Testing for sexually transmitted infections is available in the Health Center as well as the Women's Center.  The term currently considered most correct to refer to these infections is STI's, however the most common usage continues to be STD's, or sexually transmitted diseases.  This article will address the most common STD's we see:  HPV, Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Genital Herpes, HIV, and Syphilis.

Chlamydia and Gonorrhea are 2 infections which cause similar symptoms, and are usually tested for together.  In 2003 there were 16,664 cases of Chlamydia and 6,443 cases of Gonorrhea diagnosed in Indiana.  It is common for people to be infected with Chlamydia for months without any symptoms whatsoever.  If a male has symptoms it is typically a discharge from the penis and burning with urination.  Women often have a discharge, or lower abdominal pain.  Gonorrhea almost always causes noticeable symptoms. It causes severe burning with urination and discharge in men, and lower abdominal pain and discharge in women.  Both infections are diagnosed with laboratory tests.  There are 2 options available at the Health Center.  1 requires collection using a special small q-tip.  Women must have a pelvic exam with a q-tip used to collect mucus from the cervix.  This exam is occasionally uncomfortable.  Specimens are collected from men by inserting the q-tip up inside the urethra, which is the opening where urine comes out.  This is usually somewhat painful for men, but takes just a few seconds.  The cost for this test, which is sent to the State Board of Health, is $20, and it takes anywhere from 10 days to 6 weeks to receive the results.  The other option for testing allows collection by either the same method as that described above, or can be done on a urine specimen collected by the patient in a cup.  That specimen is sent to a local lab, Pathologists Associated.  The charge is $46, and the results are usually available within 2 business days.  Both infections are treatable with antibiotics, which usually cures the infection, and completely eradicates it from the body.  If these infections are not treated, they can cause severe illness as well as damage to the reproductive organs which can lead to difficulty getting pregnant.

HPV is probably the most common STD.  HPV stands for Human Papilloma Virus.  HPV can cause 2 different types of symptoms, genital warts and changes in the cervix which can lead to cancer.  Studies suggest that as many as 90% of sexually active college age people carry HPV.  Although HPV is treatable, once you have HPV it is believed to be in your body for the rest of your life.  We look for HPV by examining the genitalia (penis or vagina) with the naked eye and with PAP smears.  Occasionally we use a colposcope, which is a type of microscope, to look for warts too small to be seen with the naked eye.

Genital Herpes infects approximately 1 in 3 sexually active people.  It is caused by a virus similar to the Chicken Pox virus.  Once someone gets herpes, they are infected for the rest of their life, and may break out with blisters from time to time.  When someone has herpes, they can pass the infection on to others when they have blisters, but they may also pass the infection on to others when they have no symptoms.  It is possible to test for herpes by culturing the blister when someone has symptoms.  This costs about $49.  It is possible to do a blood test to check for herpes during times when a person has no symptoms.  This test costs about $53.

HIV is caused by a virus.  There were 514 cases diagnosed in Indiana in 2003.   HIV is treatable, but at this time it is not curable.  The Delaware County Health Department sends a representative to the Health Center every Tuesday afternoon to do free, anonymous testing for HIV/AIDS.  They do this by appointment upstairs in Health Education.  You may make an appointment to be tested by calling 285-3775.

Syphilis is caused by a bacterium.  It is uncommon.  There were 55 cases diagnosed in Indiana in 2003.  Upon initial infection syphilis causes a painless ulcer.  Women may not notice this ulcer depending upon where it occurs.  Men usually will see it on their penis.  Syphilis can be cured with penicillin.  If it is not treated, it can cause serious problems including infection of the brain and spinal cord with resulting paralysis and confusion.  The Delaware County Health Department does free testing for syphilis on Tuesday afternoons as described above.

You can find reliable information about STD's at:  http://www.cdc.gov/nchstp/dstd/dstdp.html