Free STD Testing in West Dougherty, GA

The area has resources that let you get You can get information not only at medical facilities, but at other places such as one of the many schools in the area, an office of the Georgia Department of Public Health, or a Planned Parenthood center. The options are many.

Getting tested for an STD is important to your health. Remember that you can prevent STDs. Talk to a

healthcare provider about getting tested. Make sure your partner is tested before having sex. Always use a condom to prevent STDs. A place to get tested is at the Dougherty County Health Department and its STD Clinic in Albany.

We will look more at resources but for now let’s consider some statistics about the area that has an unemployment rate below the state average, a median age below the state average, and a black population above the state average.

Planned Parenthood Southeast covers the state of Georgia and can be a good place to get information and testing. The people at Planned Parenthood are trained to help someone like you looking for information. They believe in the right of every person to get reliable and accurate information regardless of age, income, marital status, race, ethnicity, religions, residence, or sexual orientation.

Remember that you can be tested for gonorrhea and chlamydia using a urine sample. If this test shows an infection, you can get treatment. You may also need a genital exam or blood test. You can get a blood sample with a finger stick. The results can come back within an hour for some tests and a week for others, such as for HIV testing.

In your area you can find reliable information about sexual health plus get tested. You can go to an area hospital or call Planned Parenthood. You could also go to a nurse or counsellor at an area middle school or high school. Here is a list of high schools in the area covering grades 9 to 12.

Albany High School

Dougherty Comprehensive High School

Monroe Comprehensive High School

Westover Comprehensive High School

A counsellor or nurse at one of these schools can help you as they are used to helping people in your situation, wanting to get information or testing.

Remember also that the Dougherty County Health Department has an STD Clinic in Albany. Testing services include Chlamydia Testing, Conventional Oral HIV Testing, Gonorrhea Testing, Herpes Testing, Rapid Oral HIV Testing, Syphilis Testing, and TB Testing. They can address your concerns in a caring way.

You can also get condoms and reliable information. The clinic serves adolescents, youth, teens, adults, at risk people, the general public, HIV position persons, low income persons, persons practicing high risk behaviors, persons with HIV/AIDS, and persons with STDs. They will be able to help you.

Phoebe North Hospital is another good place for information on testing. It is a not for profit hospital located in Albany. Call 229-434-2000 for information about their services and how they can help you get information and get tested and treated if needed.

A recent report showed that Dougherty County leaders were concerned by STD/HIV numbers in the area. The report showed Dougherty County teens rank high in sex-related diseases compared to other parts of Georgia. Officials with the Southwest Public Health District offered alarming statistics about the impact of sexually transmitted diseases and HIV in the the county. The information came from a Dougherty County Commission’s business meeting.

HIV rates are on the rise in Dougherty County. There is cause for concern. There are estimates showing that 15-20 percent of people are unaware that they’re living with HIV. It is important to always know your status. You must also know the status of your partner. HIV can be treated. Catching it early is important. You should get tested. This is especially true in Dougherty County as it has a high rate of transmission of HIV.  The Georgia Health Department measured HIV rates per 100,000 people in the state of Georgia with 35 cases per 100,000 people.

With you living in an area that has a median age below the state average, you have many young people and they could be sexually active. Make sure you get tested. Know your status.

An STD is an infection you get when you have unprotected sex with someone who has an STD. This can include chlamydia and gonorrhea. Anyone can get an STD or spread it. It can affect someone rich or poor. It can also include HIV. You should know that the person you are having sex with does not have an STD. Use protection against infection. Use a condom. Get tested. It does not matter if you are a girl or a guy.

Remember that you can be tested for gonorrhea and chlamydia using a urine sample. If this test shows an infection, you can get treatment. You can also get treatment for your partner. Do not urinate or engage in sexual intercourse one hour before testing. You may also need a genital exam or blood test. You can get a blood sample with a finger stick. The results can come back within an hour for some tests and a week for others, such as for HIV testing.

Let’s look now at how STI testing resources can be available for you in the general area. There are several resources available. Remember the sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are infections you get by having sex. These include gonorrhea and chlamydia. These infect your sexual and reproductive organs. HIV, hepatitis B, and syphilis cause general body infections and are also STIs.

You might wonder what you can expect during a visit to a clinic that deals with STIs. You might be asked to fill out forms so a counsellor or doctor can help you better. The medical staff will know more about what would be the next thing you should do.

After you fill out paperwork someone will see you and talk about the best options for you. You should be honest when you talk to a health care provider. They can best help you then. Put your health first. During an exam you could provide specimens such as a urine sample or blood work. These will be sent to a lab. Only you will get the results. If you test positive and have an infection, you will get medicine to treat the condition.

The Dougherty County Health Department can handle STI issues at its clinic in Albany where they can also provide a variety of services. This can include testing for everything from chlamydia to gonorrhea, herpes, syphilis, and HIV. The clinic serves people of all ages and backgrounds, rich or poor. It could be a good place for you to get information and testing plus help you be on your way to good health.

You can also go to an area hospital or school plus call Planned Parenthood. The options are there for you.  You can ask about STDs such as chlamydia and HIV.

A chlamydia infection can show no symptoms. Or, symptoms can develop weeks after you get the infection. If symptoms do occur, they can include burning at urination or vaginal discharge in women. For men it can include discharge from the penis or pain and swelling of one or both testicles. In women the infection can spread and lead to infertility.

Let’s remember that HIV is a virus that causes an infection. It is sexually transmitted. Over time an HIV infection can cause AIDS. AIDS is a condition where your immune system fails. It can be life threatening. It can mean more infection and cancer. Infection with HIV occurs by the transfer of blood, semen, vaginal fluid, and pre-ejaculate.

You should get tested for STDs. You need the tests for good health. Always use a condom to prevent STDs.

We have looked now at what resources are available in your area so you can learn more about STDs, get tested, and get treatment if needed. We looked at hospitals, a public health department, schools, and planned parenthood services.

These are all resources that you could use. They can help you with testing, education, and overall good sexual health and well being. Remember to put your health first. Get tested. You may not feel anything with some STI diseases that infect you as with chlamydia. The symptoms do not occur right after you get infected. You should find out for sure if you have the infection and get it treated.

Remember to put your health first, get tested, and if needed get treated. Use a condom to prevent STDs. Know your partner. You will be happy that you did.

Here are links to resources mentioned above.

http://www.phoebehealth.com/locations/phoebe-putney-memorial-hospital-(north-campus)/phoebe-putney-memorial-hospital-(north-campus)-home-north-campus

http://www.docoschools.org

http://www.southwestgeorgiapublichealth.org/dougherty/