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STD Testing Specialist

Seven Corners Medical Center

Internal Medicine & Primary Care Practice located in Falls Church, VA

Routine STD testing is vital for protecting your reproductive and general health. At Seven Corners Medical Center in Falls Church, Virginia, skilled physicians George Sopko, MD, MPH, and Anu George, MD, offer the convenience of on-site, discreet STD testing for a variety of conditions, including gonorrhea, chlamydia, and herpes. To learn more about STD testing or to schedule a screening appointment, call Seven Corners Medical Center or request an appointment online now.

STD Testing Q & A

What are STDs?

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are infections that are spread through sexual contact with another person. You can pass an STD to someone else through vaginal, anal, or oral contact.

While STDs are preventable, it’s important that you understand your risks for infection and protect yourself through safe-sex practices.

Why might I need STD testing?

Routine screenings for sexually transmitted diseases help to identify potential problems in the earliest stages, so treatment is more effective. STDs don’t always cause symptoms, so testing is the only way to determine if you’ve been infected.

If you’re sexually active, Dr. Sopko and Dr. George can recommend which types of STD testing you should have based on your sexual history and your overall health. You may also need STD screenings if you’re pregnant or use intravenous drugs.

If left undiagnosed and untreated, STDs can cause serious health complications, including infertility, and you may spread the disease unknowingly to other people.

What STD testing is available?

To screen for STDs, Dr. George and Dr. Sopko offer on-site screenings for conditions like:

  • Herpes
  • Syphilis
  • Hepatitis
  • Chlamydia
  • Gonorrhea
  • Human papillomavirus (HPV)

You can also undergo testing for HIV/AIDS as part of your routine STD screening.

Many of the screenings are done through blood work, a urine test, or a swab obtained during a pelvic exam. If you have noticeable genital warts, which are common with herpes, Dr. Sopko and Dr. George can often diagnose the condition based on a visual evaluation.

How are STDs treated?

Sexually transmitted infections such as gonorrhea and syphilis that are caused by a bacterial infection require a course of antibiotics to clear the infection. If your infection is viral, such as with herpes, there may not be an effective treatment or cure, but the doctors can help you manage your condition. Some viral conditions, like HIV, are treatable with antiviral medications. 

Dr. George can also help patients with preventive methods against STDs. Pre-exposure prophylaxis, or PrEP, is a method used to protect those at a higher risk for HIV with daily medication. After a comprehensive health evaluation, Dr. George may prescribe Truvada for PrEP® for patients testing HIV negative, which studies have shown reduces the risk of contracting HIV from sex by 99%, when taken daily. She also provides helpful patient counseling on the best ways to continue lowering your risk of getting HIV through safer sex practices in addition to taking Truvada daily. 

In addition to treating your STD, Dr. George and Dr. Sopko offer resources to help you practice safe sex and prevent your risk for developing other STD infections.

If you need STD testing or have concerns about new symptoms, schedule a consultation at Seven Corners Medical Center today using the online booking feature or by calling the office.