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Confidential. Discreet . Private – STD Clinic Singapore
With over 43,000 HIV & Rapid STD tests done, our clinic has the experience to detect sexually transmitted diseases and infections accurately.
Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) can be transmitted through various sexual activities – oral, anal, or vaginal intercourse. Anyone who is sexually active is at potential risk of an STD.
DTAP STD Clinic Singapore
Do see a doctor and get yourself screened if you have any STD symptoms that may suggest an infection.
If you feel well but are sexually active and have never been screened before, or have a new sexual partner, do remember that a lack of STD symptoms DOES NOT equate being free of STDs! – STD Symptoms
Having genital sores, cold sores or cauliflower-like warts around your genital area? These are signs and symptoms caused by the Herpes Simplex Virus and Human papillomavirus (HPV).
Not all STDs will display signs and symptoms. Other typical signs & STD symptoms of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) are as followed:
Chancroid is a sexually transmitted infection caused by the bacterium Haemophilus ducreyi. It is a highly contagious but curable disease.
Symptoms typically begin 4 to 10 days after sexual exposure. Patients usually develop a small, red pustule on the genitals that breaks down within a day or two to form a painful, soft ulcer with irregular borders.
About half of infected males develop a solitary ulcer whereas women usually develop 4 or more ulcers. In males, the ulcer can be located anywhere on the genitals, including the penis and scrotum. In females, the ulcers can occur on the labia, between the labia and anus, and along the inner thigh.
Lymph node swelling in the groin may accompany shortly thereafter, and these may break through the skin and form large draining abscesses (collections of pus). These swollen lymph nodes and abscesses are referred to as buboes. With lymph node involvement, fever, chills and malaise (general feeling of illness) may also develop.
Other symptoms of Chancroid include rectal bleeding, pain with bowel movements, vaginal discharge, painful urination (women) and pain during sexual intercourse (women).
Chlamydia is the most common STD worldwide. It is a bacterial STD caused by Chlamydia trachomatis and can occur in the genital tract or even be carried in the throat. Chlamydia can frequently be completely asymptomatic, particularly in women. Studies estimate up to half of the men and 70-90% of women with Chlamydia may not have any symptoms whatsoever.
Symptoms of Chlamydia can include urethritis (inflammation of the urine tract), epididymoorchitis (inflammation of the testicles or epididymis), vaginitis, cervicitis and pelvic inflammatory disease (involving the uterus and fallopian tubes)
If symptoms do occur, they usually surface from a few days to 2-3 weeks after the initial infection.
Anonymous Rapid STD Test for Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea PCR is available in all our clinics in Singapore – Next Day STD Results
(Detect the DNA of both Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea in real-time)
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is an extremely common virus that belongs to the herpes virus family.
An infected individual can transmit the virus during periods of activation – when it is not adequately suppressed by one’s immune system. CMV is transmitted through sexual contact, saliva, urine, and vertical transmission from mother to infant before or during birth, or through breastfeeding.
Infected individuals carry the virus lifelong but it remains suppressed by the immune system in healthy individuals and they have no long term health complications. CMV can cause symptoms and potentially dangerous, even life-threatening illness and complications in individuals with weakened immune systems, such as infants whose immune systems are not fully developed, or individuals on immunosuppressive or chemotherapy and individuals with poorly controlled HIV.
During the initial infection, some individuals may experience symptoms of:
In immunocompromised individuals, CMV can affect and cause symptoms involving various organs:
In symptomatic adults, antibody blood tests can be used to diagnose CMV infection. For infants with CMV, a urine or saliva sample is usually used to test for infection. Healthy individuals with no symptoms do not require any treatment for CMV. However, in immunocompromised individuals who develop symptoms or in cases of congenital CMV infection, anti-viral medications can be used to treat and suppress the virus.
Gonorrhoea is a bacteria STD of the genital tract and can also occur in the throat from oral intercourse. Gonorrhoea Symptoms tend to surface within a few days up to 2 weeks after the initial infection.
Anonymous Rapid STD Test for Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea PCR is available in all our clinics in Singapore – Next Day STD Results
(Detect the DNA of both Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea in real-time)
HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. HIV is often the first and most dreaded STD that people think about. HIV infects the body’s immune system. Over time, it reduces the number of immune cells in the body, leading to a state of weakened immunity where individuals are susceptible to unusual and severe infections as well as cancers.
The symptoms of HIV are widely variable, depending on the stage of infection. Not everyone will experience the same symptoms. Many individuals infected with HIV may have no symptoms whatsoever.
(several weeks after infection)
Learn more:
The bulk of these HIV symptoms are due to unusual infections which can occur because of a severely weakened immune system. The following list is not exhaustive.
Also Read: 10 Common HIV Related Opportunity Infection
The bottom line is that there are no tell-tale symptoms of HIV infection. The only way to know is to get tested. Early diagnosis is crucial for early treatment, which in turn enables people with HIV to live normal and healthy lives.
Learn more: How to get an Anonymous HIV Test in Singapore
Hepatitis B is an infection of the liver caused by a virus called Hepatitis B virus. It can cause an acute infection which sometimes results in the person becoming a carrier. Locally, 6% of the Singapore population are hepatitis B carriers. Those who test positive for hepatitis B for more than 6 months after the first test, are diagnosed as chronic. Hepatitis B (HBV) does not spread through the sharing of food, water, utensils, breastfeeding, hugging, kissing, hand holding, coughing, or sneezing.
How does one get infected with Hepatitis B?
Newly acquired (acute) Hepatitis B (HBV) infections symptoms arise occasionally. The presence of signs and symptoms varies by age.
Hepatitis B symptoms appear an average of 90 days (range: 60–150 days) after exposure to HBV. If they develop yellowing of the whites of the eye, yellowing of the skin with vomiting, abdominal pain and drowsiness, they should seek medical attention as soon as possible.
Hepatitis B is diagnosed through a blood test looking at the Hepatitis B surface antigen and Hepatitis B surface Antibodies; a Hepatitis B core antigen is used to distinguish active from past infection.
There is no specific treatment for Hepatitis B; only supportive care. In many cases, chronic Hepatitis B carriers do not need treatment but they will require 6 month follow up with blood tests and/ or ultrasound liver for the rest of their lives. In cases where Hepatitis B carriers require treatment, the treatment may involve immune molecules or antiviral medications.
Hepatitis B is a vaccine-preventable disease. All sexual partners, family and close household members living with a chronically infected person should be tested and vaccinated.
Hepatitis C is a liver disease caused by the hepatitis C virus, a highly infectious, bloodborne virus. It can cause both acute (short term) and chronic (long term, persistent) liver inflammation which can range from very mild with no symptoms to severe and life/organ threatening.
The different stages of Hepatitis C infection and their associated symptoms:
Acute hepatitis C
Chronic hepatitis C
It is important to note that a lot of infected individuals have NO SYMPTOMS during both the acute infection and chronic phase.
Certain groups of people may be at increased risk of hepatitis C. These include:
Hepatitis C infection is diagnosed through blood tests.
Treatment of hepatitis C is only offered for chronic hepatitis C. The good news is that the current anti-viral treatment options for hepatitis C have a high cure rate of >90%. Infected individuals will also need regular follow-ups to monitor for liver inflammation and complications like liver cirrhosis and cancer.
There is unfortunately no vaccine available for hepatitis C. The only hepatitis virus vaccines available are against hepatitis A and B.
Herpes is caused by the Herpes Simplex Virus type 1 or type 2 (HSV-1 or HSV-2). It is a common STD and can be spread through bodily secretions like saliva or genital fluids. Once infected, individuals may experience flares or outbreaks of herpes from time to time. In between flares, they are asymptomatic. These outbreaks occur typically in the oral, genital or anal region.
The symptoms of herpes are similar in both males and females.
Symptoms of herpes occur only during a flare or outbreak
The first flare of herpes after the initial infection is typically the worst and may even be associated with fever, fatigue and swollen lymph nodes.
Many individuals with HSV have NO symptoms whatsoever and may not even be aware that they carry the virus. Even when absolutely asymptomatic, they can still transmit the virus to others.
(The symptoms of herpes are similar in both males and females)
Rapid Herpes Testing is available in all our clinics in Singapore – Next Day Results
Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) is a very common STD. Most people who are sexually active are likely to be exposed to various strains of HPV at some point in their lives. Most HPV infections are asymptomatic and infected individuals can still spread the virus to their sexual partners.
Different strains of HPV are associated with various cancers or genital warts or warts.
Symptoms of HPV in both men and women:
Symptoms of HPV in women:
HIV Proviral DNA Tesing is available in all our clinics in Singapore. Anonymous HIV Testing is only available in our Robertson Walk clinic.
Lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) is an uncommon sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by Chlamydia trachomatis.
Lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) occurs in 3 stages:
Lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) is one of the causes of genital ulcer diseases that includes other STDs, such as Herpes Simplex Virus 2, Syphilis, and Chancroid. Any other form of STDs increases your risk of contracting another STD, including LGV. Not all subtypes of Chlamydia cause LGV.
LGV is almost exclusively transmitted through sexual contact. Infection occurs after direct contact with the skin or mucous membranes of an infected partner.
Laboratory diagnosis ultimately depends on detecting Chlamydia in the lesions/ulcers. We can do a swab test of any lesions and do a urine test to see if Chlamydia is present or not.
Treatment options for LGV – it can be treated with antibiotics. However, a longer course has to be given (3 weeks). Your doctor will choose the appropriate antibiotic for you.
Molluscum contagiosum is a fairly common skin infection or condition caused by a virus called Molluscum contagiosum, a type of poxvirus. It manifests as raised, pearly, flesh or skin coloured bumps which may sometimes have a central dimple (known as “central umbilication”).
Molluscum contagiosum is spread through skin contact with the virus. Both children and adults alike can be infected by the virus. It spreads when you come into direct contact with someone else’s molluscum lesions, be it through sexual contact, or during contact sports like wrestling. Unfortunately, the virus can survive on surfaces outside the body and can remain on infected surfaces like clothing, towels, gym equipment etc.
Molluscum contagiosum is a benign and self-limiting condition. However, scratching lesions can result in scarring or secondary bacterial skin infections.
Molluscum contagiosum is diagnosed clinically.
Treatment is recommended for:
Various treatment methods available include:
Certain strains of Mycoplasma (e.g. Mycoplasma hominis, Mycoplasma genitalium) and Ureaplasma (e.g. Ureaplasma urealyticum, Ureaplasma parvum) are bacterial STDs which typically affect the genital tract.
See: Mycoplasma Genitalium Screening & Treatment
Syphilis is caused by a bacteria called Treponema pallidum. Because it is an infection with different stages, it may manifest with a variety of symptoms. These symptoms can sometimes be so mild or unnoticeable that they may be dismissed, which is why syphilis is often diagnosed incidentally on screening (through a blood test).
If left untreated, the infection can spread to involve multiple organs including the brain, eye, nerves and heart.
The symptoms of syphilis are similar in both males and females and can manifest anytime from weeks to months or even years after initial infection.
Syphilis can also cause general symptoms like fever, enlarged lymph nodes, sore throat, which may be incorrectly attributed to other causes.
(manifests a few weeks up to 3 months after infection)
(manifests months or more after initial infection)
this list is non-exhaustive and symptoms depend on the organ affected.
this is when an infected individual has NO symptoms but the disease can progress to tertiary syphilis with devastating consequences.
When syphilis affects the eye and nervous system – can occur anytime, and result in visual problems and even blindness.
Anonymous Rapid Syphilis Testing is available in all our clinics in Singapore – Results in 20 mins
Trichomoniasis is a genital STD caused by a parasite called Trichomonas vaginalis. Symptoms usually surface several days up to a month after initial infection.
Rapid Trichomonas PCR Testingis available in all our clinics in Singapore – Next Day STD Results
Certain blood borne STDs like Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C may have no symptoms. Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C infect the liver and cause chronic inflammation. Infected individuals may feel perfectly fine for years.
It is a common misconception that not having symptoms means that one does not have any STD. While some STDs may indeed cause symptoms, a good number of STDs can actually be completely asymptomatic. Some STDs may also only cause symptoms much later, when the disease is more severe. People who look and feel entirely well can still have and transmit an STD to their sexual partners.
Furthermore, as you will see later in this article, many STDs may cause similar symptoms. Certain STDs also cause very nonspecific symptoms which may often be wrongly attributed to other medical conditions.
One should never assume that one is clear of STDs; the only certain way to know is to get screened. – STD Symptoms
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