STD Specialist
Faiza Tahir, MD
Infectious Disease Physician located in Baytown, TX
When it comes to sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), many people primarily worry about HPV and HIV/AIDS. Yet cases of chlamydia are up 19%, gonorrhea rose by 56%, and syphilis has spiked 74% higher. With this trend, it's essential to protect your health with STD testing and treatment from Faiza Tahir, MD PA, in Baytown, Texas. Dr. Tahir offers comprehensive care that cures STDs and keeps HIV/AIDS well controlled. If you have questions about STDs or need to schedule an appointment, call or book an appointment online today.
STD Q&A
What are STDs?
An STD is an infection that spreads between partners during oral, vaginal, and anal sex. The most common STDs include:
- Human papillomavirus (HPV)
- Chlamydia
- Gonorrhea
- Syphilis
- Genital herpes
- Trichomoniasis
- Hepatitis B
- HIV/AIDS
Your body normally clears away HPV before it causes an infection. But if the virus takes hold, it causes genital warts and cancer of the cervix, vagina, vulva, penis, and throat.
Who needs STD testing?
If you're sexually active, you should consider periodic STD testing. It's especially important to get tested if you have multiple sex partners, have sex without using a condom, or learn that a partner is diagnosed with an STD.
Testing is important because STDs don't always cause symptoms. Without testing, you won't know you have an infection. Without treatment, STDs lead to serious complications, from infertility, birth defects, and premature delivery to arthritis, blindness, and paralysis.
What symptoms appear if I need STD testing?
STD symptoms may not appear for days, and when they do, they can be so mild you won't notice them. They also don't last very long, but even after they disappear, you still have the STD. The symptoms include:
- Sores or bumps on your genitals
- Discharge from your vagina or penis
- Burning during urination
- Pain during ejaculation
- Itching, pain, or swelling of the vagina
You may also have flu-like symptoms such as a headache, fatigue, fever, and nausea.
What type of STD test will I need?
The type of testing you need depends on which infection you're being tested for. Some STDs require a urine test, while others need a blood test or a swab to collect samples from the infection site.
Dr. Tahir chooses the best test based on your symptoms, risk factors, and if you know the type of STD you may have been exposed to.
How are STDs treated?
Dr. Tahir can cure most STDs with antibiotics. She treats viral hepatitis with an intensive course of antiviral medications.
You can prevent HPV infections with a vaccine, but you need to get the vaccine before the age of 26. Once an HPV infection develops, Dr. Tahir cures the problem by removing the genital warts or the cells affected by the infection.
HIV/AIDS is currently the only STD that can't be cured. However, it can be kept under control and your viral load significantly reduced with antiretroviral therapy (ART). Dr. Tahir may also prescribe medications that prevent you from getting HIV.
If you need STD testing or treatment, call Faiza Tahir, MD PA, or book an appointment online today.