Urgent Care VS Emergency Care – Going for STD

Urgent Care VS Emergency Care – Going for STD

Urgent care centers are well known for handling minor illnesses and injuries such as flu, sore throat, minor cuts and so on. These are conditions that require immediate attention but are not true emergencies. These clinics are convenient and well-staffed with qualified medical specialists. The clinics are also authorized to give immunizations, test for drugs and pregnancy among other tests. What about STD testing and treatment? The answer is yes. Urgent care centers are a viable option when it comes to this sensitive subject.

It is a good idea to get tested for an STD anytime you have had unprotected sex and are feeling quite uneasy. Also if you exhibit any symptoms of STDs such as burning sensation while urinating, or colored discharge, rush to the nearest urgent care center. You could also do regular tests if you are generally sexually active or have multiple partners. Expectant women are also at risk with most not displaying symptoms but should be tested for syphilis and chlamydia despite their sexual history.

STD’s are an un-comfy topic to talk about to just anyone while they require equal urgent attention since the conditions are uncomfortable. STD testing is something most people want to do away with and collect the results and immediately start a medication. They also offer confidential testing free from your primary health care provider who may have contact with family or friends besides other factors. With no appointments in an urgent care clinic, it could be a huge benefit while trying to get things done quickly. The urgent care clinics will make the whole procedure, convenient regarding speed, privacy, and quality.

STD testing and treatment will be affordable at an urgent care center. If you are insured, the medical insurance will cover the costs. If you are not insured, there is nothing to panic about since the urgent care centers are generally affordable. It will cost you a whopping $1500 on average to visit an emergency room for the same STD treatment you will pay up for $150 at the urgent care centers.

On the other hand, many patients will ask if they can be treated for STD’s at emergency rooms such as Frontline ER. Having your treatment in the emergency room is possible. However, there are a few downfalls along the way. Most emergency departments are beginning to request for a positive test result on STD’s before they can decide on what to administer to a patient. A recent study showed that over-prescription and abuse of antibiotics are becoming a significant trend in the emergency rooms for patients suspected to have STDs. The same study learned that a substantial number of these alleged patients did not even test positive for an STD.

Emergency rooms will first attend to the severe conditions first. Critical conditions such as heart attacks, excessive bleeding, strokes and so on. STDs do not lie in this classification as they are not considered true emergencies. For this reason, a suspected STD patient will probably wait longer than expected for the severe cases to be handled then his or her genital cultures will be collected for testing. The results are not an immediate action. This means one has to wait a bit longer for the results. In such cases, antibiotics are often prescribed as a precautionary action. This has been suspected to be one factor that has led to the increase in antibiotic-resistant syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia.

Over-prescription of STD antibiotics has been discouraged over the years by the Center for Disease Control urging medical professionals to only administer when sincerely required. Operations to have quick testing procedures for STD testing in emergency rooms are underway and probably even come up with testing fees. This will make STD treatment easier in emergency rooms.      

In another study, most emergency departments over diagnose Urinary Tract Infections as Sexually Transmitted Diseases and vice versa. Part of the problem arises when the lower urinary tract infections share the same symptoms as some sexually transmitted infections such as urgency, frequency, and dysuria which is painful urination. Also in some cases, urinary tract infections and sexually transmitted infections can result in similar findings from urinalysis hence the misdiagnosis. In some cases, due to emergency room traffic, some urine samples go untested and worse, the patient goes home undiagnosed hence the administering of antibiotics that brings up the anti-resistance problem.

STDs are preventable, and probably the best measure to take is use protection. Although the use of condoms doesn’t entirely eliminate the transmission of STDs, they will significantly cut down the chances of contracting the STDs. In the case you experience any symptoms related to an STD after a sexual encounter, it is advisable that you abstain from sex until you get tested. STD testing is a straightforward procedure that won’t take much of your time when done in an urgent care clinic. If the results come out positive, don’t panic, most STDs are eliminated easily with the right medication. We can’t emphasize enough: use protection. 

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