, community health centers, and more. At Equality Health Group, we provide a comprehensive STD testing package where we provide pre-test counseling, go through several testing procedures depending on your complications, help you interpret the result, and provide post-test counseling where our doctors will help you proceed with the right treatment plan.