We offer low cost testing in support with the KnoWyo program. Uninsured patients will automatically receive a voucher at the clinic to cover associated lab fees. A small administration fee will be applied and varies based on number of tests performed. Contact the clinic for more information regarding our sexually transmitted infection testing.
Chlamydia
Chlamydia is a common sexyally transmitted infection that can infect both people assigned male at birth (AMAB) and people assigned female at birth (AFAB). It can cause serious, permanent damage to a woman’s reproductive system. This can make it difficult or impossible for her to get pregnant later on. Chlamydia can also cause a potentially fatal ectopic pregnancy (pregnancy that occurs outside the womb).
Most people who have chlamydia have no symptoms. If you do have symptoms, they may not appear until several weeks after you have sex with an infected partner. Anyone who has sex can get chlamydia through unprotected vaginal, anal, or oral sex. However, sexually active young people are at a higher risk of getting chlamydia. This is due to behaviors and biological factors common among young people. Gay, bisexual, and other AMAB individuals who have sex with AMAB individuals are also at risk since chlamydia can spread through oral and anal sex.
Symptoms of infection with chlamydia may include any of the following:
AFAB individuals with symptoms may notice
- An abnormal vaginal discharge;
- A burning sensation when urinating.
Symptoms in AMAB people can include
- A discharge from their penis;
- A burning sensation when urinating;
- Pain and swelling in one or both testicles (although this is less common).
AMAB individuals and AFAB individuals can also get infected with chlamydia in their rectum. This happens either by having receptive anal sex, or by spread from another infected site (such as the vagina). While these infections often cause no symptoms, they can cause
- Rectal pain;
- Discharge;
- Bleeding.
Sexually transmitted infection symptoms can include an unusual sore, a smelly discharge, burning when urinating, or bleeding between periods.
How do we test for chlamydia?
Most of the time, urine can be used to test for chlamydia or self-collected vaginal swabs. However, if you have had oral and/or anal sex, swabs may be used to collect samples from your throat and/or rectum.
Gonorrhea
Gonorrhea is a common sexually transmitted infection (STI) that can infect both AMAB individuals and AFAB individuals, especially between the ages of 15-24 years. It can cause infections in the genitals, rectum, and throat. Any sexually active person can get gonorrhea through unprotected vaginal, anal, or oral sex. Both AMAB individuals and AFAB individuals may not have symptoms but have an active infection.
Symptoms of gonorrhea can include any of the following:
In AMAB individuals
- A burning sensation when urinating;
- A white, yellow, or green discharge from the penis;
- Painful or swollen testicles (although this is less common).
Most AFAB people with gonorrhea do not have any symptoms. Even when a woman has symptoms, they are often mild and can be mistaken for a bladder or vaginal infection. AFAB individuals with gonorrhea are at risk of developing serious
complications from the infection, even if they don’t have any symptoms.
Symptoms in AFAB people can include:
- Painful or burning sensation when urinating;
- Increased vaginal discharge;
- Vaginal bleeding between periods.
Rectal infections may either cause no symptoms or cause symptoms in both AMAB individuals and AFAB individuals that may include:
- Discharge;
- Anal itching;
- Soreness;
- Bleeding;
- Painful bowel movements.
How do we test for gonorrhea?
Urine or self-collected vaginal swabs are typically used to test for chlamydia. However, if you have had oral and/or anal sex, swabs may be used to collect samples from your throat and/or rectum.
HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus)
Anyone that is sexually active is or who has had an STI is at risk for HIV. Some behaviors place you at higher risk for HIV such as having anal, vaginal, or oral sex without a condom; having multiple sex partners; having anonymous sex partners; having sex while under the influence of drugs or alcohol can lower inhibitions and result in greater sexual risk-taking; or by sharing infected needles to inject drug .
Who should get tested? Anyone 13-64 should be tested for HIV at least once. On site we perform rapid HIV screening through a simple finger stick. This test looks for the antibodies your body would produce in response to HIV, not the actual virus. It takes the average person about 2-3 months to produce enough antibodies to trip the test. Test results take 20 minutes. We recommend testing every three months.
Syphilis
Syphilis can develop into a serious sexually transmitted infection that is transmitted via contact with open sores. If left untreated it can cause serious health problems, including brain and nervous system damage, blood infection and even death. If early action is taken, syphilis can be treated and cured with antibiotics. Syphilis prevalence is growing in the United States, particularly among AMAB individuals who have sex with AMAB individuals. In our clinic, we offer a rapid syphilis test with results available in 10 minutes.
What are the symptoms of syphilis?
Early signs may include a small, painless, firm sore in or around the vagina, penis, mouth or anus. This is typically followed by a rash on the body that is particularly noticeable on the palms of the hands or soles of the feet. Other, less common signs and symptoms may include fever, swollen lymph glands, sore throat, patchy hair loss, headaches, weight loss, muscle aches, and fatigue.
HPV (Human Papilloma Virus )
The most common sexually transmitted viral infection is HPV. Most of the time there are no symptoms and the virus clears on its own, but several types can cause genital warts or lead to vaginal, anal, throat and cervical cancer. The types of HPV that cause warts do not cause cancer, but they can indicate a higher risk for having the types of HPV that are linked to cancer. The types of HPV that can cause cancer do not show any signs.
For AFAB individuals, regular Pap tests can detect HPV and abnormal cells before cancer can form. Currently there is no approved test to detect HPV in the throat or mouth.
How can I avoid HPV and the health problems it can cause?
You can do several things to lower your chances of getting HPV.
- Get vaccinated. The HPV vaccine is safe and effective. It can protect against diseases (including cancers) caused by HPV when given in the recommended age groups. (See “Who should get vaccinated?” below) CDC recommends 11 to 12 year olds get two doses of HPV vaccine to protect against cancers caused by HPV. For more information on the recommendations, please see: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd/hpv/public/index.html
- Use latex condoms the right way every time you have sex. This can lower your chances of getting HPV. But HPV can infect areas not covered by a condom – so condoms may not fully protect against getting HPV;
- Be in a mutually monogamous relationship – or have sex only with someone who only has sex with you.
Hepatitis
There are three types of Hepatitis. Hepatitis A, B and C can all be transmitted sexually, however hepatitis B is the type most likely to be sexually transmitted. All types of hepatitis are serious and affect the liver. Hepatitis B and C are the leading cause of liver cancer and are the most common reason for liver transplants.
- Hepatitis A can spread through anal sex through fecal contamination.
- Hepatitis A can also spread by people preparing or eating food after going to the bathroom and not washing their hands
- Hepatitis B can spread through blood and other bodily fluids like pus, semen, and vaginal secretions. Hepatitis B often does not cause any symptoms. If symptoms are present, they may include joint pain, skin eruptions, a hive-like rash, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, headache, fever, dark urine, jaundice, and liver enlargement and tenderness.
- Hepatitis C is transmitted primarily through blood, but has been detected in other bodily fluids. It is typically spread via needle sharing, but can spread through sex if blood or bloody secretions are present. Most hepatitis C infections do not cause symptoms, but will occasionally cause fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, headache, fever, dark urine, jaundice or liver enlargement and tenderness.
Hepatitis testing is available, however it must be ordered and performed within a lab through a blood draw. Results will then be sent back to the clinic to be discussed with the patient.