If you’re looking to prevent sexually transmitted diseases, you should visit a sexual health clinic. These facilities are designed to provide testing, treatment, and advice to help patients avoid sexually transmitted diseases.
They also have trained staff and provide free consultations. Read on for more information about sexual health clinics and the services offered at Whitman-Walker GMHW.
Service offered by Whitman-Walker’s GMHW sexual health clinic
The Whitman-Walker Clinic is a center for HIV/AIDS care and other sexual health issues. Founded in 1978, it was one of the first clinics to respond to the AIDS epidemic in Washington, D.C. Since then, the Clinic has expanded its services to include primary care and a greater focus on queer healthcare. In 2011, more than 10,600 people received HIV testing and 174 new diagnoses.
The Whitman-Walker Clinic expanded its HIV/AIDS services by opening four houses and providing a food bank for AIDS patients. It also hired its first full-time HIV/AIDS lawyer and provided legal services to people affected by the disease. In addition, in 1987, the clinic opened a dental clinic for HIV/AIDS patients. In the same year, it also opened a substance abuse facility called Scott Harper House.
Procedures performed at the clinic
A sexual health clinic specializes in the prevention of sexually transmitted infections. Among other things, they offer vaccination against the hepatitis A and B viruses and the human papillomavirus. They also offer interpreting services and conduct genital exams. The procedures performed at these clinics are based on the patient’s consent and must be in accordance with the current medical standards.
The clinic’s policies and procedures must be documented and reviewed annually by its supervising physician. The clinic must also train its staff and route reportable conditions to appropriate surveillance staff. It must also comply with the DSHS HIV and STI Program Operating Procedures and Standards, Chapter 8 on HIV/STI Surveillance. In addition, the clinic’s supervising physician updates standing delegation orders (SDOs) every year. Staff who function under these orders sign them each year.
Standards of informed consent
A sexual health clinic must follow the standards of informed consent. These are principles based on the principle of autonomy, which means that the patient should be able to make their own decisions. Generally, patients should be informed of risks associated with procedures. A sexual health clinic must ensure that patients understand the risks associated with various procedures.
Informed consent should be obtained from patients under the age of 18 to ensure that they are fully aware of the purpose and possible consequences of any procedures performed on them. It should also provide patients with the option to decline any examinations or procedures. In many sexual health clinics, minors consent to some procedures.
Wait times for STD testing
The good news is that there are a variety of free and low-cost options for STD testing in most mid-size and large cities. Some even offer testing online. In addition, many health insurance policies cover the costs of the test. Urgent care centers are also an excellent option for testing most STDs. Check out the CDC’s GetTest tool to find free STD testing locations in your area.
Depending on the type of disease and the method used, STD test results can take a day or more. For instance, HIV testing is usually done in a laboratory and involves drawing blood from the patient. The blood sample is then analyzed to detect genetic material from the virus and specific antigens that are present in HIV.
Evidence-based approach schools can implement to prevent STDs
An evidence-based approach to STD prevention can help schools improve student health and reduce the risk of sexually transmitted diseases. The approach focuses on providing quality sexual health education and establishing supportive school environments. These interventions can also address other health outcomes, such as healthy lifestyle choices, such as mental health and substance use.
STIs are increasing in the United States, and they’re most common among adolescents and young adults. In 2018, combined syphilis and gonorrhea cases hit an all-time high, the CDC reported. Those numbers were up for the fifth straight year. Between 2014 and 2018, chlamydia cases increased by 15%, gonorrhea cases rose by 35%, and cases of syphilis rose by 50%.
Pap smear
A Pap smear is a simple test that examines the cells in the vagina (the opening to the uterus). The test is done to check for changes that may signal cervical cancer. The test takes a few minutes, and takes place in the doctor’s office or clinic. A health care provider will place a plastic or metal speculum into the vagina and collect the cells from the cervix. Some patients may experience minor cramping during this procedure, but nothing too serious.
The test may also reveal cells that are precancerous, but it’s not the same as cancer. An abnormal Pap smear may indicate an infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV). It may also indicate a precancerous condition, such as adenocarcinoma. If the test results are abnormal, further tests must be done to confirm the diagnosis.
Treatment of STDs
Treatment of STDs in a sexual health clinic is vital to ensure a healthy sexual life and prevent the spread of disease. Untreated STDs can have life-threatening sequelae, including infertility, ectopic pregnancy and increased HIV risk. As such, it is essential for people to visit a clinic as soon as they suspect they are infected.
Approximately one third of US STD clinic patients are younger than 30 years old, and 72.5% are non-White and uninsured. Moreover, many of these patients self-identify as homosexual or gay. Therefore, providing quality STD services to this population is particularly challenging. Furthermore, patients may be unwilling or unable to disclose their sexual orientation or risky behavior.
