Learn more about STDs
At OC MedDerm Center we treat a wide range of skin conditions and infections including:
Sexually Transmitted Diseases – STDs
- Genital warts (HPV) are the most common STDs
- Genital herpes (HSV)
- Gonorrhea
- Chlamydia
- Syphilis
- HIV screening
- Hepatitis C screening and diagnosis
- Hepatitis B screening and diagnosis
- Trichomonase infection is the most common curable STD
- Bowenoid Papulosis
- Skin cancer caused by HPV
Genital infections Transferred by Skin Contact During Sexual Activity
- Molloscum contaginosum
- MRSA (Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aurous)
- Ringworm (fungal infection)
- Common warts
- Scabies
- Pubic lice and Crabs
What does STD stand for?
STD or sexual transmitted disease as the name says means a communicable infections transmitted by sexual intercourse or just genital contact.
Can I have an STD without any symptoms?
Yes, you can contract STDs or be a carrier without knowing that or having any sign and symptoms. Furthermore you can be a carrier without any symptoms that means you carry the disease and you even transfer to your sex partner. In fact, this happens with a lot of STDs. Being a carrier for a disease means you can transfer STD to your sex partner without you having any sign or symptoms of the disease or even being aware that you are a carrier. The majority of patients with genital wart are probably already called “ subclinically” infected with HPV, even if they do not have visible warts.
Do I need regular STD screening?
Only if you have multiple sex partner or if you partner has multiple partners. It is important to identify a potential infection and get treated for it before it causes any complications for you of before you pass it to your partner.
Am I at risk for STDs?
Anyone sexually active is at risk for STDs regardless of being straight or gay, married or single and whether you engage in oral, anal or vaginal sex.
Are condoms 100% protective?
No, it is one of the best methods of STD protection and it reduces transmission of infections. But you can still contract the disease with body fluid contact such as saliva or even skin contact especially if your partner has some visible lesions on the skin.
Are there any serious complications associated with STDs?
Yes, that is why is so important to be diagnosed and treated if you are suspicious that you are infected. STDs can
- open sores can be an entery site for other infections,
- It can cause pelvic inflammatory disease and chronic lower abdominal pain
- It can cause infertility
- Several HPV types are associated with genital cancer such as cervical cancer
- It can effect your selfestem and self confidence leading to depression or sexual dysfunction
Do I have to tell my partner about my STDs?
We know this is difficult task however it is essential to inform any partner that they can be evaluated and treated. Furthermore for certain STDs both partner have to be treated simultaneously and infection must be eradicated form both partner otherwise they can transfer the disease back and forth to each other.
If I contract a STD does it mean my partner transferred to me?
No, you or your partner can contract the disease of no where. Just like you wake up one day with fever blister on your lip for the first time and you don’t know how and when you got it. Most of the time the disease is transferred with sexual intimacy but we see cases that a patient with that is monogamist and partner is negative for such a infection such as hepatitis C.
Which STDs can be tested by blood or urine?
- HIV
- Herpes
- Syphilis
- Chlamydia
- Gonorrhea
- Hepatitis
Which genital infections can have genital lesions or signs?
- Vaginitis
- Yeast infection
- Scabies
- Syphilis
- Pubic lice
- Herpes
- molluscum cotaginosum
- Genital warts
- Chlamydia
- Gonorrhea
What is Bacterial Vaginosis?
BV is the most common form of Vaginitis. Gardenella vaginalis has been isolated in up to 80% of the urethra of male sexual partners of women with BV. However, treatment of male partners is not recommended as it has not been shown to alter the rates of BV in their female partners.