Low/No-cost STD/STI Testing

How Chlamydia Spreads:

• Sex: Vaginal, anal, or oral sex.
• Birth: From mother to baby during vaginal birth.
  
  

Chlamydia Symptoms:

• When: Usually show up 1-3 weeks after exposure.
• Common: Most people don't notice any symptoms.
• Areas Affected: Throat or rectum can get infected.
  
  

For Women:

• Unusual vaginal discharge.
• Burning when you pee.
• Lower belly/back pain.
• Nausea or fever.
• Pain during sex.
• Spotting between periods.
  
  

For Men:

• Discharge from the penis.
• Burning when you pee.
• Itching near the tip of the penis.
  
  

Testing for Chlamydia:

• How: Urine sample.
  
  

Treating Chlamydia:

• Good News: It's curable with antibiotics.
  
  

Possible Complications:

For Women:

• Pelvic inflammatory disease.
• Infection of reproductive organs.
  
  

For Men:

• Less common.
• Epididymitis: Infection of sperm tubes, can cause infertility.
• Prostatitis: Infection of the prostate gland.
  
  

Chlamydia Facts:

• In the U.S.: About 2.8 million infections each year.
• In Iowa: 9,406 cases reported in 2009.
  
  

Reporting:

• FYI: If you test positive, we have to report it to the Health Department, and they might contact you.

How Gonorrhea Spreads:

• Sex: Vaginal, anal, or oral sex.
• Birth: From mother to baby during vaginal birth.
  
  

Gonorrhea Symptoms:

• When: Symptoms might show up 2-30 days after infection.
• Common: Many don't notice any symptoms, especially women.
• Areas Affected: Mouth, throat, eyes, or anus can get infected.
  
  

For Women:

• Increased vaginal discharge.
• Burning or pain when you pee.
• Lower belly/back pain.
• Nausea or fever.
• Pain during sex.
• Spotting between periods.
  
  

For Men:

• Discharge from the penis.
• Burning when you pee.
• Painful or swollen testicles.
  
  

CDC Testing Guidelines:

• Pregnant Women at Risk: Test.
• Women Under 25: Test yearly if sexually active.
• Women with New/Multiple Partners: Test yearly.
• Women in High-Risk Areas: Test yearly.
• Men Who Have Sex with Men: Test yearly.
  
  

Testing for Gonorrhea:

• How: Urine sample.
  
  

Treating Gonorrhea:

• Good News: It's curable with antibiotics.
  
  

Possible Complications:

For Women:

• Pelvic inflammatory disease.
• Infection of reproductive organs.
• Permanent damage leading to infertility.
  
  

For Men:

• Less common.
• Epididymitis: Infection of sperm tubes, can cause infertility.
  
  

Gonorrhea Facts:

• In the U.S.: 301,174 reported infections in 2009.
• In Iowa: 1,658 cases reported in 2009.

How Herpes Spreads:

• Sex: Vaginal, anal, or oral sex.
• Birth: From mother to baby during vaginal birth.
• Timing: Higher risk of passing it to baby if infected late in pregnancy.
• Visibility: Can spread even without visible sores.
• Gender: More likely from an infected male to a female partner.
  
  

Herpes Symptoms:

• Common: Most people don't notice any symptoms.
• When: First symptoms usually show up 2 weeks after exposure.
• Areas Affected: Mouth or rectum can get infected.
• Signs: Blisters on or around genitals/rectum.
• Healing: Blisters turn into sores that take 2-4 weeks to heal.
• Frequency: Outbreaks can happen weeks or months later but get less frequent over time.
• Other Symptoms: Fever, swollen glands.
  
  

Herpes Testing:

• How: Blood sample, visual exam, or culture of active lesion.
  
  

Treating Herpes:

• No Cure: But antiviral meds can shorten/prevent outbreaks.
• Daily Therapy: Can reduce the chance of passing it to partners.
  
  

Possible Complications:

• Painful Sores: Repeated outbreaks of painful genital sores.
• Mental Health: Psychological/emotional distress.
  
  

Herpes Facts:

• Prevalence: 1 out of 6 people aged 14-49 in the U.S. has HSV-2.
• Gender Difference: More common in women (1 out of 5) than men (1 out of 9).

How HPV Spreads:

• Sex: Vaginal, anal, or oral sex.
• Birth: From mother to baby during vaginal birth.
  
  

HPV Symptoms:

• Common: Most people don't notice any symptoms.
• Types: Over 40 types of HPV.
  
  

Genital Warts:

• Small bumps or groups of bumps in the genital area.
• Can vary in size and shape.
• Can show up weeks or months after exposure.
• Note: Do not turn into cancer.
  
  

Warts in Throat:

• Known as recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP).
  
  

HPV Testing:

• How: Pap Smear, visual exam.
• Good News: 90% of cases are cleared by the body’s immune system within 2 years.
• No Cure: There's no medical cure for the virus itself.
  
  

Treating HPV-Related Issues:

• Genital Warts: Treatable with medications or by a healthcare provider.
• Cervical Cancer: Treatable if diagnosed early.
• RRP: Treatable with surgery/medications, but may take years to cure.
  
  

Possible Complications:

• Cancers: Cervical, vulvar, vaginal, penile, anal, and head and neck cancers.
  
  

Preventing HPV:

• Vaccines: Available to protect against some types of HPV (Gardasil for males; Gardasil & Cervarix for females).
  
  

HPV Facts:

• In the U.S.: Estimated 20 million people currently infected.
• Cervical Cancer: About 12,000 women get it each year in the U.S.

How Syphilis Spreads:

• Contact: Direct contact with a syphilis sore during vaginal, anal, or oral sex.
• Birth: From mother to baby during pregnancy.
  
  

Syphilis Symptoms:

• Cause: Bacteria called Treponema pallidum.
• Common: Many people don't have symptoms for years.
  
  

Primary Stage:

• Chancre: Firm, round, small, painless sore where the infection started.
• Timing: Shows up 10-90 days after exposure.
• Healing: Heals in 3-6 weeks without treatment and often goes unnoticed.
  
  

Secondary Stage:

• Skin Rash: Rough, red to reddish-brown spots on palms and soles, but can appear elsewhere.
• Timing: Appears while chancre is healing or weeks after it heals.
• Other Symptoms: Fever, swollen glands, sore throat, headaches, weight loss, muscle aches, fatigue, patchy hair loss.
• Infections: Can infect mouth, throat, or anus.
  
  

CDC Testing Guidelines:

• Pregnant Women: Test all.
• Men Who Have Sex with Men: Test yearly.
  
  

Syphilis Testing:

• How: Blood test.
  
  

Treating Syphilis:

• Good News: Curable with antibiotics in early stages.
  
  

Possible Complications:

Latent Stage:

• Symptoms: Disappear, but infection remains, can last years.
  
  

Late Stage:

• Damage: Permanent damage to internal organs.
• Timing: Can appear 10-20 years after infection and affects about 15% of untreated cases.
• Symptoms: Difficulty coordinating movement, paralysis, numbness, blindness, dementia.
  
  

Syphilis Facts:

• In the U.S.: Over 36,000 reported cases in 2006.
• In Iowa: 65 cases reported in 2009.
  
  

Reporting:

• FYI: If you test positive, we have to report it to the Health Department, and they might contact you.

How HIV Spreads:

• Sex: Vaginal, anal, or oral sex.
• Birth: From mother to baby during pregnancy, birth, or breastfeeding.
• Needles: Sharing needles, syringes, or other equipment for illegal IV drug use.
  
  

HIV/AIDS Symptoms:

• Common: Many people don't have symptoms for years.
• Early Signs: Flu-like symptoms within a few weeks of infection, lasting 1-2 weeks.
• Damage: Virus harms CD4+ T cells, crucial for the body's defense against diseases.
  
  

CDC Testing Guidelines:

• Pregnant Women: Test all.
• Injection Drug Users & Their Partners: Test yearly.
• Sex Workers & Their Partners: Test yearly.
• Partners of HIV-Positive Individuals: Test yearly.
• Multiple Partners: Test yearly if you or your partner have had multiple partners since your last test.
• Men Who Have Sex with Men: Test yearly.
  
  

HIV Testing:

• How: Blood test for HIV antibodies.
• Detection: 97% develop detectable antibodies within 3 months, but it can take up to 6 months in rare cases.
  
  

Treating HIV/AIDS:

• No Cure: But medications can slow the disease's progression.
• Challenge: Meds are costly, must be taken daily for life, and can have side effects.
  
  

Possible Complications:

• Progression: HIV eventually progresses to AIDS.
• AIDS: When CD4+ T cell count is so low, the body struggles to fight diseases and cancers.
  
  

HIV/AIDS Facts:

• In the U.S.: 35,962 AIDS diagnoses in 2007.
• In Iowa: 127 new HIV and 88 new AIDS diagnoses in 2009.
• Living with HIV/AIDS in Iowa: 1,748 residents as of 2009.

Guidelines obtained from:

https://www.cdc.gov/sti/about/index.html

References:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, Questions and Answers found at: http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/resources/qa/index.htm, accessed 6-14-11.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, Division of STD Prevention, CDC Fact Sheets found at: http://www.cdc.gov/std/healthcomm/fact_sheets.htm, accessed 6-14-11.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, Division of Viral Hepatitis, Hepatitis C FAQs for the Public, found at: http://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/C/cFAQ.htm, accessed 6-14-11.

Iowa Department of Public Health [IDPH], Iowa Surveillance of Notifiable and Other Diseases, Annual Report 2009 found at: http://www.idph.state.ia.us/IDPHChannelsService/file.ashx?file=DB68207C-5E8F-458A-B91C-A2DA93712830, accessed 6-14-11.