It happens to the nicest people, even people we love, and trust can be carrying an STI without their knowledge. STIs can often be asymptomatic, which makes infections so common. There is nothing to be ashamed of if you are one of the many unfortunate people who contract an STI. The best thing you can do for yourself, and your sexual partner is get checked and get cured!
Seeking Help
If you think you might have an STI the first thing you need to do is stay calm. It’s possible you don’t have an STI at all since many other conditions mimic STI symptoms. Some of the most common ones include having a cold, food poisoning, diarrhoea, food allergies, gout, and insect bites! Those are the more harmless ones, there are also several more serious conditions on the list, so even if you think it’s not really an STI you should still seek medical help! There are medical professionals in most major population areas who specialise in STIs, for example, you could search for sexual health clinics in Brisbane, to find help if you happened to be living in that area. If you think there is a possibility that you have contracted an STI seeking medical attention is absolutely critical, STIs can lead to much more serious conditions and even death! Get help right away!
Some Common STI Symptoms
- Pain during sex or urinating
- Dark-colored urine
- Scabs on the genitals
- Swollen glands
- Fever
Being Treated
Now that you have taken the step of seeking help (good job!) here is some of what you can expect. Remember that any discomfort you might find in being examined is nothing compared to the dangers of being infected!
Here’s a list of the basic STI tests:
- A physical exam of your pelvis region to search for signs of infection like rashes, discharges, and warts.
- A urine test.
- A blood test.
- A tissue or fluid sample from an infected place on your body.
The combination of these tests will reveal to your healthcare practitioner whether or not you have a sexually infected disease. Once your particular malady has been identified, there are many effective treatments available, so try to relax and let your physicians do their work!
Prevention
So, you’ve met that special someone and are ready to take things to the next level- yes, it’s time to have sex, one of the most wonderful experiences in the world! If you are planning to have unprotected sex with someone whom you are entering into a long-term relationship with, it’s best for both of you to be tested first! Again, there is no shame in this, even the cleanest, most careful people can contract an STI and not even know it.
The only way to prevent STIs is to not have unprotected sex! Wearing a condom and practising safe sex will ensure you stay safe from STIs!
Hi, I’m the Founder and Developer of Paramedics World, a blog truly devoted to Paramedics. I am a Medical Lab Tech, a Web Developer and Bibliophiliac. My greatest hobby is to teach and motivate other peoples to do whatever they wanna do in life.