Get Tested: STD Tests Available at Ogden Clinic

Sexually-transmitted diseases (STDs) are some of the biggest health concerns that aren’t discussed enough. Three common STDs have increased sharply across the United States for the fourth year in a row: Chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis. All three are curable with the right medicines, yet most cases go undiagnosed and untreated. This can lead to severe health problems including infertility, ectopic pregnancy (pregnancy outside the womb), stillbirth in infants, and increased HIV risk.

To help reverse this trend, Ogden Clinic and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are calling on individuals to take three actions to protect themselves and their partners from STDs: Talk, Test, and Treat.

In-house STD Testing at Ogden Clinic

Ogden Clinic offers testing and treatment for the most common STDs affecting men and women. Tests are available at our Family Medicine and Urgent Care locations.

Chlamydia/ Gonorrhoeae (Swab and urine testing)

Vaginosis/ Vaginitis panel tests for Trichomoniasis*

Treponema Pallidum Antibody tests for Syphilis (Blood testing)

Herpes Simplex Type 1 IgG and Type 2 IgG for Genital Herpes (Blood testing)

*At Ogden Clinic, this test is performed via swab testing. However, trichomoniasis can also be diagnosed via urine microscopic exam.

More About these STDs

Chlamydia can cause serious, permanent damage to a woman’s reproductive system. This can make it difficult or impossible for her to get pregnant later on. Because chlamydia presents no symptoms, testing is crucial.

Gonorrhea can cause infections in the genitals, rectum, and throat. It is a very common infection, especially among young people ages 15-24 years. Untreated gonorrhea can cause serious and permanent health problems in both women and men. In women, untreated gonorrhea can cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). Some of the complications of PID are formation of scar tissue that blocks fallopian tubes, ectopic pregnancy (pregnancy outside the womb), or infertility. In men, gonorrhea can cause a painful condition in the tubes attached to the testicles. In rare cases, this may cause a man to be sterile, or prevent him from being able to father a child. Untreated gonorrhea may also increase your chances of getting or giving HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.

Most women and men infected with chlamydia or gonorrhea have no symptoms. The CDC recommends an annual chlamydia and gonorrhea screening of all 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 a sexually transmitted infection.

Vaginosis/ Vaginitis Panel for Trichomoniasis (or “trich”) it is the most common curable sexually transmitted disease (STD). In the United States, an estimated 3.7 million people have the infection. However, only about 30% develop any symptoms.

Trich is caused by infection with a protozoan parasite called Trichomonas vaginalis. Although symptoms of the disease vary, most people who have the parasite cannot tell that they are infected.

Syphilis it is a sexually transmitted infection that can cause serious health problems if it is not treated. Syphilis is divided into stages (primary, secondary, latent, and tertiary). There are different signs and symptoms associated with each stage.

Start Talking, Get Tested

Ogden Clinic and the CDC encourage all individuals to take an active role in their sexual health. Here’s where to start:

• Talk openly with partner(s) and healthcare providers about sex and STDs.
• Get tested. Because many STDs have no symptoms, getting tested is the only way to know for sure if you have an infection.
• If you test positive for an STD, work with your healthcare provider to get the correct treatment. Some STDs can be cured with the right medication. Those that aren’t curable can still be treated.

Need to schedule a visit? Appointments can be booked online or over the phone by calling 801-475-3000.