Same Day STI Testing and Treatment in Denver
Same-Day STI Treatment in Denver
A partner calls that you hooked up with recently to let you know that he or she has tested positive for gonorrhea, chlamydia, or syphilis. Now what? You know you have to scramble to figure out how to get treated, with the least amount of eye rolls. Your primary care may not have appointments for days or worse they do not understand expedited partner treatment. We have amazing resources in Denver, however, most of them are booked 2 weeks in advance for STI treatment. You could use a mail-order kit, but this means waiting days for results and they do not offer treatment.
Expedited Partner Therapy
The CDC defines Expedited Partner Therapy (EPT) as the clinical practice of treating the sex partners of patients diagnosed with chlamydia or gonorrhea by providing prescriptions or medications to the patient to take to his/her partner without the health care provider first examining the partner. Dr. Jake Weinstein from Mobile Care related “ We looked at EPT as a mobile healthcare provider. Instead of asking the patient to bring antibiotics to the partner, we go to the partner, with their permission.” This allows rapid treatment of patient and partner for an STI on the same day, including;
- Syphillis
- Urine Gonorrhea/Chlamydia
- Rectal Gonorrheaa/Chlamydia
- Oral Gonorrhea/Chlamydia
TESTING SERVICES
Testing for STI’s includes urine collection, rectal swab, oral swab and blood draws, with most results in 2 days.
Chlamydia is a curable bacterial infection and, according to the CDC, it’s the most common notifiable disease in the United States. Chlamydia and gonorrhea are on the rise in the Denver area and not everyone will have symptoms. In fact 80% of men do not have nay symptoms, this is why regular testing is so important.
GONORRHEA
Gonorrhea is a curable bacterial infection commonly found in the urethra, rectum, throat, genital tract, and reproductive tract. People often have no symptoms from gonorrhea. Keep in mind that if you were exposed to one STI you were exposed to several.
SYPHILIS
Syphilis is a curable bacterial infection that is often unnoticed. Syphilis has four stages: primary, secondary, latent, and tertiary. In its early stages, syphilis is the most infectious and the least noticeable. Left untreated it can spread to your brain and cause serious damage.
Symptoms In Men
- Itching, burning penis
- Painful urination
- Penile discharge
- Bumps or blisters around the penis
- Painful ejaculation
- Tender, swollen testicles
- Sore throat
- Rectal itching
- No symptoms
Symptoms in Women
- Vaginal itching, burning, or discomfort
- Vaginal discharge
- Blisters in the genital area
- Painful sex
- Rash in the genital area
- Painful urination
- Sore throat
- Watery diarrhea
- Rectal bleeding
- No symptoms at all
Prevention
The only 100% effective way to prevent STDs is to stop having sex. We know this is unlikely. Here are a few preventative steps you and your partner(s) can take:
- Use protection—Using latex condoms and dental dams every time you have sex can help reduce your STD risk.
- Get vaccinated—Getting vaccinated before having sex can prevent certain STDs.
- Limit sexual partners—Having fewer partners or being mutually monogamous with someone who has tested negative can prevent infection.
- Communicate with partners—Before having sex, talk to your partner(s) about STD status and testing.
- Consider PrEP—Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is an FDA-approved drug that reduces the risk of contracting HIV.
- Avoid abusing alcohol or drugs—Being sober helps you make responsible decisions that can lower your risk of exposure.
- Get tested regularly—Regular testing for STDs can help you know your status and get treatment if necessary.
Risk Factors
Know your risk factors for contracting an STI, limit your risk and talk to your partner(s).
- Having unprotected sex—Unprotected sex is extremely risky for spreading STDs. Two people are directly exchanging sexual fluids is the most direct method for STD transmission. This is true for vaginal, anal, and oral sex.
- Having sexual contact with multiple partners—More partners means more chances to get an infection. This is true for simultaneous partners as well as consecutive monogamous partners.
- Having an STI—Having one STI makes getting others more likely. This is because the immune system is already weakened, inflammation and open sores make it easier for STDs to transfer, and certain activities that led to the first STD are likely to lead to more later on.
- Abusing alcohol or recreational drugs—Abusing drugs and alcohol lowers your inhibitions and can make it more likely for you to engage in risky behaviors, such as unprotected sex.
- Injecting drugs—If you inject drugs, be sure that you only use clean needles. Shared needles can lead to obtaining STDs, such as HIV and hepatitis.
- Using dirty needles—Skin punctures from unclean needles (tattoos, body piercings, or certain invasive beauty trends) can transmit STDs like HIV and hepatitis.
- Being between the ages of 15–24—Half of all STIs occur in people between the ages of 15 and 24. This is due to a combination of behavioral, biological, and cultural reasons, including the fact that the cells of a young woman’s cervix are highly susceptible to infection.13
- Having anal sex—Anal sex causes a higher chance of tearing, which raises the likelihood that there will be an exchange of blood. In addition, the anal lining is thin, making it easier for viruses to spread.
- Certain occupations—Careers in certain industries, such as healthcare and sex work, have a higher risk of exposure to blood-borne pathogens like HIV and hepatitis.
