Get Care & Learn

Learning about STIs & Testing

STI stands for Sexually Transmitted Infection.

These infections are passed from person to person through sexual contact with the penis, vagina, rectum, or mouth. STIs are often referred to as sexually transmitted diseases or venereal disease. Common STIs include syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, and herpes. Some people with STIs may not have symptoms, but they can still carry the bacterium or virus and require treatment.

Bebashi provides confidential syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, pregnancy screening, Hepatitis C, and HIV screenings.

Testing

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everyone between 13 and 34 years of age be tested at least once as part of routine health care. Almost one in five people in the United States who have HIV do not know they are infected.

HIV is spread through unprotected sex and drug-injecting behaviors (plus mother to child), so people who engage in these behaviors should get tested more often. If you answer yes to any of the following questions, you should definitely get an HIV test:

• Have you had unprotected sex (sex without a condom) – anal, vaginal, or oral – with men who have sex with men or with multiple partners since your last HIV test?
• Have you injected drugs (including steroids, hormones, or silicone) and shared equipment (or works, such as needles and syringes) with others?
• Have you exchanged sex for drugs or money?
• Have you been diagnosed with or sought treatment for a sexually transmitted infection (STI), such as syphilis?
• Have you been diagnosed with or sought treatment for hepatitis or tuberculosis (TB)?
• Have you had unprotected sex with someone who could answer yes to any of the above questions or someone whose history you don’t know?

If you continue having unsafe sex or sharing injection drug equipment, you should get tested at least once a year. Sexually active gay and bisexual men may benefit from more frequent testing (e.g., every 3 to 6 months).

You should also get tested if:

• You have been sexually assaulted
• You are a woman who is pregnant or planning to get pregnant.

Get Tested At Bebashi

We offer anonymous and confidential HIV/Hep C/STI testing and pregnancy screenings. HIV test results are available within 20 minutes.

These services are available at our office, as well as additional locations throughout Philadelphia.

If you need a test, simply stop by our office or call us at (215) 769-3561 for more information.

Bebashi also has an onsite nurse, who is available to provide health screenings, provide referrals, and to help HIV positive consumers access healthcare resources. This service is available every Tuesday from 1:00pm-4:00pm.