ACCORDING to the World Health Organisation (WHO), more than one million sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) or infections are acquired every day worldwide. It is crucial for those who are sexually active to understand the importance of safe sex and how to protect yourself from the risk of sexually transmitted diseases.

What is an STD?

By way of definition, a sexually transmitted disease or infection is passed on from one person to another through sexual contact. The type of sexual contact may be vaginal, oral or anal. The only way to completely protect yourself from STDs is to abstain from sexual activity entirely. Condoms are a trusted means of protecting yourself from contracting and/or passing on an STD to a sexual partner. Practising safe sex does not only mean using a barrier method when engaging in sexual activity, it also means making sure you know your status and getting tested frequently so long as you are sexually active.

The most common STDs are chlamydia, gonorrhea, herpes and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Each infection has its own defining symptoms and treatment methods, which you can consult your doctor about for more information. Some of the most common symptoms that should raise STD concerns include:

• Sores or bumps on the genitalia, rectum or mouth

• Painful or burning sensation when urinating

• Unusual and/or excessive discharge from the penis or vagina

• Unusual vaginal bleeding

• Pain during sexual activity.

If you have one or more of these symptoms you should reach out to a doctor — whether in person or virtually — to get advice on your next steps. This most likely will include getting tested and subsequently moving forward with a treatment plan to ease your symptoms and eradicate the infection for those that are curable.

Telemedicine and STDs

Consulting a doctor online via telemedicine services is a secure and reliable first step in STD diagnosis and care. With such a sensitive topic as STDs, patients may want to have some extra privacy when inquiring about their risks or symptoms. Telemedicine provides just this. You can get medical advice on how to protect yourself from contracting an STD as well as explain to your doctor some of your symptoms if you feel you’ve been exposed or are at risk. Additionally, if there is a sore or bump that is causing you some worry you can use online services to send photos to your physician to get advice as to whether this should be a cause for concern or not. Lastly, if you are already aware that you have an STD and may deal with lifelong symptoms or flare-ups, online services may allow you access to quick prescriptions without you having to deal with the inconvenience of visiting a doctor’s office each time.

It is important to understand that online health services are entirely safe and confidential, and no information you share via these platforms will be shared with anyone outside of you and your physician. However, there are huge limitations to the use of telemedicine services to treat STDs. The main limitation is that in order to confirm your symptoms are as a result of an STD you will have to get lab tests done, even if your symptoms may check every box for diagnosis.

Testing for STDs

Those who are sexually active are encouraged to get tested every six months — whether they have any symptoms or not. Testing for STDs does not have to be a difficult and inconvenient task. Many locations offer rapid STD testing that allows you to get your results within 30 minutes, rather than wait days with the traditional methods of testing.

MDLink adds additional convenience for STD testing by offering rapid testing services at their drive-through location in Kingston, located at 168 Old Hope Road. Not only will you be able to maintain the privacy you wish to get these tests done but you will be able to get quick results — all in the comfort of your car and with none of the anxieties of packed waiting rooms.

You are in charge of your sexual health

During STD Awareness month, and every month after, you should keep track of your sexual health to not only protect yourself but your sexual partner/s. Today’s world of technology gives you access to various conveniences, including professional health-care advice in the comfort of your home as well as rapid testing to get on top of your treatment as soon as possible. While no shame should be attached to protecting your sexual health, ensuring you feel safe and comfortable enough in the spaces you have health access to is extremely important. Discuss with your physician today about the ways you may get access to information and treatment for STDs, and learn more about how telemedicine can help you as a private, convenient starting point for treatment.

Dr Ché Bowen, a digital health entrepreneur and family physician, is the CEO & founder of MDLink, a digital health company that provides telemedicine options. Check out the company’s website at www.theMDLink.com. You can also contact him at drchebowen@themdlink.com.