Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)

Treatment Guidelines for Clinicians (PDF)

FAQ What Are STDs? How Do I Know if I Have an STD? How Do I Know if I am At-Risk for an STD? What Happens if I Have an STD? What if I Test Positive? How to make Same-Day Appointments Clinic Location

Preventing the spread of sexually transmitted disease (STD) is everyone's responsibility. Some of the more commonly known STDs are gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis, herpes, and HIV. If you think that you or your partner may have been exposed, don't wait to get tested and treated.

Confidential treatment is available to anyone by calling the Sexually Transmitted Disease Control Program at 301-583-3150. Parental consent to get tested or treated for STDs is NOT required.

STDs WILL NOT GO AWAY IF LEFT UNTREATED

What Are STDs?
STDs, or sexually transmitted diseases, are passed from person to person through unprotected sex (sex without a condom) with an infected partner. They are caused by viruses or bacteria and include syphilis, gonorrhea, Chlamydia, genital warts, herpes, HIV/AIDS, and others.

How Do I Know if I Have an STD?

Anyone can get an STD. Many STDs have no symptoms, so you may not know you have one. And you can’t always tell if your partner has one, either. A common sign for some STDs is a sore or rash on the sex organs that may drip. But again, many STDs have no outward signs.

How Do I Know if I am At-Risk for an STD?

You are at risk for an STD if:
- you have ever engaged in unprotected sex, even oral sex.
- you have more than one sexual partner.

The only way to know for sure if you have an STD is to get tested.

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What Happens if I Have an STD?

People with STDs can spread them to their sex partners. STDs are serious. If left untreated, different STDs can:

- cause blindness
- cause infertility
- give you painful and embarrassing sores
- make it easier for you to get more serious diseases like HIV/AIDS
- even cause death.

And they hurt more than just you and your partner. A woman can pass an STD on to her baby during childbirth.

What if I Test Positive?

There are treatments for many STDs if you catch them early. The key is to find out and get treated before the STDs can do any permanent damage. STDs will not go away if left untreated. Medication is available through the STD Clinic and through your doctor.

If you test positive for an STD, it is very important that your sex partners are notified and treated. The staff at the STD Clinic can help you notify your partners.

You owe it to yourself and those you love—Find out today.

How to make Same-Day Appointments

Call 301-583-3150 (TTY/STS Dial 711 for Maryland Relay)
The telephone appointment line opens at 7:30 a.m. for same-day appointments. Please call early, as appointments fill quickly.

Clinic Location

Sexually Transmitted Disease Control Program
Prince George’s County Health Department
Cheverly Health Center
3003 Hospital Drive, Suite 3048
Cheverly, Maryland 20785

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