The mission of Collin County STD/HIV Clinic is to provide quality education, screening, counseling and treatment services in order to prevent, control, and eliminate the spread of STDs in the county. To ensure the protection of the public, we continually strive to maintain close communication with clients, health providers, and other agencies to facilitate the exchange of information and strengthen our epidemiologic investigations of cases.
While substantial progress has been made in preventing, diagnosing, and treating certain STDs in recent years, the CDC estimates that 19 million new infections occur each year, almost half of them among young people ages 15 to 24. STD stands for Sexually Transmitted Diseases, which can be caused by bacteria, virus, or other organisms. Bacterial STDs include Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Syphilis, Trichomoniasis, and Bacterial Vaginosis. Viral STDs include Herpes, Genital Warts, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus). Although most people with STD infections do not experience any signs or symptoms of the disease, the following are some possible signs and symptoms:
- Painful or painless sores in vaginal, oral, or anal area.
- Unusual discharge
- Burning during urination
- Pelvic, lower abdominal, or groin pain
- Itching
- Warts on genitals, anus, or urethra
In most cases, bacterial STDs can be treated and cured by simple antibiotics. Viral STDs, however, in most cases can only be treated but not cured. STDs are spread through intimate person-to-person contact such as oral, vaginal, and anal sex. They can also be spread through the sharing of needles. Pregnant women may spread STDs to their babies before giving birth, during birth, or after birth through breast-feeding. STDs have harmful effects on babies and can cause stillbirth, low birth weight, conjunctivitis (eye infection), pneumonia, neonatal sepsis, neurologic damage, and even blindness and deafness. In adults, STDs can cause other complications such as cervical or other cancers, chronic hepatitis, pelvic inflammatory diseases, infertility, or make the infected person more susceptible to acquiring HIV.
The most proven way to stay healthy and prevent STD infection is to practice safe sex, abstinence, use of condoms during all sexual contact, maintaining an exclusive sexual relationship with only one partner, and not sharing needles. It is important to be tested and treated for STDs in a timely manner. If you think you have a STD, get tested. If you know you have a STD, get treated.
Our Services
Diagnostic Services
Our STD/HIV clinic offers quality diagnostic services in compliance with federal and state regulations for the screening and diagnosis of sexually transmitted diseases. We offer testing for the following conditions:
- Gonorrhea
- Chlamydia
- Syphilis
- Bacterial Vaginosis
- Trichomoniasis
- HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus)
- Herpes I and II and Hepatitis A, B, & C Screening
The base price for an STD office visit is $30. This fee covers screening and treatment of certain conditions. Other fees may apply.
HPV, Hepatitis A & B vaccinations are also available for an additional fee through our Immunizations Clinic.
Counseling and Treatment Services
Our clinical staff members are professionals trained in the diagnosis, treatment, counseling, and follow-up of STD cases. We provide counseling and treatment to patients who have been diagnosed with Syphilis, Gonorrhea, Chlamydia, Bacterial Vaginosis, or Trichomoniasis. It is important for patients to work closely with clinic staff to ensure that they understand their condition and are treated appropriately and not get re-infected or exposed to another STD. Clients who test positive for HIV can receive treatment from their private physician or be referred by our clinic to the Dallas County HIV Early Intervention Clinic located at the Dallas County Health and Human Services, or to AIDS Services of North Texas in Plano.
In addition to providing evaluation, treatment, counseling, and referral services to help clients deal with the newly infected STD, our clinic also works closely with the Health Department Epidemiologist. Disease Intervention Services (DIS) will work with patients with the partner notification process. This ensures that possible contacts receive timely testing and treatment of HIV & Syphilis.
Patient Confidentiality
The Collin County STD/HIV clinic understands the importance of patients' rights to privacy and emphasizes maintaining patient confidentiality.
Clinic Locations and Hours of Operation
Collin County STD/HIV clinic is located at:
Collin County Health Care Services
825 N. McDonald St. # 130
McKinney, Texas 75069
Our clinic hours are:
Monday - Thursday, 8 am - 11 am and 1 pm - 2:30 pm
Call 972-548-5526 for appointments only
Please note that patients are seen at the STD/HIV clinic by appointment only. Patients must present a current Photo ID showing a Collin County address. Patients should plan to arrive at least 30 minutes before appointment for new patient paperwork and 15 minutes for returning patients in order to complete registration and consent forms.
Contact Information
Program Coordinator:
Belsy Koruthu RN, WHNP - BC
bkoruthu@collincountytx.gov
972-547-1826 (Fax)
Links & Resources
Center for Disease Control - Department of STD Prevention
National Center for HIV, STD, and TB Prevention (CDC)
Sexually Transmitted Diseases Facts & Information (CDC)
Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) HIV/STD Program
Facts & Answers about STDs (American Social Health Association)
Warts Information Center: STD Resource Center
