STD Testing Dallas, TX

Anonymous STD Testing Dallas

Dallas is part of a politically red state and many are conservative.  It goes against their grain to be on any government list.  The law says lab testing companies must report all positive HIV and STD tests; however, Texas law does not require a name to be given.  This is how anonymous HIV & STD testing in Dallas is possible.

There are additional laws in place when it comes to anonymous HIV tests.  In addition to requiring each HIV positive incident to be reported, they also ask for mandatory face-to-face presentation of HIV test results.  Not everyone realizes this and they freak out when they are told they must come in to get their results. 

Have you ever wondered “what is the difference between confidential STD testing and anonymous STD testing?”  First off, you medical records are required to be confidential.  If a company advertises confidential STD testing they are stating the obvious.  Anonymous HIV & STD testing is very different.  I have never heard of a Doctor’s office performing anonymous testing considering they work so close with the insurance companies who need your personal information.  In fact, it is not possible to get an anonymous STD test using your insurance so expect to pay cash.

How much should you pay for an STD test?  I suggest you pick the closest Any Lab Test Now® to you.  They are located throughout the DFW metroplex.  I have placed links to their pricing and locations in the top right corner of this blog.  Depending on which STD you want to test for it will cost you between $49 and $89.  A full comprehensive STD panel runs $229.  The results will be back in 1-2 business days.

I was told on my last round of yearly tests that the name “Mickey Mouse” or simply “Anonymous” has been often given when ordering tests.  They claim they can get you in-and-out within 15 minutes from the moment you walk in the door and I have yet to prove them otherwise.  They are a niche lab that specializes in customer service, lower prices, and speed of results.  I am told give lower prices by not dealing with insurance companies.  Their thyroid test is only $79 verses $279 at Quest.  There are no hidden fees or charges such as an “office visit” fee. 

There can be many legitimate reasons you would want anonymous HIV & STD testing in Dallas.  Getting tested for sexually transmitted diseases may seem very embarrassing but it doesn’t have to.  Truly anonymous HIV testing is available and if you are concerned you can get tested today and find out tomorrow.

Not testing for STDs during pregnancy can be extremely dangerous to both the mother and the unborn child, and sometimes even fatal to the child. STD’s can passed on by sexual contact involving the mouth, anus or vagina. Testing for STD’s is a standard process during the first office visit with an OB/GYN after finding out a woman is expecting. It is crucial that if an STD is diagnosed that it is treated along with any sexual partners. If your partner is not treated, reinfection will occur. Make sure and use protection for a week after both partners have been treated to give the infection time to clear up.

STD testing during pregnancy

If a woman is diagnosed with Chlamydia and/or Gonorrhea during pregnancy, she might not experience any symptoms at all. Chlamydia is the most commonly diagnosed STD. People infected with Chlamydia often are also infected with Gonorrhea. If there are slight symptoms seen with Chlamydia, often they appear as a slight discharge or lower abdominal pain. If Chlamydia is left untreated, it can cause preterm labor or postpartum endometriosis (inflammation of the uterus). If Chlamydia is passed on the child during delivery it may cause pneumonia or conjunctivitis, which can lead to blindness. The symptoms of Gonorrhea might be discharge, itching or burning with urination. If Gonorrhea is passed on the baby, it too can cause eye problems that can lead to blindness. Gonorrhea and Chlamydia both carry an increased risk of miscarriage. Both STD’s can be treated with antibiotics.

Genital Herpes can be very dangerous. Herpes can be passed on to the baby during a vaginal delivery and can cause damage to the eyes and the central nervous system. In some cases it can even cause death to the child. If the woman contracts Herpes for the first time during pregnancy near the time of delivery, it may cause premature labor or restict intrauterine growth. In this case there is a 1 in 2 chance that it will be passed on to the baby. This risk can be reduced by cesarean delivery.

Condyloma, better known as Genital Warts, is caused by HPV, and there might not be any symptoms for months or even years. Babies that contract the virus can develop warts on the larynx (voice box), usually by the time they reach five years old. Performing a c-section is only done if the warts are so large that they interfere with a vaginal delivery. Treatment for the mother will be postponed until after the child is born.

Syphilis can cause miscarriage or stillbirth and if it is transmitted to the fetus, it can cause skin lesions or problems with the spleen, liver, bones or central nervous system. There are antibiotics that can be given during pregnancy to lower the risk of transmitting the infection to the fetus and stop the progression in the mother.

Hepatits B has many different symptoms that can occur, some of which are fatigue, nausea, vomiting, dark urine, grey stools, or jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes). The body will either fight the virus and build up anitbodies or if the body can not build up antibodies to it, the person becomes a chronic carrier. A chronic carrier can infect their child through the placenta. Women with Hepatitis B are more likely to have a premature delivery. An injection will be given to the newborn baby to immunize them from becoming infected.

HIV is increasing in women worldwide. Women account for 50% of the 40 million adults living with HIV/AIDS. A woman that has been exposed to HIV may not have symptoms for years and can still infect others, including her child. HIV can be passed on to an unborn child while still in the uterus, during delivery and after delivery through breastfeeding. Over 90% of children with AIDS contracted HIV from their mother. A c-section will decrease the risk of infecting the child. A child born with HIV, might not have symptoms for years. HIV may develop into AIDS, and the only way to know if you have HIV is an HIV test. If a woman is HIV positive and does not take any medications during pregnancy to prevent transmission to the baby, there is a 25% chance of passing the virus on the unborn child. If medications are taken, the risk is then lowered to less than 2%. All pregnant women need to be tested. If there has been an exposure, start on anti-viral medication as soon as possible.

If you are given medication to treat any STD, make sure you take the full prescription, even if symptoms have gone away. The only sure form of protection is abstinence. If there is any sexual activity, practice safe sex. Always use a condom with spermicide. Make sure if you use a lubricant that it is water based. It is better to limit the number of sexual partners, the more partner, the higher the risk of contracting an STD. Everyone should practice monogamy, meaning having sex with only one person. That person must also have sex with only you to reduce the risk. If someone is sexually active, they should get STD testing regularly.

Herpes is a sexually transmitted disease that comes in two versions.  Herpes simplex I (HSV I) is often called a cold sore and occurs on the mouth.  A very high percentage of people living on the earth have herpes simplex I.  Most commonly, herpes simplex I is spread by kissing.  A few weeks after infection cold sores appear.  However, not everyone gets symptoms.  Personally, I took a comprehensive HIV & STD testing in Plano from Any Lab Test Now and found out that I carry the herpes simplex I virus.  However, I have never had a cold sore.  Although a cold sore does not have to be present for someone to be contagious, the virus does have to be active in their DNA.  The problem is that no one knows when the virus is active if they do not have symptoms. 

2/3rd Dallas has Herpes

 Herpes simplex II (HSV II) is also known as genital herpes.  There are also a very high percentage of people living in Dallas with herpes.  I believe the figure is between 66%-75% of sexually active individuals.  Herpes II can cause symptoms on the mouth as well as the genitals.  Small blisters appear approximately two weeks after infection.  Once again, not all people infected with HSV II have symptoms.  An STD test is the only way to truly know.  It was believed up until a few years ago that herpes was only contagious when signs and symptoms are present.  Research has proven this theory wrong.  Similar to HSV I, it is also possible to be a carrier and to never have a herpes outbreak. 

The only way to truly know if you have herpes is to take a STD Test.  Dallas has many options where you can get tested.  I suggest Any Lab Test North Dallas if you live in that area.  The herpes I & II test costs only $49 ($39 with their website coupon) and you can be in-and-out in 15 minutes.  The best part is that they do not ask for identification.  I even used the name “Mickey Mouse”.  You get the results in 24-48hrs. 

Although there is currently no cure for herpes you do have many options.  There are medications that will eliminate the symptoms and prevent outbreak.  I believe there is soon to be released a once a day pill that will prevent outbreak as well as make the virus inactive.  Making the virus inactive will prevent others from becoming infected.

STD stands for sexually transmitted disease, which means that it is a disease or infection that can be transferred from one person to another through sexual contact. With many STD’s, there are no symptoms, which means a person can be exposed to an STD, be carrying the disease and transfer the disease on to someone else without ever having a sign or symptom of the disease. Of the people that have an STD, 80% will experience no noticeable symptoms. If an STD is left untreated it can have serious consequences. The consequences are usually worse in women than in men, including pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility, cancer and sometimes even death. About 1/3 of infertility in women is caused by STD’s. The best way to prevent any sexually transmitted disease is to abstain from have any sexual contact. If someone is sexually active, the best protection available is condoms. Male condoms reduce the risk of sexually transmitted diseases and sexually transmitted infections by 98%. The female condoms only reduce the risk by 70%, they are not as effective and sometimes very uncomfortable for the female. The condom needs to be worn properly in order to maintain their effectiveness. For maximum effectiveness use a lubricant with spermicide along with the condom. Every year, 9 million people under 25 contract a new STD. There are more than 20 diseases that are transmitted through sexual contact. The most common sexually transmitted diseases in the United States are Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Syphilis, Herpes, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and HIV/AIDS. All of these are not treatable.

STD Facts

Chlamydia is caused by a bacteria called Chlamydia trachomatis. Chlamydia is the most frequently reported STD. The symptoms are usually mild or none at all. It can take up to 3 weeks to notice any symptoms at all. Women might experience a vaginal discharge or burning with urination. If chlamydia is left untreated and spreads, a woman will experience abdominal/low back pain, nausea, fever, pain during intercourse or bleeding between periods. Men might experience discharge from the penis or burning with urination. If infected with chlamydia through anal sex, a person might experience rectal pain, discharge or bleeding. Chlamydia has also been found in the throat of a person performing oral sex. In women that have been infected with Chlamydia and it was left untreated, 40% ended up with pelvic inflammatory disease. In women, it can also cause permanent damage to the reproductive system, leading to ectopic pregnancy and women with Chlamydia are five times more likely to become infected with HIV if exposed. Chlamydia and Gonorrhea often infect a person at the same time. Chlamydia is a treatable std. During 2008, there were 1,486 new cases of Chlamydia in Collin County and 13,495 new cases in Dallas County.

Gonorrhea is also known as The Clap. Gonorrhea is caused by a bacteria called Neisseria Gonorrhoeae. It is more common for men to not experience any signs or symptoms with
Gonorrhea. Sometimes it can take up to 30 days for symptoms to appear. Men might experience discharge from the penis, painful urination and even painful or swelling of the testicles. In women symptoms are often mild and mistaken for a urinary tract infection. Symptoms of rectal infection can be anal discharge or itching, anal bleeding and painful bowel movements. In the throat, it can cause a sore throat. If gonorrhea is left untreated in a woman it can cause infertility, and in men it can lead to epididymitis. Gonorrhea can spread to the blood or joints and can be life threatening. Gonorrhea is a treatable std. During 2008, there were 364 new cases of Gonorrhea in Collin County and 5,070 new cases in Dallas County.

Syphilis is caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum. Many people that contract Syphilis do not have symptoms for years. There are three different stages of Syphilis. The first stage, or primary stage, a person might experience a single sore or multiple sores at the spot where Syphilis entered the body. If left untreated, the sore will heal but the infection will progress. The second stage, or the secondary stage, is the development of a rash, fever, swollen lymph glands, sore throat, patchy hair loss, muscle ache and fatigue. Again these symptoms may resolve without treatment but the infection still progresses. The third stage, or the latent stage, can damage the internal organs; the brain, nerves, eyes, heart, liver, bones and joints. The damage may be serious enough to cause death. Syphilis is a treatable std.

Herpes is a sexually transmitted disease caused by Herpes Simplex Virus type I or type II. Symptoms typically appear as blisters on or around the vaginal or rectal area. The first outbreak usually occurs within 2 weeks of exposure and can take 2-4 weeks to resolve. There is no treatment for Herpes, however there are anti-viral medications available to decrease the number of outbreaks and lessen the severity of the outbreaks. Of Americans 12 and older, 1 out of every 5 has Herpes.

Hepatitis is inflammation of the liver. Hepatitis can be acute or chronic and can result in long term health problems. An acute infection is a short term illness that usually occurs within six months of exposure. Typically an acute infection leads to chronic infection. There is an immunization available for Hepatitis B, but not for Hepatitis C.

The one that usually scares people the most is HIV/AIDS. Many people may not realize they are infected as this virus doesn’t show any symptoms the first few years. HIV testing is the only way to know for sure if you have been infected. There are many ways of treating this virus that can prolong an infected person’s life. For many this virus will progress to AIDS and eventually death. As of December 2008, there were 35,014 people living with HIV or AIDS in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex.

In the state of Texas, Dallas is ranked # 2 for the cities with the highest rates of STD’s. This is a serious epidemic worldwide, but with the numbers as high as they are, everyone should want to be safer. Seventy million Americans currently have a sexually transmitted disease. Sexually transmitted diseases or infections can be passed on to another person by oral sex, vaginal sex, rectal sex and can also be passed on to a baby during labor from the mother. If anyone is involved in sexual relations, this person should be tested regularly. Since so many STD’s don’t have any symptoms, a person can be infected with a disease and pass it on to another person and not know that they are infected. Many of these STD’s are treatable, but you have to get tested in order to receive treatment. People should be aware of their partners sexual behaviors. Abstaining from sexual activity is the best form of prevention.

Fox News reported earlier this month that Washington D.C. had implemented free STD testing to 3,000 high school students.  A whopping 13% came back positive for either an STD, mostly gonorrhea and/or chlamydia.  Should Dallas implement a similar free STD testing program?

STD Testing Center Dallas

Being a conservative my knee-jerk reaction is to say “no” at the first mention of government spending, and calling hand-outs from the government free STD testing is a slap in the face to the hard-working middle class that will surely pay for this program.

Sadly, I must create a hypothetical to get my mind over this hurdle.  Let’s say that this program will be funded by a new drug program where we take all the marijuana confiscated in a school district and ship it to California to be sold as medicinal marijuana. 

Moving along, will this program solve or create problems.  There is an ongoing argument over teaching teens abstinence or safe sex.  What problems could this possibly create?

• Would providing free STD testing in Dallas encourage or deter promiscuity?
• Would another “free” government program add yet another brick to the entitlement mentality?
• Would the program have to cover high school dropouts and illegals?

All in all, I would have to admit that I believe that this program would be a good thing.  Anyone that has had an STD test knows the anxiety that follows.  How many times you promise yourself will never have premarital sex again and how sex isn’t worth the stress. 

Teens are among the highest risk group considering they are walking hormones and are notorious for making poor decisions.  It would be my hypothesis that if you can reduce the STD rate among teens than you will also see a reduction in the STD rate among adults. 

STD testing in Dallas is a booming industry at the moment and shows no signs of slowing down.  Heck, I created an entire blog devoted to this specific topic.   You would be amazed how ignorant people are when it comes to being educated and aware of the problems and dangers of sexually transmitted diseases.  Men are the worst.  If they have some lunatic uncle that believes it is only women that can have an STD without showing symptoms than they believe it. 

I also get emails from time to time from hypochondriacs.  These poor souls.  I am not a doctor so the only advice I can give is references from credible sources and an offer to get them tested.  A negative result is met with short-lived relief and soon a new medical fear emerges.

The Virgin Cure Myth

Have you ever heard of the “Virgin Cure” for HIV/AIDS?  Everyday in Africa approximately 60 young children are raped because some nut job believes it will cure HIV and/or AIDS.

Currently, there are estimated to be from 4.2 to 4.7 million individuals affected by the pandemic in South Africa and these figures are projected to rise to well in excess of 6 million by the year 2010.  Approximately 1700 new HIV/Aids infections occur daily in Ninety-five percent of new infections occur in developing countries.  HIV kills 3 million people worldwide, 580,000 of them children younger than 15 yrs old.

According to the South African Police Service, 21,000 child rape cases were reported last year.  Although this figure is staggering it is believed that only one in 35 rape cases are actually reported. 

The Virgin Cure myth is not constrained to Africa.  Most developing countries have cultural sects which embrace this perverse belief.  India and Thailand for example, have entrenched the so-called Virgin Cure within its belief systems.  The origin of the Virgin Cure goes has been traced back to 16^th century Europe.  Although this pre-dates HIV infections, sex with a virgin was believed to be a cure for syphilis, gonorrhea, and other sexually transmitted diseases.  Syphilis is fatal in later stages; however, stage I syphilis may have symptoms that disappear on their own.  This natural disappearance may have been falsely attributed to some sicko molesting a child.  The Virgin Cure myth spread massively across the globe post-WWII when the troops headed home. 

This may lead one to the conclusion that South Africa must have an unusually high number of pedophiles in its population given the incidence of sexual violence against children. This may not be the case considering most pedophilic activities are generally premeditated.  It is also important to note that the vast majority of child sexual abuse cases occur within the family, and this most often does not fit reported cases in Africa. 

It is important to distinguish between child and infant rape.  Child rape of children from five years and over occurs all over the world but the rape of infant girls occurs much more often in Africa. Many attribute the belief in the Virgin Cure to South Africa’s political and socio-economic. The motives as to why people rape infants also do not conform to the traditional motives as to why people commit rape. Infant rape does not have the power and sexual motive.

Herpes of the Mouth

 There are several ways to test for the herpes virus. Among the tests available are a herpes viral culture, a herpes virus antigen detection test, a polymerase chain reaction test, and antibody testing. Some tests are less convenient because they require an active sore to be present. This raises a problem since some people are asymptomatic meaning they have no visible sores or symptoms.

 The herpes viral culture can only be performed when an active sore is present. Cells from the sore are collected with a swab and tested. This test is known for producing false negatives, meaning that it fails to find the virus even when it is present.

 The next type of testing, herpes virus antigen detection testing, is often done in combination with the viral culture. Again, this test requires an active sore to be present. Cells from the sore are scraped off and smeared onto a slide. This test looks for antigens on the surface of the cells.

 The polymerase chain reaction test finds the DNA of the virus. This can be done on cells or fluid from a sore although this is not common. It can also use blood or spinal fluid to determine if herpes has caused an infection on or around the brain. This type of test can distinguish between HSV-1 and HSV-2 (genital).

 The antibody test is a blood test to detect antibodies made by the immune system to fight the herpes virus. This test cannot tell the difference between a current active herpes infection and an infection that occurred in the past. If one has recently been infected, this may not produce a positive since the antibodies take time to develop after the first infection. This test is convenient since an active sore does not have to be present.

 Currently in the Dallas area, Any Lab Test Now is a lab testing facility that performs the antibody test for herpes. Early detection is the best way to prevent spreading this virus.

One out of five people living in Dallas are infected with herpes.  It comes to no surprise that women would be concerned about herpes during pregnancy. Many outbreaks and symptoms of herpes are so mild, they may go unnoticed. This concerns many women that have ever had unprotected sex in the past. They may have contracted genital herpes without even knowing. On the other hand, some women may already know that they are infected. The concern of the effects this could have on an unborn child could lead to stress which in turn could cause problems during pregnancy.

 The risk of a baby contracting herpes during birth is extremely small. Transmission risks are lowest for women who acquired herpes before pregnancy and who have no signs or symptoms of an outbreak at delivery. The chances of transmission are highest when a woman acquires genital herpes late in pregnancy since her body may not have had time to pass the antibodies to the baby through the placenta. This fact, however, doesn’t eliminate the future parents’ fears.

Pregnant with Herpes?

The results can be tragic when an infant does contract neonatal herpes. Only around half of the infants treated with antiviral medication avoid permanent damage. Others, however, may suffer serious neurological damage, mental retardation, or even death. Many people undergo STD testing before trying to become pregnant. Still others receive the testing once they are already pregnant at their ob/gyn appointment. The problem is that this testing usually only consists of chlamydia and gonorrhea tests. Even if a patient requests herpes testing, they are often told that the testing cannot be done unless there is a current outbreak with visible sores. In the Dallas area, over one million people are infected with herpes. Luckily, there is a solution for being tested even if one has never had an outbreak. Select testing centers located in the Dallas area such as Any Lab Test Now in Plano offer confidential blood tests which are able to detect the herpes virus.

Early detection during pregnancy can help healthcare providers manage the infection and minimize the risk. There is the possibility of C-section delivery to avoid the risk of transmission. Although it may be an uncomfortable topic to discuss with one’s practitioner, it is important to keep the baby’s well being in mind. If in doubt, the best course of action is to be tested and inform one’s practitioner of any concerns.

Test Results in 24 hours

I personally have experienced the anxiety that comes with getting a HIV or STD test.  It would be ideal to get a rapid or instant STD test, but that isn’t realistic.  I was speaking with the MA at Any Lab Test Now in North Dallas and she said they usually have test results back within 24hours.  This is phenomenally quick considering most doctors’ clinics take 1-2 weeks. 

Confidential Lab Testing Center

Any Lab Test Now in North Dallas is discreetly located on the second floor in a Plano shopping center.  Typically, there are no more than 2 people there when you show up.  This also means you can be in-and-out within 15 minutes from the moment you walk in the door.  All their employees are certified MA’s and trained in HIPAA rules and regulations. 

Any Lab Test Now in North Dallas

There is currently a location in Plano with three more scheduled to opening the North Dallas area within the next 2 years.  Any Lab Test Now in McKinney has set a Grand Opening date of October 1^st.  Apart from being a choice STD testing center, their business includes every lab test imaginable. 

STD Testing Centers to avoid

I am not going to tell you where not to go.  Instead, I will give you a list of things to consider. 

• Price – Watch out for hidden specimen processing fees.  Any Lab Test Now in North Dallas does a comprehensive STD panel for $229.
• Anonymity – I don’t know about you, but I did not want to provide my name.  Any Lab Test Now allows you to list your name as “Anonymous”.
• Speed – Make sure you visit a STD center that can get results back fast.  Typically 24-48hrs. 

Asus – Eee PC Netbook

MISSION: Write an article discussing “sexually transmitted diseases” in order to create public awareness of STDs & Any Lab Test Now in Plano, TX. This may include(but not be limited to) an anonymous STD experience of someone you know, Plano/Dallas STD awareness or Dallas STD facts & statistics.

Instructions:

1. Write & post a 400+ word article pertaining to the topic: Sexually Transmitted Diseases.
2. Spell Check & Proof your article.
3. Email your article in .doc or .pdf format to Promo@AnyLabTestNorthDallas.com
4. Include your name, phone number & address.
5. You will receive a confirmation email in approximately 24-48hrs with a link to your article.
6. Winner will be notified and prize mailed October 1st, 2009.

Winning Criteria: 

This promotion is created to drive web traffic to our website. Therefore, the winner of this contest will be determined on who writes the most acceptable “STD” & “Dallas” related articles.

Prize: Asus – Eee PC Netbook (follow link for more information)

• Asus Eee PC Netbook with Intel® Celeron® Processor
• 4-cell lithium-ion battery
• Software: Microsoft Works, Adobe Acrobat Reader and Windows Live

Restrictions & Information: Poorly written articles will not be accepted. “Poorly written” constitutes bad grammar, irrelevant content, plagiarism, or misspellings. This promotion is only for the Any Lab Test Now® in Plano, TX. This franchise is locally owned, and franchise owner Greg Johnson assumes all responsibility with this promotion.

Legal Disclaimer: Any Lab Test Now® in Plano, TX reserves the right to alter this promotion at any time in order to comply with local or federal laws.