|
Services & Fee Information
Click on a Service for More Information...
Fee Information
Testing & Treatment for STDs
Our medical clinic provides:
- All birth control methods available in the U.S.
- Pap smears, breast exams and other well-women health
care.
- Sexually transmitted disease testing for women and
men.
- Pregnancy Tests and referrals for abortion, prenatal
care or adoption.
- Emergency Contraception. (Plan B)
- Education for teens and parents.
Fee
Information
No One is ever turned Away for lack of ability to pay!
For Teens
- Services are free and confidential!
- Due to confidentiality there may be reasons a teen
may not be able to use their family’s primary health insurance
this may be discussed with the clinic assistant when an individual
contacts Okanogan Family Planning.
Sliding Scale Fee
Take Charge
- A Take Charge card is good for one full year of FREE family planning and birth control methods from a Take Charge provider (Okanogan Family Planning) or local pharmacy. Take Charge will cover birth control for a year as well as one pap smear per year. When visiting Okanogan Family Planning please feel free to ask for an application for Take Charge and the Clinic Assistant will be happy to assist you in completing the application or answer any questions.
- Take Charge does not cover: STD checks, re-pap, wart treatments or HIV tests. (However, we do have a free oral HIV test available for females, otherwise we can accept donations or tests can be done free of charge if needed.)
- As of July 2006, When applying for Take Charge, clients will be required to provide their Social Security Number and Physical Address on all applications. We will assist all clients who do not know their SS# in obtaining the information with confidentiality. (click
here to view a printable pdf of Federal Poverty Level Income Limits)
Testing and Treatment
For STD’s
(Sexually Transmitted Diseases/Infections)
Sexually Transmitted Infections/Diseases are often divided into two categories- bacterial and viral- based on the type of microorganism that causes the specific disease.
Bacterial Sexually Transmitted Diseases/Infections
Chlamydia
Description
- Which is caused by the bacteria chlamydia trachomatis,
targets the cells of mucous membranes including the surfaces of the
urethra (male and female), vagina, cervix and endometrium (the lining
of the uterus) as well as the anus and rectum. Although possible,
it rarely targets the mouth or throat. If left untreated in women,
it can spread to the fallopian tubes and lead to pelvic inflammatory
disease (PID), a serious medical condition that can cause fertility.
- Chlamydia is transmitted through vaginal or cervical
secretions and semen during unprotected anal, oral, or vaginal sex
with an infected person. It can also be transmitted from mother to
newborn during childbirth.
- Chlamydia is not transmitted through such casual contact
as hugging, shaking hands, sharing food, using the same eating utensils,
drinking from the same glass, sitting on public toilets, or touching
door knobs.
Signs
- Signs of infection usually appear within one to three
weeks after contact. In some cases, infection is obvious only after
several weeks or months. Approximately 75% of women and 50% of men
do not have symptoms.
- Women may experience such symptoms as itching, vaginal
discharge and burning during urination.
- Some women may experience pain of the lower abdomen
or back pain, pain during intercourse, bleeding between menstrual
periods, nausea, or fever if the infection has spread to the fallopian
tubes. This may indicate that the infection has progressed to a PID.
- Men may experience heaviness and discomfort in their
testicles and inflammation of their scrotal skin. They may also notice
pus in the form of think white fluid or water milky discharge from
the penis. Men may also experience pain or burning during urination.
Testing
- Chlamydia is diagnosed through cultures of secretions
collected from the urethra, anus, throat, or cervix. It is also diagnosed
through urine tests.
Treatment
- Chlamydia is curable with oral antibiotics prescribed
by a health care provider. All partners should undergo treatment at
the same time to avoid passing the infection back and forth. They
should also be sure to finish the full course of antibiotics even
if symptoms subside.
Gonorrhea
Description
- Once known as “the clap”, is caused
by bacteria called neisseria gonorrhea that grow in the warm, moist
areas of the reproductive tract, including the cervix, uterus, and
fallopian tubes in women and the urethra in both women and men. The
bacteria can also grow in the mouth, throat, and anus.
- Gonorrhea is transmitted through vaginal or cervical
secretions and semen during unprotected anal, oral, or vaginal sex
with an infected person. It can also be transmitted from mother to
newborn during childbirth.
- Gonorrhea is not transmitted through such casual contact
as hugging, shaking hands, sharing food, using the same eating utensils,
drinking from the same glass, sitting on public toilets, or touching
door knobs.
Signs & Symptoms
- Most men and women will experience no symptoms.
- Men may show signs of infection within two to five
days of exposure. Women may show signs within ten days. The signs
are similar to Chlamydia. Individuals should, therefore, receive tests
for both STD’s.
- Men may experience such symptoms as a yellow discharge
from the penis, pain or burning during urination, frequent urination,
and pain or swelling of the testicles.
- Women may experience such symptoms as a yellow or
bloody discharge from the vagina, pain and burning during urination.
- Some women may experience pain of the lower abdomen
or back pain, pain during intercourse, bleeding between menstrual
periods, nausea, or fever if the infection has spread to the fallopian
tubes. This may indicate that the infection has progressed to a PID.
- Men and women may have a sore or red throat if the
infection has spread to that part of the body.
Testing
- Gonorrhea is diagnosed through cultures of secretions
collected from the urethra, anus, throat, or cervix. It is also diagnosed
through urine tests.
Treatment
- Gonorrhea is curable with oral antibiotics prescribed
by a health care provider. All partners should undergo treatment at
the same time to avoid passing the infection back and forth. They
should also be sure to finish the full course of antibiotics even
if symptoms subside.
Syphilis
Description
- Caused by bacteria called spirochetes, causes
sores (chancres) to appear mainly on the external genitals, vagina,
anus, or in the rectum. They can also appear on the lips and in the
mouth.
- There are three stages of Syphilis. During the primary
stage, which usually occurs within 10-90 days after exposure, a sore
may appear. During the secondary phase, which usually occurs within
17 days to six-and-a-half months after exposure, a rash may appear
on various parts of the body. If left untreated, Syphilis can proceed
to the latent stage during which it may have no visible symptoms but
can cause irreversible damage to internal organs.
- Syphilis is transmitted through direct contact with
sores during unprotected anal, oral, or vaginal sex with an infected
person. It can also be transmitted from mother to newborn during childbirth.
- Syphilis is not transmitted through such casual contact
as hugging, shaking hands, sharing food, using the same eating utensils,
drinking from the same glass, sitting on public toilets, or touching
door knobs.
Signs & Symptoms
- Most men and women may experience the same signs of
Syphilis.
- During the “primary” stage, a sore may
appear on the genitals at or near the place where the bacteria entered
the body. Usually firm, round, small, and painless, the sore will
develop within 10-90 days after contact with the bacteria and will
usually last form one to five weeks. A person can easily spread the
disease during this stage. If adequate treatment is not received,
the infection will progress to the “secondary” stage.
- During the “secondary” stage, a rash may
appear over the entire body or on the hands and soles of the feet.
Other symptoms may include: fever, swollen lymph glands, sore throat,
patchy hair loss, headaches, weight loss, muscle aches and tiredness.
Symptoms may appear from 17 days to six-and-a-half months after infection
has occurred. They can last up to six months. A person can easily
spread the disease during this stage. If adequate treatment is not
received, the infection will progress to the “latent”
stage
- During the “latent” stage, the untreated
bacteria will begin to damage internal organs, including the brain,
nerves, eyes, heart, blood vessels, liver, bones and joints. Latent
signs may include uncoordinated muscle movements, paralysis, numbness,
gradual blindness, and dementia. A person is not usually contagious
during this stage.
Testing
- Syphilis is diagnosed through cultures of secretions
from the sore and through blood tests.
Treatment
- Syphilis is curable with oral antibiotics prescribed
by a health care provider. All partners should undergo treatment at
the same time to avoid passing the infection back and forth. They
should also be sure to finish the full course of antibiotics even
if symptoms subside.
Trichomonaisis
Description
- Also called, “trich” is a genital
inflammation caused by the protozoa trichomonas vaginalis.
- Trichomonaisis is transmitted through skin-to-skin
contact during unprotected anal, oral, or vaginal sex with an infected
person.
Signs & Symptoms
- Signs of infection in women appear within five to
28 days after exposure. Men usually show no signs of infection.
- Women may have frothy, yellow-green vaginal discharge
with a strong odor. They may also experience burning during intercourse
and urination as well as irritation and itching of the female genital
area.
- Pregnant women may experience a premature rupture
of the membranes and a pre-term delivery.
- Men may experience irritation inside the penis, a mild
discharge, or slight burning after urination or ejaculation.
Testing
- Trichomonaisis is diagnosed through cultures of vaginal
and penile discharge.
Treatment
- Trichomonaisis is curable with oral antibiotics prescribed
by a health care provider. All partners should undergo treatment at
the same time to avoid passing the infection back and forth. They
should also be sure to finish the full course of antibiotics even
if symptoms subside.
Viral Sexually Transmitted
Diseases/Infections
Herpes
Description
- It is a recurrent skin condition characterized by
sores on the mouth or genitals. It is caused by the herpes simplex
viruses called HSV-1 and HSV-2. Although HSV-1 most commonly causes
“cold sores” or “fever blisters” on the mouth
or face and HSV-2 most commonly causes sores on the penis or vulva,
the viruses are identical under a microscope and either type can infect
the mouth or genitals.
- Herpes is transmitted through skin to skin contact
during unprotected anal, oral, or vaginal sex with an infected person
or through kissing. This is possible even when no sore are present.
- Herpes is not transmitted through such casual contact
as hugging, shaking hands, sharing food, using the same eating utensils,
drinking from the same glass, sitting on public toilets, or touching
door knobs.
Signs
- Individuals are often not aware they are infected
with Herpes because there are wither no symptoms, mild symptoms that
are not noticed, or symptoms that are mistaken for other health problems
such as yeast infections, insect bites, and hemorrhoids.
- Signs of herpes may first appear within days. They
may, however, not appear for weeks, moths, or years. Symptoms can
last for three to four weeks though they usually heal within two to
twelve days.
- Symptoms may include one or more blisters, cuts, pimples,
bumps, or a rash. Other symptoms include itching, burning, or tingling
in either the genital area or the mouth, fever or swollen glands.
- Individuals usually have an average of four to five
Herpes outbreaks a year. The recurrences tend to lessen in severity
and frequency with time.
Testing
- Herpes is diagnosed through visual examination of
sores, an analysis of cultures from the sore(s) or blood tests.
Treatment
- There is no cure for Herpes. Antiviral medication
can reduce the frequency of outbreaks and speed the healing of the
outbreaks.
Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
Description
- A sexually transmitted infection that may cause small painless bumps around the genitals, anus or mouth. The human papillomavirus causes Genital Warts that can infect the genital tract. These warts can grow on the cervix, vagina, penis, scrotum, urethra and anus. HPV can also cause other abnormal cells to grow on the cervix and can lead to cervical cancer.
- HPV is transmitted through skin to skin contact during unprotected anal, oral, or vaginal sex with an infected person or through kissing. This is possible even when no sores are present. It can also be transmitted when warts are not present. It is sometimes transmitted from mother to infant during childbirth.
Signs
- People with HPV may experience no visible signs or symptoms or may have warts in places they cannot see (such as the cervix).
- Genital Warts are raised or flat growths that are usually fish colored or whitish in appearance.
- Genital Warts usually does not cause itching or burning.
- If left untreated, genital warts may disappear. However, HPV infection remains and warts can reappear.
Testing
- The presence of HPV on the cervix is detected through a pap smear.
- Through a direct visual exam.
Treatment
- There is no cure for HPV. There are however a number of methods to remove wards.
- HPV infection remains and warts can reappear.
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
Description
- A virus that causes an individual's immune system to weaken and lose its ability to fight off infections and cancers. After developing a number of these infections or reaching a certain blood count level, and HIV-positive person is diagnosed with Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS).
- HIV is present in blood, semen, vaginal secretions and breast milk.
- HIV is transmitted through unprotected anal, vaginal and oral sex with an infected person; through contaminated needles or syringes used to inject drugs; or from an infected mother to her newborn during child birth ar breast feeding.
- HIV is NOT transmitted through such casual contact as hugging, shaking hands, sharing food, using the same eating utensils, drinking from the same glass, sitting on public toilets, or touching door knobs.
Signs
- There are no signs or symptoms for HIV.
- The average time between HIV infection and AIDS is eight to eleven years.
- Over time, HIV causes the body to develop opportunistic infections or cancers normally controlled by a healthy immune system.
- AIDS symptoms are usually those of the opportunistic infection or cancer. These include fever, chills and sweats, chronic fatigue, appetite or weight loss, muscle and joint pain, long lasting sore throat, swollen lymph nodes, diarrhea, yeast infections and skin sores.
- Opportunistic infections that most frequently affect someone with AIDS include Kaposi's sarcoma, pneumocystis carini pneumonia (PCP), tuberculosis, meningitis, and Herpes simplex infections.
Testing
- HIV infection is diagnosed through blood tests. It can also be diagnosed through urine tests and an oral fluid test taken from the inside of the mouth. Individuals exposed to HIV may not test positive for three to six months.
- Individuals should test periodically for HIV if they feel they are at risk.
Treatment
- There is no cure or vaccine for HIV or AIDS. There are, however, new combinations of drugs (called "cocktails") that allow people to live with the infection or HIV/AIDS for longer periods of time.
Hepatitis B
Description
- A virus that causes chronic infection, cirrhosis (scarring), and cancer of the liver.
- Hepatitis B is present in blood, semen, vaginal secretions and breast milk.
- Hepatitis B is transmitted through unprotected anal, vaginal and oral sex with an infected person; through contaminated needles or syringes used to inject drugs; or from an infected mother to her newborn during child birth ar breast feeding.
- Hepatitis B is NOT transmitted through such casual contact as hugging, shaking hands, sharing food, using the same eating utensils, drinking from the same glass, sitting on public toilets, or touching door knobs.
Signs
- Individuals will usually experience mild flu-like symptoms including fever, aches, appetite loss, and fatigue.
- Many people will experience no symptoms.
- May people will develop a temporary jaundice (yellowing of the skin) as well as dark urine, nausea, and abdominal pain.
Testing
- Hepatitis B infection is diagnosed through blood tests.
Treatment
- There is no cure for hepatitis B. Treatment varies depending on whether the infection is acute (newly acquired) or chronic (persistent).
- Hepatitis B is the only STD for which a vaccine is available. Individuals must take all three doses of the vaccine to protect themselves against infection. They can obtain the vaccine from their health care provider.
|
 |
HOME | OUR STAFF | OKANOGAN STATISTICS | SERVICES | EDUCATION | CONTACT 
