My Doctor Online The Permanente Medical Group
Are you having back pain with any of the following?
- Severe pain, weakness or tingling in your leg(s).
- Difficulty stopping urination or loss of control of bladder or bowels.
- Unexplained fever, nausea or vomiting.
- A history of cancer or unexplained weight loss.
We understand that you are experiencing one or more of the health issues that might be impacting your back pain.
We recommend that you discuss these health issues with your doctor before proceeding with this program.
Once you are cleared by your doctor to do this program, we hope it helps you find relief from your back pain.
Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)
It's important to understand that when you become sexually active, you can be at risk of getting a sexually transmitted disease (STD). Some STDs are easily treated with no long-term effects, while others can be carried for life or cause serious or life-threatening diseases.
Chlamydia [Read/Print full article]
Overview
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Chlamydia is a bacterial infection spread through sexual contact. This disease infects the urethra in men. In women, it infects the urethra and the cervix and can spread to other reproductive organs. It is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).
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It is important to understand that when you become sexually active, you can be at risk of getting an STD. This is true for all forms of sexual activity such as oral, vaginal, or anal intercourse.
Sexually transmitted diseases are caused by different bacteria or viruses that are passed between partners during sexual activity. Some STDs are easily treated with no long-term effects, while others can be carried for life or cause serious or life-threatening diseases.
Except for not having sex (abstinence), there is no sure way to avoid contracting an STD. You can reduce your risk of getting STDs by:
- Limiting the number of your sex partners
- Practicing safer sex
- Using condoms correctly and consistently
If you are sexually active and younger than 25, we recommend you come in once a year to be screened for STDs.
Symptoms and Diagnosis
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Most people with chlamydia do not have any symptoms, so you might have this infection and not know it. If this is the case for you, you can still spread the infection to others. If you do have symptoms, they usually start 1 to 3 weeks after you have sexual contact with someone infected with chlamydia. You might have no symptoms, or your symptoms might include:
- Pain with urination
- Abnormal discharge from the vagina or penis
- Irregular vaginal bleeding, spotting, or pelvic pain (for women)
Contact us if you are experiencing these symptoms or if you are concerned. If you come in for an appointment, we may:
- Review your medical history and risk factors.
- Do a pelvic exam.
- Test your cervical or penile discharge for chlamydia.
- Take a urine sample to check for chlamydia.
Causes and Prevention
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Chlamydia is a bacterial infection that can spread through sexual contact. Like many other STDs, it is spread through vaginal, anal, or oral sex.
You can prevent chlamydia infection by avoiding contact with an infected or high-risk partner and using latex condoms.
Talk with your partner
Talk openly and honestly with your partner about your risk for STDs and the importance of safer sex. Remember that a person can be infected with STDs without knowing it. Be clear about what you will and will not do sexually, and respect what your partner will and will not do. Decide together what is right for both of you.
Protect Yourself With Condoms
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The only certain way to prevent getting an STD is to abstain from sex. If you do choose to have sex, using condoms correctly and consistently is the best way you can protect yourself.
- Condoms can protect you from pregnancy and many STDs, even HIV.
- Most drugstores and supermarkets carry condoms.
- Condoms must be used before the start of any sexual contact to be effective in preventing pregnancy and STDs.
Find Help if Your Partner Has Ever Hurt or Threatened You
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Unfortunately, abusive relationships are common. Abuse can include pressuring or forcing you to have sex, or refusing to use a condom to protect against pregnancy or STDs. If you think you are being abused, you can get help by talking to us or you can:
- Contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline, 1-800-799-7233 or 1-800-787-3224 for hearing/speech impaired.
- Visit the National Sexual Assault Hotline or call 1-800-656-4673.
Additional References:
- PDF Link to You Deserve a Safety Zone
- PDF Link to Everyone Deserves a Safe Relationship
Risk Factors
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If you have chlamydia, it is important to be treated. Remember, most people with chlamydia do not have symptoms, so you might not know that you are infected. The good news is that once it is diagnosed, chlamydia is usually easy to cure.
If you do not get treated, chlamydia can cause fertility problems in both men and women. Having chlamydia makes a person more likely to get HIV if he or she has sexual contact with an HIV-positive person. You can also give chlamydia to others if you are infected. If you are an infected woman who is not treated:
- The infection could spread to your uterus and pelvic area.
- You could get pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). PID can lead to infertility (difficulty getting pregnant), severe pelvic pain, and dangerous ectopic pregnancies.
Chlamydia and Pregnancy
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If you are a pregnant woman and you have chlamydia, there could be serious consequences for both you and your baby.
- You can pass the bacteria to your baby during birth.
- This could cause an infection in your baby's eyes or lungs, resulting in blindness or pneumonia. We can treat some infections with antibiotics, but it is better if a mother is treated before she gives birth.
- Mothers with chlamydia have an increased risk of uterine infection after they give birth.
It is important to be tested for chlamydia during your pregnancy. We can successfully treat your infection even if you are already pregnant.
Treatments
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Chlamydia can be treated and cured with several different antibiotics. If you are given pills, it is very important to take all of them. If you do not take all the pills, you may still have the infection even if your symptoms are gone.
- Tell your sexual partner if you find out you have chlamydia. It is very important that both you and your partner get treated right away.
- Do not have sex until both you and your sexual partner have finished treatment. You can be re-infected with chlamydia if your partner has not been treated or has not finished being treated.
Your Care with Me
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If you are worried about being exposed to a sexually transmitted disease (STD) like chlamydia and:
- You are experiencing symptoms like pain, itching, bleeding, or unusual vaginal discharge, I recommend you make an appointment to see me. We can decide how best to treat your symptoms and discuss ways to protect you from STDs in the future.
- You do not have any symptoms but are still concerned, please e-mail me or call the Appointment and Advice line to request a test. Once we order those tests, you can have blood and urine testing for STDs at our lab without having to come in for a full appointment.
It is important to be tested for STDs, even if you do not think you are at risk.
- If you are under 25 years old, I recommend you be tested for STDs every year.
- Everyone should be tested for HIV at least once in a lifetime. Even if you think you are not at risk, it is important to be sure.
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Contacting Me
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You can connect with me in a variety of ways, depending on the situation and what is most convenient for you at the time. I am available online, by telephone, or in person.
- For nonurgent questions or concerns, you can e-mail me using this site. You can also book an appointment online to see me in person.
- If your concerns are immediate, or you simply prefer to use the telephone, please call our Appointment and Advice line, which is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Our advice nurses can give you immediate advice, and our telephone staff can send me a message or book an appointment for you.
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How We Coordinate Your Care
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Having all of our Kaiser Permanente departments located together or nearby, including pharmacy, laboratory, radiology, and health education, makes getting your care easier for you.
Another major benefit is our comprehensive electronic medical record system, which allows all of the doctors and clinicians involved in your care to stay current on your health status and to collaborate with each other as appropriate.
When every member of the health care team is aware of all aspects of your condition, care is safer and more effective.
If you come to an office visit
- At the beginning of your visit, you will receive information about when you are due for your next test, screening, or immunization. We can discuss and schedule any preventive tests that you need.
- At the end of your visit, you may receive a document called the “After Visit Summary” that will summarize the issues we discussed during your visit. You can refer to it if you forget what we discussed, or if you just want to recheck your vital signs and weight. You can also view it online under Past Visits.
- To help you prepare for your visit, please see additional details under Office Visit.
If I prescribe medications
We will work together to monitor and assess how your medications are working and make adjustments as needed. Prescriptions can be filled at any Kaiser Permanente pharmacy. Just let me know which pharmacy works best for you, and I will send the prescription electronically in advance of your arrival at the pharmacy.
If refills are needed in the future, you can:
- Order them online or by phone. Order future refills from my home page or by phone using the pharmacy refill number on your prescription label.
- Have them delivered to you by mail at no extra cost. Or you can pick up your medications at the pharmacy. If no refills remain when you place your order, the pharmacy will contact me regarding your prescription.
If lab testing or imaging is needed
For lab tests, I will use our electronic medical record system to send the requisition to the Kaiser Permanente laboratory of your choice. For imaging procedures, we will schedule an appointment with the radiology department. When the results are ready, I will contact you with your results by letter, secure e-mail message, or phone. In addition, you can view most of your laboratory results online, along with any comments that I have attached to explain them.
If I refer you to a specialist
My specialty colleagues are readily available to assist me if I need additional advice about your condition. In some cases, I may contact them during your visit, so we can discuss your care together. If we decide you need a specialty appointment after that discussion, we can often schedule it the same day or soon thereafter.
If you are due for preventive screenings or tests
As part of our commitment to prevention, additional members of our health care team may contact you to come in for a visit or test. We will contact you if you are overdue for cancer screenings or conditions which may require monitoring.
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Convenient Resources for You
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As your personal physician, I have a goal to provide high-quality care and to offer you choices that make your health care convenient. I recommend that you become familiar with the many resources we offer so that you can choose the services that work best for you.
My Doctor Online is available 24/7 so that you can access and manage your care where and when it is most convenient. From my home page you can:
Manage your care securely
- View and compose secure e-mail messages.
- Manage your prescriptions and schedule appointments.
- View your past visits and test results.
- View your Preventive Services to see whether you are due for a routine screening or updated immunization.
Learn more about your condition
- Read about causes, symptoms, treatments, and procedures.
- Find interactive health tools, videos, and podcasts to help you manage your condition.
- View programs to help you decide on or prepare for a surgery or procedure.
Stay healthy
- Locate health education classes and support groups offered at our medical center.
- Explore interactive programs, videos, and podcasts that focus on helping you stay healthy.
- View your Preventive Services to see whether you are due for a routine screening or updated immunization.
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If you have an emergency medical condition, call 911 or go to the nearest hospital. An emergency medical condition is any of the following: (1) a medical condition that manifests itself by acute symptoms of sufficient severity (including severe pain) such that you could reasonably expect the absence of immediate medical attention to result in serious jeopardy to your health or body functions or organs; (2) active labor when there isn't enough time for safe transfer to a Plan hospital (or designated hospital) before delivery, or if transfer poses a threat to your (or your unborn child's) health and safety, or (3) a mental disorder that manifests itself by acute symptoms of sufficient severity such that either you are an immediate danger to yourself or others, or you are not immediately able to provide for, or use, food, shelter, or clothing, due to the mental disorder.
This information is not intended to diagnose health problems or to take the place of specific medical advice or care you receive from your physician or other health care professional. If you have persistent health problems, or if you have additional questions, please consult with your doctor. If you have questions or need more information about your medication, please speak to your pharmacist. Kaiser Permanente does not endorse the medications or products mentioned. Any trade names listed are for easy identification only.