A wide variety of clinics and testing facilities are available near South Bay cities in southern California to help those who suspect they may have a sexually transmitted disease (STD) receive an accurate diagnosis and effective treatment. Many of these clinics provide free or low-cost evaluation and treatment services. Early diagnosis can aid treatment in most cases.
Locations
Those living in South Bay cities can find STD treatment clinics just minutes away in nearby Inglewood, Torrance, Santa Monica and East Los Angeles. The C. Tucker Health Center provides STD care in Inglewood, while Santa Monica is served by three facilities: Westside Women's Health Center, West Health Center and Planned Parenthood. Just to the south of South Bay Cities, Torrance offers Torrance Health Center and South Bay Family Healthcare Center. To the north, East Los Angeles offers numerous treatment center options. In addition to in-person clinics, you can receive tests at home through getstdtested.com.
Symptoms and Tests
STD symptoms will vary based on disease and many become worse over time, especially if left untreated. That's why it's so important to mention all symptoms, risky behavior and concerns to the health professional you are working with. Symptoms may be as minor as redness and itchiness or as severe as lesions, warts, fever, swollen glands, swollen testicles, unusual discharge or bleeding. Some diseases, such as chlamydia, may have no symptoms at all. Herpes and genital warts may be diagnosed by a health professional after just a visual inspection. However, other STDs will require a blood test or culture from the affected area. Some diseases, such as HPV, do not have tests to screen for the disease, but rather screen for related conditions such as cervical cancer. A health professional may order additional testing if needed.
Cost
Cost will vary from facility to facility. For example, the at-home tests offered through getstdtested.com are free. Low-income facilities, such as Planned Parenthood, operate on a sliding fee scale based on income. This helps ensure that everyone, despite economic status, can receive the care she needs. Traditional health care facilities, such as the C. Tucker Health Center or South Bay Family Healthcare Center, accept a variety of health insurance options with co-payments generally dependent on your specific health plan. For those without insurance, most health centers will accept a reduced payment if you pay cash and negotiate for a discount up front.
Support Groups
Most STDs are treatable, even if they aren't curable. However, having such a condition can be stressful and really change one's life. That's why a number of organizations, often in partnership with health centers, provide disease-related support groups. More than a dozen groups in California offer support groups related to hepatitis. The closest locations to South Bay exist in Los Angeles, Long Beach and Oakland.
Treatment
Treatment options will depend on the diagnosis. For example, women with a bacterial infection receive antibiotics such as metronidazole or clindamycin. Chlamydia also is treated with antibiotics, generally azithromycin or doxycycline. Diseases such as herpes do not have cures. However, antiviral medications can shorten and prevent outbreaks and suppressive therapy can reduce partner transmission. Some diseases, such as pelvic inflammatory disease, can be cured with antibiotics but require immediate attention, as treatment does not reverse damage to the reproductive organs. Syphilis, as well, can be treated but treatment does not reverse damage to the body.
