The month of love serves as a bright red balloon of a reminder to get your Kissimmee STI check before (and after) your big date. Here’s how our clinics can help.
February is coming to a close, and whether you’re preparing for your Valentine’s Day follow-up date or you’re checking the store shelves for half-price chocolates (seriously, those discounts are incredible!), there’s no way to miss the reminders that February is all about love. And when love is in the air, STIs can rear their ugly heads. But don’t fret! Our team at Harmony Healthcare Orlando is here to help you stay prepared and healthy this month and every other month of the year.
What STIs Do You Need To Be Tested For?
The term STI, or sexually transmitted infection, covers a wide range of infectious diseases, most of which can be cured and all of which are treatable. Did you know there are over 30 types of STIs? Some of them don’t have symptoms so it’s essential to get tested. But first, we need to know what your tests reveal. Here are the most common STIs we look for when we perform a Kissimmee STI check:
- Herpes (HSV-2)
- Syphilis
- Hepatitis
- Gonorrhea
- Chlamydia
- HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus)
Preventative Options
Once you get your clear test results, you have some options to help you stay healthy. Our team at Harmony Healthcare Orlando can discuss these medical options and lifestyle activities that can help protect your sexual health.
PrEP – Pre-exposure prophylaxis (or PrEP) is a daily medicine that can prevent HIV. PrEP can stop HIV from taking hold and spreading throughout your body. PrEP is highly effective for preventing HIV when taken daily.
PEP – PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) are antiretroviral medicines that must be started within 72 hours after a potential HIV exposure. If taken correctly, these medicines can prevent a person from becoming infected with HIV.
Why STI Testing Is Important
If you are sexually active, you don’t want to give your partner your STI.
Identifying and treating a potential STI also plays a significant role in your overall health. While some STIs don’t exhibit any symptoms, others can cause rashes, sores, painful urination, flu-like symptoms, and more.
The CDC recommends the following testing schedule based on age and sexual activity:
- Anyone between 13 – 64 should be tested for HIV at least once. (Harmony Healthcare Orlando tests adults 18 years of age and up.)
- Sexually active women should be tested for gonorrhea and chlamydia once a year.
- Pregnant women need to be tested for HIV, Hep B, Hep C, and syphilis early in their pregnancy. It is recommended that your OB/Gyn perform this testing.
- Sexually active men who engage in sex with other men should be tested for HIV, chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis at least once a year. If living with HIV, yearly tests for Hep C are recommended.
- Anyone sharing injection drug equipment should be tested for HIV at least once a year.
Treatment Options
When you get your Kissimmee STI check, you can feel confident that our team at Harmony Healthcare Orlando is here to offer treatment options regardless of your test results. These are our most common treatment plans for our patients.
Hep C Treatment – Hepatitis C is a liver infection caused by the hepatitis C virus. Chronic hepatitis C is a serious disease that can result in long-term health problems, even death. Many people might not be aware of their infection because they are not clinically ill. Fortunately, those with Hep C can live a normal life with proper treatment.
HIV Care – HIV weakens a person’s immune system by destroying important cells that fight disease and infection. No cure currently exists for HIV. But with proper medical care, HIV can be controlled.
Get Your Kissimmee STI Checks All Year Long
You don’t have to wait to take care of your sexual health. Contact us today or stop by one of our clinics. Our dedicated staff at Harmony Healthcare Orlando is here year-round to offer testing and treatment options to keep you date-ready all year long!
