Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD)

An estimated 20 million Americans become infected with a sexually transmitted disease (STD) each year, and that number is on the rise. The highest incidence of STDs occurs in 15-24-year-olds, and STDs are more prevalent in women than men.

Common STDs

• Genital herpes
• HPV (genital warts)
• Hepatitis B and C
• HIV
• Pelvic inflammatory disease
• Chlamydia
• Gonorrhea
• Syphilis
• Trichomoniasis
• Pubic lice (crabs)

Sexually transmitted diseases are caused by bacterial, viral, or parasitic infections that are spread from person to person during vaginal, oral, or anal sex. STDs caused by bacteria, such as gonorrhea or chlamydia can be cured, whereas those caused by a virus, such as genital herpes or genital warts, can be treated but not cured.

The majority of people infected with STDs do not exhibit symptoms, or they have mild signs that can be easily overlooked. Sexually transmitted diseases are dangerous because they often go undetected and can easily spread from one partner to another. STDs can lead to infertility in a woman or – even worse – cancer, which is why it’s important to get tested if you are sexually active.

At Aventura OB/GYN Advanced Care, we provide confidential STD testing for girls and women in southern Broward County and northern Miami-Dade County. The testing is simple and quick. Depending on what you are being tested for, we’ll either take a blood sample, a swab or ask you for a urine specimen.

If you test positive for any STD, Dr. Santos will promptly treat you. Bacterial and parasitic STDs can be treated and cured with antibiotics while viral STDs can be treated and managed with antiviral medications.

In addition, Dr. Santos offers Gardasil®, a vaccine for HPV, or human papillomavirus. Gardasil is well-known for preventing the types of HPV that cause most genital warts and cervical cancers, but it can also prevent some cancers of the anus, vulva, vagina, and oropharynx (back of throat including base of tongue and tonsils). The vaccine should be given to girls when they are 11-12 years old. It can also be given up to age 26 for those who have not previously been vaccinated.

If you think you or your daughter may have an STD, you should seek testing and treatment immediately. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Santos at Aventura OB/GYN Advanced Care, please call our North Miami GYN office at (305) 931-7960 or request an appointment online