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PRIMARY CARE SERVICES

Diagnosis & Treatment

Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)

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How are STDs Diagnosed?

Diagnosis

If you or your doctor suspect you have an STD, your provider will perform physical and pelvic exams to assess your symptoms. They will look for signs of an infection, including sores, warts, unusual discharge, or a rash.

Following this exam, your doctor may order additional tests to confirm a diagnosis, which may include:

  • Blood tests. HIV and the late stages of syphilis can be diagnosed through a blood test.
  • Fluid samples. Sores caused by genital herpes can produce fluids that, when tested, can confirm the presence of the herpes virus.
  • Urine samples. Some STDs, including gonorrhea and chlamydia, can be identified in a urine sample.

Regular screenings for STDs can help diagnose any new infection early and give you the best chance for a good prognosis. Everyone who is sexually active should undergo regular screening for STDs, but screenings are highly recommended for the following groups: those with multiple partners, men who have sex with men, pregnant women, people who are HIV positive, and people who have a new sexual partner.

How can a primary care doctor help?

Seeing a primary care doctor regularly can help reduce your risk of contracting an STD and increase the likelihood of a prompt diagnosis if you are infected. Your primary care physician can share strategies that help prevent STDs. Regular screenings can catch infections early and can give you the best chance of curing or easily managing a disease before it causes complications. If you are dealing with a more advanced STD, your primary care physician can refer you to the appropriate specialist for future care.

How are STDs Treated?

Treatment

There are different treatment and disease-management options available for every kind of STD. It’s important to see your doctor as soon as possible if you suspect you may have an STD, as treatment is often more effective when the disease is caught early. free

Some STDs, like chlamydia and gonorrhea, can be treated and cured with antibiotics. It’s important to finish the entire prescribed course of treatment and abstain from sexual activity while taking antibiotics for an STD. It’s possible to be infected with STDs like these multiple times, with each occurrence requiring treatment.

Other STDs, like the herpes simplex viruses and HIV, have no cure. These diseases can be managed through antiviral therapies that can reduce the likelihood of symptoms and lower your risk of passing on the disease. It’s important to note that while medications can reduce your risk of passing on HIV or herpes simplex virus, the virus remains in your body, and there is always some risk of transmission.

It’s important to speak with your doctor following an STD diagnosis to ensure you understand your disease, the treatment options available, and the risk of passing the infection on to others.

FAQs

FAQs

Sexually transmitted disease (STD) and sexually transmitted infection (STI) refer to the same group of sexually transmitted conditions.

Many STDs do not cause symptoms immediately, if ever. Some STDs can remain in the body for many years and cause damage to internal organs while escaping notice, which is one reason regular STD screening is so important.

Condoms are a good way to significantly reduce the risk of contracting an STD. However, condoms are not foolproof and it is still possible to contract or pass on an STD while correctly using a condom or dental dam.

The herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), which can cause cold sores around the mouth, is transmitted through saliva or fluid from cold sores around the mouth. Having a cold sore is not necessarily a sign that someone has contracted a virus through sexual intercourse or that they also have genital warts.

Many STDs, including chlamydia, syphilis, and gonorrhea, can reinfect the same person multiple times throughout their life. Regular STD screenings can help catch any reinfections early.

Get Care

Trust NewYork-Presbyterian for STD treatment

The team of sexual health providers at NewYork-Presbyterian has many years of experience in diagnosing and treating sexually transmitted diseases. Our experts can help you understand and alleviate any symptoms while walking you through the best treatment options for your individual situation.

They can provide recommendations and prevention tips in person or through a virtual urgent care appointment* from NewYork-Presbyterian or one of our medical group locations.

*Restrictions apply