Nicolette: 0:01

Welcome to the Health Pulse, your go-to source for quick, actionable insights on health, wellness and diagnostics. Whether you're looking to optimize your well-being or stay informed about the latest in medical testing, we've got you covered. Join us as we break down key health topics in just minutes. Let's dive in.

Mark: 0:26

Ever feel like you're just swamped, trying to keep up, figure out what's actually important, but there's just so much noise.

Rachel: 0:33

Yeah, it's a lot.

Mark: 0:34

That's kind of what we try to do here. Cut through that and today we're diving into something really fundamental for health something that affects so many people. Often, you know, without them even knowing it, Sexually transmitted infections or STIs Exactly, and I think there's this idea that they're like rare, or you definitely know if you had one.

Rachel: 0:54

Right, that's a really common thought, but it's well. It's a misconception and one that can have some pretty significant impacts.

Mark: 1:00

Totally so. Our mission today, really sparked by this great article Are you at risk? Totally so. Our mission today, really sparked by this great article Are you at Risk? The Most Common STIs and how to Get Tested is to look at how common these things really are.

Rachel: 1:10

And why they're often so silent. So symptom free.

Mark: 1:13

Yeah, and why. Getting tested regularly is just well smart for you, for your partners. Ok, so let's get into it.

Rachel: 1:21

Well, the first thing that jumps out and the article highlights this using CDC data is the sheer scale. Over one in five people in the US have an STI right now.

Mark: 1:30

One in five, yeah, wow.

Rachel: 1:32

Yeah, think about that. It's a huge chunk of the population. It really drives home that this isn't some, you know, fringe issue.

Mark: 1:38

And the kicker is, like you said, a lot of those folks have no idea. Yeah, a lot of those folks have no idea. Yeah, right, because they feel fine.

Rachel: 1:43

Exactly. The article really hammers this point home. So many STIs are asymptomatic. It's like a silent infection it's there doing its thing, but your body's not sending up flares.

Mark: 1:55

You feel OK, so you assume you are OK.

Rachel: 1:58

Precisely, and you add to that over 20 million new STI cases diagnosed every single year in the US.

Mark: 2:06

Whoa.

Rachel: 2:06

Yeah, that shows how actively these infections are spreading. The article specifically flags a rise in chlamydia and gonorrhea, especially in people under 30.

Mark: 2:15

And it's not just those two, is it? The article mentioned HPV human papillomavirus?

Rachel: 2:20

Oh, absolutely. Hpv is incredibly common. The article states that nearly all sexually active in-veil will get HPV at some point Nearly all.

Mark: 2:26

Yeah, that's almost universal for anyone active.

Rachel: 2:29

Yeah.

Mark: 2:29

Makes you wonder why it's not talked about more. You know.

Rachel: 2:32

It's a really good point and it leads straight into why people often don't get tested. The article mentions the main reason.

Mark: 2:39

They feel fine. No symptoms, no problem, or so you think.

Rachel: 2:43

But that's where the risk comes in. The NIH data backs this up. Waiting for symptoms can mean delaying treatment.

Mark: 2:49

Which lets the infection maybe get worse, or you might pass it on without realizing.

Rachel: 2:53

And potentially leads to some serious, sometimes even irreversible, complications later on, things that really impact your long-term health.

Mark: 3:01

Okay, so this is where it gets really practical. Let's look at some of these common STIs the article mentions and what happens if they're just sort of lurking.

Rachel: 3:09

Good idea. Let's start with chlamydia Often asymptomatic, the article says, especially for women.

Mark: 3:15

So you might not know at all.

Rachel: 3:16

Right. If symptoms do pop up. It might be like unusual discharge, maybe some pain when you pee or just sort of a discomfort down low in the abdomen.

Mark: 3:26

OK, but the danger is if it goes untreated.

Rachel: 3:29

Yeah, untreated chlamydia can cause pelvic inflammatory disease, pid, and that can lead to infertility. It's a really serious outcome.

Mark: 3:38

Wow, ok, what about gonorrhea?

Rachel: 3:41

Often similar. It can overlap with chlamydia symptoms or again be totally silent.

Mark: 3:46

So same kind of pattern.

Rachel: 3:47

Pretty much. If you do get symptoms maybe a burning feeling during urination, discharge, guys might get testicular pain. But the risk if it's left alone the article note it can spread.

Mark: 4:01

Spread where.

Rachel: 4:02

To your joints, even into the bloodstream, which sounds pretty scary.

Mark: 4:05

Yeah, definitely Okay. What's next? Syphilis.

Rachel: 4:08

Ah yes, Syphilis. The article calls it the great imitator.

Mark: 4:11

Why is that?

Rachel: 4:12

Because its symptoms can be all over the place, making it hard to you know. Tin down Early on maybe a painless sore, then later perhaps a rash or flu-like feelings.

Mark: 4:21

So it did seem like lots of other things.

Rachel: 4:23

Exactly. But the long-term consequences of untreated syphilis are no joke potential damage to your nerves, your heart, your brain, other organs really serious stuff.

Mark: 4:31

Okay, trichomoniasis, is that another sneaky one?

Rachel: 4:35

Often is yeah, especially for men Frequently silent. Women might notice itching, burning, maybe an unusual discharge.

Mark: 4:41

And the treatment.

Rachel: 4:49

The interesting thing the article points out is it's usually just a single dose of antibiotics, super treatable.

Mark: 4:51

But if you don't know you have it because there are no symptoms, you don't get treated. Right, You've got to test to know. Okay, herpes HSV1 and 2.

Rachel: 4:56

Right. So herpes can cause those painful sores or blisters, sometimes tingling beforehand. But and this is key many, many people with the virus never show symptoms.

Mark: 5:06

Never, but they can still pass it on.

Rachel: 5:08

That's right, they can still transmit it, and while we don't have a cure for herpes currently, there are antiviral meds that really help manage outbreaks.

Mark: 5:15

Got it and then back to HPV. So it's super common. Often no symptoms.

Rachel: 5:20

Correct. The big concern with HPV isn't immediate symptoms usually, but the risk that certain strains not all of them can lead to cancers down the road.

Mark: 5:29

Like cervical cancer.

Rachel: 5:30

Exactly Cervical, anal throat cancers are linked to certain HPV types. That's why routine screening, like pap tests and specific HPV tests for women, is so critical. It catches early changes.

Mark: 5:42

Okay, and lastly, hiv.

Rachel: 5:43

Hiv Early on symptoms might feel like the flu or again there might be nothing for a long time, years even.

Mark: 5:50

And all that time it's damaging the immune system.

Rachel: 5:53

Yes, silently weakening it. But the really positive message in the article and it's crucial is that with early detection and treatment, people with HIV can live long, healthy lives. The treatments are incredibly effective now.

Mark: 6:07

So, taken all together, it just really paints a picture, doesn't?

Rachel: 6:10

it.

Mark: 6:10

Relying on symptoms is well, it's risky.

Rachel: 6:14

It really is, which leads us to the next big question.

Mark: 6:16

Who should be getting tested and when?

Rachel: 6:19

Yeah, and the article is super clear. Sti testing isn't just for people with symptoms or you know lots of partners, it's you're sexually active.

Mark: 6:29

Like getting your teeth cleaned or physical.

Rachel: 6:31

Exactly like that. So the article lays out some specific times when testing is definitely recommended. Anyone sexually active for one, especially if you're under 30, where rates for some STIs are higher.

Mark: 6:42

OK what else?

Rachel: 6:42

If you have a new partner or multiple partners, if you've had unprotected sex, even just once.

Mark: 6:47

Makes sense.

Rachel: 6:48

Also, if you're starting a new relationship, just being proactive, if you're pregnant or thinking about getting pregnant, that's really important for the baby's health too, right, and of course, if you have ever been diagnosed with an STI before, your risk might be a bit higher for others. Or if you have any symptoms, even mild ones discharge, irritation, pain. Don't ignore those.

Mark: 7:08

And just routinely right If it's been a while.

Rachel: 7:11

Yeah, the article suggests if you haven't been tested in the last year, it's probably a good time for a check-in.

Mark: 7:16

And I thought this was interesting. The article mentions even people in monogamous relationships. Why is that?

Rachel: 7:22

Well, because STIs can be silent for so long, right? If either partner was sexually active before the relationship, there's a chance something could have been acquired back then and just never caused symptoms. Testing offers peace of mind.

Mark: 7:34

Yeah, that makes sense, okay, Okay. So someone decides, right, I should get tested. What's that actually like? Is it a big ordeal?

Rachel: 7:45

Not usually. No. The article reassures that it's often quick, easy and pretty discreet like under 20 minutes sometimes and results usually come back in a few days.

Mark: 7:52

Okay, that doesn't sound too bad. What kind of tests are involved?

Rachel: 7:54

It depends a bit, as the article explains, depends on your symptoms, if any, your sexual activities, because that affects where you might need to be swabbed, and whether it's just routine or because you think you were exposed.

Mark: 8:06

Gotcha, so what are the common methods?

Rachel: 8:09

You've got urine tests often used for chlamydia and gonorrhea simple pee in a cup.

Mark: 8:13

Easy enough.

Rachel: 8:14

Then blood tests. Those can check for HIV, syphilis and also herpes antibodies which show if your body's encountered the virus before.

Mark: 8:22

OK.

Rachel: 8:23

And swabs. Depending on risk factors and practices, that could be a throat swab, rectal swab or genital swab, and for women, as we mentioned, the pap smear often includes HPV testing.

Mark: 8:35

now, and it's confidential. People worry about that.

Rachel: 8:37

Yes, testing is confidential. It's often covered by insurance too, and the article even points out there are at-home testing kits now for extra privacy, if that's a concern.

Mark: 8:46

Oh, interesting, so lots of options.

Rachel: 8:48

Definitely, the goal is to make it accessible.

Mark: 8:50

Which brings us back to that core idea, doesn't it? The absolute importance of testing regularly, even if you feel perfectly fine.

Rachel: 8:59

Exactly Because, as we've said over and over, most STIs, especially early on, are silent, no symptoms, Like a hidden risk, just sitting there.

Mark: 9:07

And letting them sit there untreated. That's where the real problems can start. Down the road, the article reminds us.

Rachel: 9:13

Yeah, chlamydia and gonorrhea potentially leading to PID, infertility, chronic pain, testicular inflammation for men.

Mark: 9:21

The syphilis hitting the nervous system, brain, heart.

Rachel: 9:24

Certain HPV types increasing cancer risk over time. Hiv weakening the immune system if it's not managed.

Mark: 9:30

So regular testing isn't just about avoiding an itch or a discharge right now. It's actually about protecting your long-term health, preventing some really serious stuff.

Rachel: 9:39

And protecting your partners too. Of course, it's about shared health and responsibility. Early detection, as the article really stresses, means early treatment, and early treatment often means a complete cure or very effective management.

Mark: 9:51

Right, it's the key.

Rachel: 9:52

So to kind of wrap up our deep dive here, the big takeaway is STIs are common way more common than you might think.

Mark: 10:01

And often silent. No warning signs.

Rachel: 10:04

Which makes regular testing absolutely crucial. If you're sexually active, it's just part of taking care of yourself.

Mark: 10:09

And it's not something to be like embarrassed or anxious about. It's actually really proactive and responsible. It's about knowing your status.

Rachel: 10:16

Right. Knowledge is power here. It lets you and your partners make informed choices.

Mark: 10:21

The article frames testing as simple, smart and empowering. Whether it's your very first test, just a routine annual check, or something you do for peace of mind when starting with someone new, it's all good.

Rachel: 10:33

Yeah, it's a positive step for your overall well-being.

Mark: 10:35

And remember, for anyone who prioritizes convenience or privacy, those at-home testing options the article mentioned. Like QuickLab Mobile, they exist. Find what works for you.

Rachel: 10:46

Absolutely, because ultimately, as the source material really underscores, knowing your status is maybe the best protection you have.

Mark: 10:52

So we really hope this conversation gives you something to think about. Take control, get informed. Make the choices that are right for your health. What are you going to do with this knowledge now? That's the important next step.

Nicolette: 11:11

Thanks for tuning into the Health Pulse. If you found this episode helpful, don't forget to subscribe and share it with someone who might benefit. For more health insights and diagnostics, visit us online at wwwquicklabmobilecom. Stay informed, stay healthy and we'll catch you in the next episode.