TAG | STD Tests
STD Testing During Pregnancy
Having an STD 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.
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.
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Anonymous HIV & STD Testing Dallas
0 Comments | Posted by admin in Anonymous HIV Testing, Anonymous STD Testing, Confidential HIV Testing, Confidential STD Testing
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.
