Peace of Mind STD Package

The Center for Disease Control estimates that approximately 19 million new cases of STDs occur each year in the United States, with almost half of them among young people. The senior population in the United States has also experienced dramatic growth of STDs in recent years. Many of these STDs have no symptoms, so many of those who are infected don't know it. The only way to know for sure is to get tested.

Health Testing Centers make it easy to get tested. There’s no need to get a doctor’s referral and the results are private, confidential, and typically sent to you within 24 hours. The Health Testing Centers Peace of Mind Package tests for common sexually transmitted diseases including:

• HIV

• Hepatitis B

• Herpes Simplex Virus (I/II, IgG)

• Syphilis

HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is the virus that causes acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Infection is generally transmitted through unprotected sex, contaminated needles, breast milk, and from an infected mother to her baby at birth. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the estimated number of people with HIV/AIDS in the United States is about 1.2M with approximately 25% unaware of their infection.

Hepatitis B is a contagious disease that can range in severity from a mild illness lasting a few weeks to a serious, lifelong illness. Hepatitis B infection can occur through sexual contact or sharing needles / syringes. Approximately one third of the world's population, more than 2 billion people, has the hepatitis B infection, including 350 million chronic carriers of the virus.

Genital herpes is an STD caused by the two types of herpes simplex virus (HSV). Herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) typically causes oral herpes, an infection of the lips and mouth, that is commonly known as cold sores or fever blisters. Historically Herpes simplex 1 has not been known to cause genital herpes, but this is changing, especially among sexually active young people. Nonetheless, genital herpes is generally caused herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2). The herpes simplex virus is transmitted by direct contact with a sore or the body fluid of an infected individual. Results of a recent study show that at least 45 million people ages 12 and older, or 20% of adolescents and adults in the United States, have had a genital herpes infection.

Syphilis is passed through vaginal, anal, or oral sex. The symptoms of syphilis are numerous and often indistinguishable from those of other diseases. If untreated, syphilis can cause irreversible damage to the brain, heart, eyes, bones, nerves, and other body tissues. In some cases damage from syphilis can be fatal. Fortunately, syphilis can generally be treated with antibiotics, including penicillin.