An STI Check in the ER
The goal of STIckER is to improve the sexual health of the young adults in our community. Over the next few minutes, we will explain how you can get different sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and why YOU may want to be tested for an STI today during your emergency room (ER) visit.
The goal of STIckER is to improve the sexual health of the young adults in our community. Over the next few minutes, we will explain how you can get different sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and why YOU may want to be tested for an STI today during your emergency room (ER) visit.
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The goal of STIckER is to improve the sexual health of the young adults in our community. Over the next few minutes, we will explain how you can get different sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and why YOU may want to be tested for an STI today during your emergency room (ER) visit.
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STIs are infections that are spread from one person to another, usually during vaginal, anal, and oral sex. STIs are common.
As many as 1 in 5 people in the United States have an STI on any given day. You can have an STI even if you have no symptoms. Having an STI is nothing to be embarrassed about. You need to be tested to know if you have an STI which can be treated easily.
STIs do not just occur in the penis or vagina. Many people don’t know that they can occur in the throat and rectum (anus) as well.
What kind of sexual contact you have (vaginal, anal, or oral sex) affects where you get STIs but they can also pass from skin to genital contact and from sex toys.
STIs can cause symptoms:
Penis/Vagina – pain or burning when peeing or abnormal fluid coming out of your penis or vagina
Rectal (Anus) – pain when you poop, bleeding when going to the bathroom, anal fluid or itching
Oral (Throat) - sore throat or white spots on the back of your throat
...or you can have no symptoms at all!
STI testing is easy, quick, and painless.
To test your penis/vagina, you pee into a cup.
To test your throat or rectum, the doctor will use a swab, like a q-tip, to collect a sample. If you prefer, you can collect the sample yourself!
Just so you know...
It may seem odd to be asked about your sexual health during an ER visit. You might have had unpleasant experiences being asked sensitive questions in the past.
STIckER is...
Non-judgmental – we ask everyone the same questions no matter who they are or how they look
Private – that means we keep your information safe, all the time
Fast – answering these questions will not make your visit longer