STD Testing
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Thomas Family Practice
Family Medicine located in Houston, TX
Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) affect over 20 million men, women, and children every year. Dr. Sally Thomas at Thomas Family Practice in Houston provides professional STD testing in a safe, supportive, and bilingual office setting to ensure the health and protection of the community. If you think you’re experiencing symptoms of an STD or are due for a screening, book an appointment online or by phone.
STD Testing Q & A
What diseases does an STD test look for?
Testing for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) can take many forms. Because the symptoms of STDs are dependent on the specific cause, Dr. Thomas performs a variety of tests to obtain a comprehensive understanding of your symptoms.
Once she’s identified your symptoms, she may perform a test for any of the following most common STDs:
- Chlamydia
- Gonorrhea
- Herpes
- Genital warts
- Syphilis
- Trichomoniasis
- Hepatitis B
In most cases, Dr. Thomas recommends you schedule an STD screening once a year, and this can conveniently occur during your annual exam. If you’ve tested positive for an STD before, she might suggest that you come in more often to monitor your condition.
If you’ve tested positive for HIV or feel as though you might have been exposed to this disease, Dr. Thomas recommends that you schedule a test every six months.
As an and English and Spanish speaker, Dr. Thomas can address your concerns and questions about STD exposure in two languages.
How do you test for an STD?
Each STD requires a different test. In some cases, it’s possible to test for multiple STDs by using a single sample, for example:
- Samples of blood and urine
- Swabs of the inside of the mouth
- Swabs from the genitals
- Swabs from discharge or sores
- Swabs of the anal area
How are sexually transmitted diseases treated?
The treatments for STDs depend on the diagnosis you receive. The compassionate and knowledgeable team at Thomas Family Practice provides effective therapies to help you manage your STD quickly, privately, and with as few complications as possible.
A viral STD, like herpes or hepatitis, requires an individualized medication regimen to combat the virus, whereas a bacterial STD like gonorrhea requires antibiotics. In other cases, Dr. Thomas might prescribe an ointment or topical solution, especially if you’re pregnant.
If you’ve received an AIDS and HIV diagnosis, Dr. Thomas recommends prevention and symptoms management options to regulate the progression and potential exacerbation of these incurable diseases.
Contact a team member at Thomas Family Practice today to schedule an STD screening or to learn more about STD prevention. This doctor’s office proudly speaks Spanish and English.
