If you’re excited to start a new chapter as you head off to college, make sure you don’t begin your first semester ignorant about sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)! Without the watchful eye of your parents, and more opportunities to attend parties, you’re more likely to meet people you’re interested in “hooking up” with. However, you must be careful. More chances to drink, lack of education, and reluctance to communicate with a casual sexual partner could increase your risk of contracting an STD. In fact, if you were sexually active in high school, you may already have an STD and not even know it.
Nearly half of all college students believe you can tell if someone has an STD just by looking. The truth is over 80% of people with STDs don’t show visible signs of their disease. Symptoms may remain dormant for years, and by the time they appear, treatment may be less effective. This is why it’s risky to assume you’re STD free without getting tested first.
Ignorance about sexually transmitted diseases is one reason they continue to spread. You might be passing chlamydia, gonorrhea, or herpes around and not even know it. That’s why you should undergo STD testing before you head off to college.
For confidential STD tests in Montgomery County, Maryland, visit a Fast Track Urgent Care walk-in clinic today – no appointment necessary! If you have any questions about STD or HIV testing, please contact us online or call (800) 417-1164 today.
STD Tests You Should Get Before Going to College
At Fast Track Urgent Care, we provide the following STD tests in the Silver Spring and Kensington, Maryland area:
Bacterial STD tests:
- Chlamydia: Testing a body fluid or urine sample reveals whether chlamydia bacteria are present.
- Gonorrhea: Your doctor can detect gonorrhea by testing a sample of body fluid or urine.
- Syphilis: A blood, body fluid, or tissue test is needed for a syphilis screening.
Viral STD tests:
- Herpes: Testing for this STD requires a cell, fluid, blood, or urine sample.
- Hepatitis: A doctor can detect the hepatitis virus with a blood test.
- Genital warts/Human papillomavirus (HPV): HPV infections don’t necessarily manifest as genital warts, but a physical examination is a common diagnostic method.
- Human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS): A blood, urine, or saliva sample is needed to detect an HIV/AIDS infection.
What to Do With the Results of Your STD Screening
If you test positive for any STD, begin treatment right away. Bacterial STDs may be treated with antibiotics. Early treatment helps prevent complications and permanent damage. Viral infections cannot be cured, but medication can help manage your symptoms.
In addition to treating your STD, do the right thing and notify any sexual partners you’ve had in the past so they can also be tested and treated if necessary. In addition, bring up your diagnosis with any potential new sexual partners so you can take the proper preventative action, such as wearing a condom – something only 52% of sexually active students age 15 to 24 remember to do. Only you have the power to stop the spread of this disease!
Visit Fast Track Urgent Care for STD Testing in Montgomery County, MD
If you live in Silver Spring, Kensington, or the surrounding areas, stop by Fast Track Urgent Care before you leave for college. We offer the STD screenings needed to reveal the truth about your sexual health. Whether you test positive or negative, take steps to stop the spread and contraction of STDs while you’re away at college. We can answer all your questions and offer the information you need to stay healthy and safe while working toward a college degree.
Stop by today for STD testing services – no appointment necessary! If you have any questions about our services before you visit or need to locate one of our walk-in STD clinics, please contact us at (800) 417-1164.
