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Did you know that if the entire population of the United States was tested for sexually transmitted infections today, about 20% would test positive? That’s what was found in a 2018 study of the top eight STIs.
The top 8 include:
In lockstep with the CDC releasing their new STI Treatment Guidelines last year, we’re providing relevant information in our blog regarding STIs to keep you informed. In case you missed it, here’s the scoop on Chlamydia.
Let’s take this opportunity to move on to our review of the second most common bacterial STI: gonorrhea.
Gonorrhea, like chlamydia, is a bacterial infection transmitted through sexual contact. The name of the bacteria in gonorrheal infections is called Neisseria gonorrhoeae. This bacteria grows on the inner membranes of the reproductive tracts of both men and women and can also thrive in the mouth, throat, rectum, and even eyes. You can catch gonorrhea by engaging in sexual activity, including vaginal, oral, or anal sex, with someone who is infected. It can also be passed during birth from mother to child.
Gonorrhea can cause some gnarly complications. Unlike chlamydia, which tends to only cause damage to a woman’s body, gonorrhea can cause health problems for men and women alike. Some possible health effects of untreated gonorrhea are:
Those are some very concerning conditions, so how do you know if you’ve been infected?
Similar to chlamydia, most people do not have clear signs of being infected with gonorrhea, but there are a few symptoms to look out for:
Symptoms in women:
Symptoms in men:
Because most people with gonorrhea don’t have any signs or symptoms of infection, screening each year is crucial for detection, particularly for women. Men are more likely to have symptoms alerting them of infection, so testing may not be necessary. The CDC recommends regular testing for gonorrhea when it comes to:
The days of going to public health to get tested for STIs may be over. Now, you can test discreetly with your online OBGYN who can order a screening test from your local lab. Contact My Virtual Physician to order your STI testing kit today.
Gonorrhea can be detected by performing a bacterial culture on either an early morning urine sample or a genital swab. The new CDC guidelines add a recommendation for rectal and pharyngeal (throat) testing if an infection is suspected in those parts of the body and also approve of patient-collected specimens.
If you test positive, be sure to notify all sexual partners within the past 60 days so they can also be tested and treated. If they are unable to see a doctor, talk with your physician to see if they can assist in making treatment medications available for others that may be infected.
Antibiotics are used to kill the bacteria that cause gonorrhea. Sometimes your doctor may simultaneously treat you for chlamydia even if you have not been tested. With gonorrhea treatment, there is a risk of bacterial resistance; if you suspect your infection is not cured after completing your medication, call your doctor right away for a different treatment option.
Your doctor will determine whether it will be necessary to re-test after treatment. For most infections, re-testing is not required but is recommended after three months. If you had a positive throat swab, the CDC recommends testing for a negative result within 1 to 2 weeks after treatment. Both partners should refrain from sexual activity for a week after completing treatment to prevent re-infection. The CDC recommends scheduling a follow-up STI test within three months of treatment for patients who have been treated for gonorrhea.
STI testing and receiving a positive result, whether it’s gonorrhea or another infection, can be a mixed bag of emotions, but you don’t have to go it alone. Regular testing can catch the infection early on before any damage can be done to your reproductive system.
Have you received your annual STI screening for 2022? Schedule your appointment with My Virtual Physician so we can take care of your testing needs.
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Most women only learn about sexually transmitted infections during one short period in their lives: junior high health education class. Formerly and more widely known as sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), you probably haven’t reviewed the symptoms since high school, except for a quick scare a time or two when you had possible signs of an STI.
Did you know that the CDC is continually updating its recommendations on STI treatment? In 2021, the CDC released new STI Treatment Guidelines that update recommendations for diagnosing and treating STIs.
In general, from time to time, it’s a good idea to freshen up your knowledge on STI’s. So let’s begin by taking an in-depth look at chlamydia.
Chlamydia is an infection caused by a specific bacteria called C. trachomatis that is transmitted through bodily fluids during sexual contact. Chlamydia can be spread through intimate activity with an infected person during vaginal, oral, or anal sex.
If left untreated, chlamydia can cause serious complications and devastation to a woman’s body. Some of the damage that can occur with untreated chlamydia includes:
Clearly, chlamydia is a serious infection that should be treated as early as possible once detected, but how do you recognize the signs of an infection?
Although most people do not have signs when infected with chlamydia, there are some symptoms that some people experience.
Unfortunately, chlamydia can go undetected because many people, both men and women, are asymptomatic. That is why regular annual screening is critical. The demographic with the highest number of reported chlamydia cases are women under 25. The CDC’s current recommendation on who should be screened yearly includes:
Testing for chlamydia is simple and easy. My Virtual Physician can order a screening test from your local lab when you schedule an online OBGYN appointment. Typically, a urine test or genital swab is used to diagnose chlamydia; however, the new CDC guidelines also recommend rectal and pharyngeal (throat) testing if a rectal or oral chlamydial infection is suspected.
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Luckily, if you’ve tested positive for chlamydia, there is a simple cure. Antibiotics are used to kill uninvited bacteria. It is important to listen to all of your doctor’s instructions and complete the medication, even if symptoms disappear. Refraining from sexual activity for 7 days after being treated is also very important to prevent re-infection. The CDC recommends that patients who have been treated for chlamydia should schedule a follow-up STI test within three months of treatment.
Chlamydia can be a devastating diagnosis, but it doesn’t have to be. Regular testing can catch the infection early on before any damage can be done to your reproductive system. Have you had your annual chlamydia or other STI screening this year? Schedule your appointment with My Virtual Physician so we can take care of your testing needs.
