Possible ghonorrhea or chlamydia contraction. How long?

I believe that I may have contracted ghonorrhea or chlamydia. I have had a burning sensation when urinating and I had a stain from discharge on my underwear the other day. I would like to know how I can go about getting treatment and what I have to do. Also, I have read that infertility can happen if not treated. How long do you have to go untreated for that to happen. I have no health insurance at this time. Are there any health centers that treat STD cases w/out insurance? Thank you!

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Your symptoms indeed sound typical for gonorrhea, chlamydia, or another STD involving your cervix or vagina.  Trichomonas also could cause it, or perhaps herpes.  Infertility really is only a problem for gonorrhea or chlamydia that go untreated for at least a couple of weeks.  If you get treated right away, you should have no worries about it.

Almost every local health department runs free or low-cost clinics, and those in large or medium size cities or counties usually have an STD clinic.  Almost always they are free, or will cost a few dollars at most.  Not only is the cost low, but these clinics usually are the best bet for getting expert STD care; they usually know a lot more about these problems than most practicing docs.  On top of all that, with rare exceptions they are very caring and sensitive about alternative sexual lifestyles.  They truly have "seen it all"!

Look in the government pages of your phone book for "health department", "public health", "department of health", etc.  Do it right away!

Good luck--  HHH, MD

[Lee-Lee]

I would like 2 comment on this person problem-
It seems like you had sex with the wrong person and that person gave it to you and you need to be treated and that person need to be tested and treated as well.

                    Good-Luck