Wondering if you should get tested for STIs? If you are having sex, it’s important to get tested even if you don’t have any signs or symptoms of infection. Testing protects your health and prevents passing an infection to a partner.
What is an STI?
A sexually transmitted infection (STI) is an infection or condition caused by a virus, bacteria, fungus, or parasite people can get through sexual contact. STIs pass from one person to another through vaginal, oral, and anal sex. A sexually transmitted disease (STD) develops because an untreated infection has caused progression and symptoms of a disease. Many people use STI and STD interchangeably, but STI is the most accurate term to describe the condition.
Do I Have an STI?
Are my symptoms from an STI or something else? Maybe your partner told you he contracted an STI? Untreated STIs can lead to health complications, infertility, miscarriage, birth defects, pregnancy complications, and PID (pelvic inflammatory disease).
Not all STIs display symptoms, but people may experience:
- Painful urination
- Unusual discharge
- Pain during sexual intercourse
- Unusual vaginal bleeding
- Sore, swollen lymph nodes
- Lower abdominal pain
Free STI Testing & Treatment
We offer free and confidential limited STI testing, counseling, and treatment to women and men of childbearing age. Our nursing team will meet with you and explain your testing and treatment options. We will start with an health screening and then collect urine and/or blood samples.
Based on testing criteria and guidelines, we currently offer urine tests and treatment for chlamydia, gonorrhea, and trichomoniasis. We offer blood tests for Hepatitis C, HIV, and Syphilis.
STI testing cannot be scheduled online. To schedule a free and confidential appointment give us a call at 817.579.1233 and we’d be happy to assist you.
We do not offer physical exams, pap smears, or treatment for other health concerns but will provide referrals for these services to local resources.
Cleveland Clinic. (2022, November 29). Are STIS and STDs the same thing?
https://health.clevelandclinic.org/sti-vs-std
Cleveland Clinic. (2023, February 3). Sexually transmitted infections.
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9138-sexually-transmitted-diseases– Infections-stds–stis
CDC. (2022, September). Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID).
https://www.cdc.gov/std/treatment-guidelines/pid.htm