STD treatment in Philadelphia, PA starts with confidential testing, an accurate diagnosis, and a treatment plan matched to the specific infection. Most bacterial infections such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis are cured with a short course of antibiotics, while viral infections such as herpes and HIV are controlled with prescription medication that keeps you healthy and lowers the risk of passing the infection to others.
This page explains which infections we test for, what symptoms deserve attention, how treatment works step by step, and what to expect from a visit. Care is provided by Dr. Violetta Berdichevskaya, a physician with more than 20 years of internal medicine experience, in a private setting where no question is off limits.
Quick facts at a glance:
Testing uses a urine sample, a swab, or a small blood draw, depending on the infection. Chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, and trichomoniasis are curable, while herpes, HPV, HIV, and hepatitis B are treatable and manageable — and hepatitis C is now curable as well. Since many infections cause no symptoms, screening matters even when you feel fine.
What STD Treatment Involves
Sexually transmitted diseases, also called sexually transmitted infections or STIs, are passed through vaginal, anal, or oral sex and, in some cases, skin-to-skin contact. Treatment means identifying the exact organism responsible and using the medication proven to clear or control it. Because different infections respond to different drugs, guessing is never a substitute for testing, and a precise diagnosis protects your health and your partner’s.
Common STDs We Test For and Treat
Bacterial and Parasitic Infections (Curable)
- Chlamydia: the most frequently reported bacterial STD in the United States, often silent, treated with oral antibiotics.
- Gonorrhea: may cause discharge or painful urination, treated with an antibiotic injection.
- Syphilis: progresses in stages and can affect the heart and brain if ignored, treated with penicillin.
- Trichomoniasis: a parasite that causes irritation and discharge, cleared with a short antiparasitic course.
Viral Infections (Manageable)
- Genital herpes (HSV-1 and HSV-2): antiviral medication shortens outbreaks and reduces how often they return.
- HPV: warts can be removed, and the vaccine prevents the strains linked to cancer.
- HIV: daily antiretroviral therapy keeps the virus undetectable, and we coordinate ongoing care with a specialist.
- Hepatitis B and C: monitored and treated with antiviral medication, with hepatitis C curable in most adults.
| Infection | Sample Used | Typical Treatment | Curable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chlamydia | Urine or swab | Oral antibiotics | Yes |
| Gonorrhea | Urine or swab | Antibiotic injection | Yes |
| Syphilis | Blood test | Penicillin injection | Yes |
| Trichomoniasis | Swab or urine | Oral antiparasitic | Yes |
| Genital herpes | Swab or blood | Antiviral tablets | No, but controlled |
| HIV | Blood test | Antiretroviral therapy | No, but suppressed |
Symptoms That Call for Testing
Symptoms vary widely, and many infections — especially chlamydia and gonorrhea — produce none at all. Book a visit promptly if you notice any of the following:
- Burning or pain when urinating
- Unusual discharge from the penis or vagina
- Sores, blisters, bumps, or a rash on or around the genitals, mouth, or anus
- Itching, redness, or swelling in the genital area
- Pain during sex or bleeding between periods
- Lower abdominal or testicular pain
- Swollen lymph nodes, fever, or body aches after a new sexual contact
Even without symptoms, testing is wise after unprotected sex, a new partner, a partner who tested positive, or a broken condom.
How STD Treatment Works at Our Philadelphia Clinic
Every visit follows a clear, respectful process designed to get you answers quickly.
- Private consultation: you describe your concerns and recent exposures in a closed exam room with your doctor only.
- Targeted testing: based on your history, we collect a urine sample, a swab, or a blood draw. Most patients need only one or two.
- Results review: results typically return within a few business days, and we call you with a clear explanation.
- Treatment: if a result is positive, medication is prescribed the same day. Some treatments can be started before results return when symptoms and exposure make an infection likely.
- Partner notification and follow-up: we help you plan how to inform partners and schedule a retest, usually about three months after treatment for chlamydia or gonorrhea.
Because your care comes from a Philadelphia physician who treats the whole person, related concerns — like urinary issues, skin changes, or fatigue — can be addressed in the very same visit.
Why Early Treatment Matters
Untreated infections rarely stay small. In women, chlamydia and gonorrhea can spread to the uterus and fallopian tubes, causing pelvic inflammatory disease, ectopic pregnancy, and infertility. In men, they can cause epididymitis — a painful infection of the tube that carries sperm. Syphilis left alone can damage the nervous system years later, and almost any active infection raises the chance of acquiring or transmitting HIV. Prompt treatment closes these doors before they open.
Prevention and Ongoing Sexual Health
Treatment resolves today’s problem, and prevention keeps it from returning. Practical steps include:
- Use condoms or dental dams consistently, including for oral sex.
- Get vaccinated against HPV and hepatitis B if you have not already.
- Ask about PrEP if you are at ongoing risk for HIV.
- Get tested with a new partner before stopping condom use.
- Screen at least once a year if you are sexually active, and more often with multiple partners.
Annual screening for sexually active adults under 25 and for anyone with new or multiple partners follows national guidance from the CDC, and we tailor the schedule to your situation.
Why Choose Avellina Aesthetics for STD Care
Many people delay care because they fear judgment or worry about privacy. Our clinic is built around discretion: appointments are scheduled to limit waiting room time, results come directly from your doctor, and the practice serves a diverse community, including LGBTQ+ patients, with the same respect.
Because Dr. Berdichevskaya also practices internal medicine in Philadelphia, she can spot when a symptom points to something other than an STD, such as a urinary tract infection, a yeast infection, or a skin condition, and treat it without sending you elsewhere.
Key Takeaways
Most STDs are either curable or highly manageable once diagnosed. Since symptoms are unreliable, exposure alone is reason enough to test, and testing is quick, usually involving a urine sample, swab, or blood draw. Early treatment prevents infertility, chronic pain, and transmission to partners. Physician-led care also keeps your results private while addressing related health concerns in one visit.
Get Confidential Answers and Fast Relief
Worry has a way of growing in silence. Testing takes minutes, results arrive in days, and treatment for most infections is simple. Schedule a private appointment and let an experienced physician replace uncertainty with a clear plan.
For confidential STD treatment in Philadelphia, PA, Avellina Aesthetics welcomes patients from Abington, Southampton, Bucks County, and Philadelphia. Call (215) 722-6022 or book online, and take the first step toward peace of mind today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Chlamydia and gonorrhea can be detected about one to two weeks after exposure, syphilis and HIV usually need three to six weeks for reliable results, and herpes is best tested when a sore is present. If you test early, plan a follow-up test to confirm.
Yes, bacterial and parasitic infections such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, and trichomoniasis are fully curable with the right medication. Viral infections such as herpes and HIV cannot be removed from the body, but daily treatment keeps them controlled and protects your partners.
Yes, your visit, results, and treatment are protected by federal privacy law and shared only with you. Certain positive results are reported to the health department for public tracking, but your name is never released to partners or employers.
Your doctor calls you, explains what the result means, and prescribes treatment right away. You will receive instructions on when it is safe to resume sex, how to notify partners, and when to return for a retest.
Informing recent partners is strongly recommended because they may be infected without symptoms and could reinfect you. In many cases we can help arrange treatment for your partner at the same time, and we can point you to confidential, anonymous partner-notification resources if you'd rather not reach out directly.
Cost depends on which tests are needed and whether medication is included, and we review pricing before any test is run. Many insurance plans cover screening, and self-pay options are available for patients who prefer to keep the visit off their insurance record.
Often, yes. When symptoms and exposure history clearly point to a specific infection, treatment can begin at your first visit while lab results are pending. Call ahead, and we will do our best to see you the same day.
At least once a year is the baseline, and every three to six months is recommended for people with new or multiple partners, men who have sex with men, or anyone whose partner has an untreated infection. Pregnant patients should be screened early in pregnancy.