Wichita Family Planning - Wichita Kansas abortion services, pregnancy testing, STD testing, birth control

STD Testing

Wichita Family Planning offers sexually transmitted disease (STD) testing for both women and men. Following are brief descriptions of some of the most common STDs, including their cause, symptoms and treatment. If you think you have or have been exposed to an STD, contact our clinic for a completely confidential test.

Chlamydia
Crabs
Bacterial Vaginitis (Gardnerella)
Genital Herpes
Genital Warts
Yeast Infection
Trichomonas

CHLAMYDIA

CAUSE: This is the most common STD in the United States. Chlamydia is an obligate intracellular parasite. This means that the organism lives inside the skin cells of the body. It infects the genito-urinary tract of males and females. Often, there are no symptoms. The organism may be present for long periods of time, giving rise to problems only when an individual's resistance to infection is lowered, usually at times of physical or psychological stress or a surgery. It is sexually transmitted.

SYMPTOMS: The symptoms of chlamydia infection may include pelvic pain, deep pain with intercourse, backache, a feeling of "heaviness" or cramping in the pelvis. There may be some discharge, spotting, or light bleeding between periods or throughout the month. There may be frequency of urination and other urinary tract symptoms. The presence of this infection may also be a factor in a slightly abnormal Pap smear.

TREATMENT: Examination of the vagina and of the cervical mucus under the microscope will assist the examiner in suspecting the presence of chlamydia. A pelvic examination will be done to determine how far the infection has spread. The recommended treatment for chlamydia is an antibiotic (azithromycin or erythromycin). The sexual partner will also be treated to prevent recurrence of the infection. There may be a final checkup visit to the clinic when the medication is finished to be sure the infection is gone. Be sure to take all of the medication ordered, even if you are feeling better. Avoid intercourse, or use condoms, throughout the time of treatment to avoid reinfection.

CRABS

CAUSE: "Crabs is the term commonly used to describe pubic lice. Its technical name is "Pediculosis pubis" and is different from the body louse. When viewed under a microsope, the pubic louse looks very much like a crab with 3 pairs of claws and 4 legs, but is no larger than a pinhead to the naked eye. The crab usually attaches its claws to the pubic hair and inserts its mouth into the skin where it feeds from tiny blood vessels. They are white and very difficult to see on white skin, but occasionally take on a rust color. When apart from the human host, they only survive 24 hours. Once present on the host, the females lay eggs, or "nits", which are fixed firmly to the hair shaft. Crabs are transmitted usually from sexual contact. They can also be passed by sleeping in the bed or sleeping bag of a person who is infested with them.

SYMPTOMS: The person who has crabs can tell by several ways. If their partner has them, they should check themselves carefully, looking for the crabs or nits or a rash. They may have severe itching and the crab bits cause a mild rash in the pubic area. Crabs most commonly appear in the pubic hair, but may be found in the underarm hair, eyebrows, and less frequently, the head hair.

TREATMENT: Kwell Shampoo - shampoo in 1 oz. of shampoo and lather. Leave on for 4 to 5 minutes and rinse. Comb through hair in affected area with a fine tooth comb. If necessary, repeat treatment in 24 hours, but no more than twice in one week.
OR
Shave all hair in affected area.
OR
Kwell Lotion - apply to affected area and leave on for 24 hours and rinse off, combing through hair with fine tooth comb. This treatment requires a prescription.

The pubic louse only survives for 24 hours away from the host. Clothing worn after that period of time will by okay. Sheets, towels, hats and underwear should be washed carefully before using after treatment. Sleeping bags should be aired for 24 hours.

GARDNERELLA / BACTERIAL VAGINITIS
(Hemophilus, nonspecific vaginitis)

CAUSE: Gardnerella is a common infection cause by bacteria. Normally, there are some bacteria present in the vagina; it is only when the skin becomes irritated that the bacteria cause problems. Mechanical irritation, such as frequent douching, foreign objects in the vagina (tampons, etc.), or chemical irritation from scented or deodorized feminine hygiene products (douches, tampons, pads, deodorants) usually start the process. Physical or emotional stress also plays a role by lowering the body's resistance and its ability to fight infection. The infection can also be transmitted sexually, as the bacteria may be stored in the male urethra.

SYMPTOMS: May include a thin or thick, white, gray-green, or yellow vaginal discharge. There may be an unpleasant odor, and you may have vaginal irritation (itching, burning, or "scratchy" sensation).

TREATMENT: Examination of the vagina and of the vaginal discharge under a microscope has indicated the presence of these bacteria. Treatment may consist of sulfa vaginal cream, Betadine douche, or oral antibiotics. Treatment of partners may be indicated. If this is the case, your partner will be asked to fill out and return a health history form. The purpose of the form is to assure us that he is able to take the medication safely. You should abstain from intercourse during treatment.

PREVENTION: Avoid douching (unless prescribed as treatment), and avoid use of feminine hygiene products. Use your medication as directed, even if you are getting better. After using the toilet, wipe with the toilet tissue from the front part of your body toward the back.

GENITAL HERPES

CAUSE: Genital herpes is caused by a virus. There are two different types of the virus, but both are spread by direct skin contact, including genital-to-genital contact and mouth-to-genital contact. Anyone who is sexually active can get herpes. You can get it if you have only one partner who happens to be infected. Many people do not know that they have herpes, so that they infect others without realizing they are doing so. Using a condom can prevent the spread of genital herpes and other sexually transmitted diseases.

SYMPTOMS: The only way to tell for sure that you have herpes is to visit a health-care provider. Herpes can look like many things, including simple irritation. It is important to report to the practitioner any redness or sores in the genital area. A first outbreak of genital herpes can occur in 2-21 days after sex with an infected partner. Some women have severe symptoms whereas others have mild symptoms. Herpes symptoms include:

TREATMENT: Without treatment, a first outbreak can last for about 3 weeks. Most people experience repeated outbreaks that are less severe and last for a shorter time. The interval between outbreaks varies from person to person. Once infected with the virus, it remains with a person for life. There is no cure, but it can be treated and outbreaks reduced.

CAUSE: Genital warts are small growths that appear on or inside the genitals of both men and women. They are spread from person to person by close physical contact during vaginal, anal, or oral sex. A virus causes genital warts. Warts can take weeks to appear after the virus has been contracted. The virus remains in the body even after the warts are removed. There are several "wart" viruses. Most are not associated with cancer, but a few are associated with cancer of the cervix. If genital warts are discovered on the cervix, follow-up Pap smears are very important.

SYMPTOMS: Genital warts look and feel like bumps. They are usually painless, but can cause itching and burning. In women, they occur inside and outside the vagina and on the cervix (the opening to the uterus). They can also occur on the rectum (anus) and in the throat. The warts can be seen and/or felt if they are on the outside of the body. Warts inside the vagina and on the cervix can only be detected by a health-care provider. An abnormal Pap smear may mean that you have genital warts.

TREATMENT: Treatment depends on how many warts are present and if they are inside or outside of the body. Some warts can be removed with a medicine that is applied to them. Some can be frozen or burned off. Some need to be removed by surgery. Warts can return after they have been removed because the virus remains in the body. Your partner should be examined and treated when you are diagnosed with genital warts.

PREVENTION: Examine your partner before having sex. Use latex condoms every time you have sex. Condoms can protect you from sexually transmitted diseases, including genital warts. Do not have sex with a person you think might have a sexually transmitted disease. Do not use drugs or alcohol before having sex.

CAUSE: Monilia is a common infection caused by an overgrowth of a fungus. Factors which increase susceptibility include:

SYMPTOMS: Includes itching of the vegina or of the genital area, a thick, white, cottage-cheese like discharge, and/or vaginal dryness. Swelling and redness of the lips of the vagina after intercourse may also occur.

TREATMENT: Examination of the vagina and of the vaginal discharge under a microsope will confirm the presence of yeast infection. Treatment usually consists of a vaginal cream or suppository, to be used at bedtime for the time specified by your physician. Mycelex G and Monistat are commonly used anti-fungal preparations. Use the medication as prescribed, even if the symptoms improve before the course of medication has been completed. For itching, some of the medication may be applied to the irritated area. There is also an oral medication available by prescripton if cream does not work. Ice packs may also help. Heat often feels better, but tends to worsen the inflammation afterwards. If symptoms still persist after treatment has been completed, return to the clinic.

CAUSE: Trichomonas is a sexually transmitted infection which is caused by a parasite. The organism may live in the bowel or the genito-urinary tract of women who have no symptoms. The organism may be present for long periods of time, giving rise to symptoms only when an individual's resistance to infection is lowered, usually at times of physical or psychological stress, or a surgery.

SYMPTOMS: There is often a thin, frothy, yellow-green, foul smelling vaginal discharge. There may be pain, itching, swelling and redness in the genital area. There also may be some cramping, urinary frequency, and light bleeding. Men usually have no symptoms, but may have painful urination or a clear discharge from the penis.

TREATMENT: Examination of the vagina and of the vaginal discharge under the microscope will finrom the presence of a trichomonas infection. The usutal treatment is an antibiotic called Flagyl. All secual partners should be treated to prevent recurrence of the infection. It is very important all sexual partners receive treatment and that each person take all of their medicine.