STD Testing - Pregnancy & Family Life Center of Citrus County

Did you know it’s possible to have an STD and not even know it? This is because many of the most common STDs are asymptomatic, which means they don’t present with symptoms.

But if you have an STD, it can still cause health problems and spread to your partner, which is why early detection and treatment is essential.

What Is an STD?

STDs, or sexually transmitted diseases, are bacterial, viral, or parasitic infections that can be transmitted during sexual activity.

What Are the Symptoms of an STD?

The most common bacterial STDs often don’t present with symptoms, but when they do, they might include the following:

Chlamydia: This bacterial infection can cause:
- Abnormal vaginal discharge
- A burning sensation when urinating
- If left untreated, it can lead to reproductive damage, causing infertility and ectopic pregnancies (life-threatening conditions in which the pregnancy develops outside the uterus).
Gonorrhea: This bacterial infection can cause:
- Painful or burning sensation when urinating
- Increased vaginal discharge
- Vaginal bleeding between periods
- If left untreated, it can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which causes reproductive damage, infertility, and chronic pelvic pain.

What If I’m Pregnant and Have an STD?

Having an STD while pregnant is a dangerous situation for you and the baby. Many STDs can cause you to deliver early or experience pregnancy complications, and others can pass from mother to baby during delivery.

For example, chlamydia can pass to the baby during birth and cause an eye infection or pneumonia.

Where Can I Get Free STD Testing and Treatment?

If you are sexually active—and especially if you’re pregnant—getting tested for STDs is essential.

At Pregnancy and Family Life Center, we provide testing and treatment for the most common STDs. Treatment for these STDs includes antibiotics. However, if you have a more complicated STD, we can provide a free community referral for treatment.