Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) may be more common than you might think. Anyone who has ever had a sexual encounter is susceptible to an STD, whether there was penile penetration or not. Some STDs may not even show symptoms, so you can’t really tell whether someone is truly free of STDs. The only way to find out if you have an STD is to get tested at an STD clinic in Singapore. There, doctors would be able to diagnose and treat any STD that you might have. Here are three STDs that you should get regularly tested for.
HIV
The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is an STD that could show no visible symptoms. However, it could be considered one of the most deadly STDs, as it will eventually wear the immune system down if undiagnosed, causing death. One of the main symptoms of HIV is a high fever that occurs one or two weeks after the infection. It is important to get tested for HIV as antiretroviral medication can significantly prolong the lifespan of an HIV patient, especially if started early. The medication will also suppress the virus in a patient’s immune system, preventing it from being transferred to other sexual partners. Confidential testing is available at HIV clinics.
Chlamydia
A bacterial infection that can cause excruciating pain in the genitals for days, chlamydia is a very common STD partly because most chlamydia patients do not show any symptoms. However, those who do not exhibit any symptoms can still pass the STD to other sexual partners. There are also some who exhibit symptoms only several weeks after the infection. Fortunately, chlamydia can be diagnosed through a urine test and treated with a course of antibiotics. If left untreated, chlamydia can cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) which causes permanent damage to a body’s reproductive system. Antibiotics are unable to reverse any damage that the disease may have already caused.
Syphilis
Known to be dangerous due to its ability to damage the nervous system, syphilis usually starts out by developing a small sore at the area where the bacteria entered the body. That is usually at the genitalia or in the mouth. However, these are often painless and thus go unnoticed by many who carry syphilis. After which, a rash can spread throughout the body. The rash can come and go over a few weeks to a full year. Should these symptoms surface, it is recommended that a patient visits an STD clinic to seek medical advice as the final stage of syphilis causes permanent damage to the body potentially causing blindness, deafness or even death.
Conclusion
For those who are sexually active with many different partners, it is recommended that you get tested for these STDs once every six months or when symptoms appear. For those who are in committed relationships, it is recommended that you are tested once a year.
To book an appointment at an STD clinic, call Elyon Clinic at 6802 7208.
