One Community Health is committed to helping people live healthier lives through high-quality, comprehensive STD and HIV testing in Sacramento.
What are sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)?
Sexually transmitted diseases are diseases that can be passed from one person to another through intimate physical contact and sexual activity, and usually have no signs or symptoms. STDs are very common and cases have been increasing across the United States, especially in California.
How can I protect myself?
If you are sexually active, here are some things you can do to lower your chances of getting STDs and HIV:
- Get to know someone before having sex with them. Talk honestly about STDs and get tested – before you have sex.
- Use a condom correctly and use one every time you have sex.
- Don’t mix alcohol or recreational drugs with sex. When you’re drunk or high, you’re more likely to make decisions that put you at risk for an STD, such as having sex without a condom.
- Limit your number of sex partners. You can lower your risk for STDs if you only have sex with one person, who only has sex with you.
- Talk honestly with your health care provider and find out if you should be tested for STDs and HIV.
What you don’t know can hurt you
If you know your STD status, you can take steps to protect yourself and your partners. If you don’t know you have an STD, you can’t treat it, you could be spreading it to your partner, and it can lead to serious reproductive problems and even harm your unborn child.
Am I at risk for STDs?
No matter your age, gender, ethnicity or race, if you are sexually active you are at risk. Make sure you’re protected every time you engage in sexual activity.
How will I know if I have an STD?
Most STDs have no signs or symptoms. You or your partner could be infected and not know it. The only way to know your STD status is to get tested. One Community Health offers confidential STD and HIV testing at our Midtown and Arden-Arcade locations.
Can STDs be treated?
All STDs can be treated but only some can be cured, like gonorrhea, chlamydia and syphilis. Others like herpes and HIV can’t be cured but medicines can be prescribed to manage symptoms.
Even if you’ve been tested and successfully treated for an STD, you’re at risk for the same or a new STD every time you have sex without using a condom and/or have sex with someone who has an STD.
Get vaccinated
There are vaccines available for some STDs. Gay and bisexual men are a greater risk for hepatitis A and B and the human papillomavirus (HPV), and for this reason the CDC recommends that you receive these vaccines. Also, all girls and boys who are 11 or 12 years old should get the recommended series of HPV vaccine.
Should I get tested?
If you are sexually active, getting screened for STDs is one of the most important things you can do for your health. Talk openly and honestly with your health care provider about what’s best for you. Here’s a brief overview of STD testing recommendations:
- All adults and adolescents ages 13 to 64 should be tested at least once for HIV.
- Sexually active gay and bisexual men may benefit from more frequent HIV testing (e.g., 3 to 6 month intervals).
- Annual chlamydia and gonorrhea screening for sexually active women younger than 25 years, as well as older women with risk factors such as new or multiple sex partners, or a sex partner who has an STD.
- Syphilis, HIV and hepatitis B screening for all pregnant women, and chlamydia and gonorrhea screening for at-risk pregnant women starting early in pregnancy, with repeat testing if needed, to protect the health of mothers and their infants.
- Screening at least once a year for syphilis, chlamydia and gonorrhea for all sexually active gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (MSM). MSM who have multiple or anonymous partners should be screened more frequently for STDs.
- Anyone who has unsafe sex or share injection drug equipment should get tested for HIV at least once a year.
STD and HIV Testing at One Community Health in Sacramento
STD and HIV testing services are available at our Midtown Campus in Sacramento during the following days and times:
Monday – Friday, 8 am-6 pm
Saturday, 9 am-4 pm
Testing is available for HIV, Hepatitis C, Chlamydia, Gonorrhea and Syphilis.
Call 916 443-3299 or make an appointment online to get tested.