If your screening indicates that you are positive for syphilis, chlamydia, gonorrhea, herpes, HPV, or a form of vaginitis, treatment will be provided at our clinic free of charge.

Ongoing treatment options, for herpes or HPV, are discussed on a case by case basis.

HPV (Human Papillomavirus) Vaccine

Genital HPV (human papillomavirus) is the most common sexually transmitted virus in the United States. More than half of all sexually active men and women are infected with HPV at some time in their lives and about 20 million Americans are currently infected.
Most HPV infections don’t cause any symptoms, and go away on their own. But, HPV can cause cervical cancer in women (cervical cancer is the 2nd leading cause of cancer deaths among women around the world) and HPV is associated with several less common cancers in both men and women. It can also cause genital warts and warts in the throat.

Vaccines to prevent HPV became available in 2006 and it is generally recommended that young people receive these vaccines before becoming sexually active to have the best preventative effect.
Sexually active young people who have not been vaccinated are at high risk for HPV. To reduce their risk, young people (ages 19-26) seeking an STD screening at our clinic can opt to receive a free HPV vaccine (Gardasil) as a part of their screening.
The Gardasil Vaccine requires three doses and may be given at the same time as other vaccines. The first dose is given at the time of your STD screen; you must return to the clinic in two months for the second dose; you will be asked to return again, in four months, for the final dose.

The HPV vaccine is important, especially for females, because it can prevent most – but not all – cases of cervical cancer if it is given before a person is exposed to the virus. Because cervical cancer is highly treatable, if detected early, even women who have had  the HPV vaccine should continue to have Pap smears at the recommended frequency of once every three years.  

Hepatitis Vaccines

Hepatitis, or inflammation of the liver, can be caused by numerous factors. Viruses are one cause of hepatitis. In the United States, the most common forms of viral hepatitis are A, B and C.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) encourages all adults to be vaccinated against Hepatitis A and B. Currently, there is no vaccine for Hepatitis C.

Persons at risk for STDs are considered to be at high risk for hepatitis A and B. For this reason, we offer free hepatitis A and B vaccines as an option for persons being screened in our STD clinic.

The hepatitis A and B vaccines may be given separately or as a combination A/B vaccine. The hepatitis A only vaccine requires two doses: the first dose is given at the time of your STD screen; you must return to the clinic in six months for the second dose. The hepatitis B only and the hepatitis A/B combination vaccine requires three doses: the first dose is given at the time of your STD screen; you must return to the clinic in one month for the second dose; you will be asked to return again, six months after the second dose, for the final dose.

Many people are vaccinated against hepatitis A when they travel outside of the United States. Since 1992, OSHA guidelines have required that employers offer the hepatitis B vaccine to anyone who may be at risk of exposure, in the course of their occupation. Pennsylvania school vaccination requirements have been systematically integrating the hepatitis B vaccine since 1997; by 2009, all students will be expected to be vaccinated against hepatitis B. If you do not know whether or not you were vaccinated against Hepatitis A and B in the past, or if you are unsure of your Hepatitis B status, please feel free to talk with our clinician.

In the absence of a vaccine for Hepatitis C, anyone who has or is at risk for Hepatitis C is strongly encouraged to be vaccinated against Hepatitis A and B. Preventing infection of Hepatitis A and B is a way to protect a liver that is already at risk, due to Hepatitis C infection or the behaviors likely to result in Hepatitis C infection today.

QUESTIONS?

For further information about our STD screening and treatment services, contact our STD Clinic Manager, Christine Morrison, RN at (570)622-3980, extension 204 or cmorrison@cocountywellnessservices.org.

 

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All services are confidential and provided free of charge.