How much do your immunizations cost? Chickenpox, to be more specific.

If you are under the age of 18 and have Medicaid or no health insurance, immunizations (including the chickenpox vaccine) are free. These vaccines are provided by a government program called Vaccines for Children. At the Corner there is a cost for every appointment. To learn more about paying for any office visit at the Corner, click here.

Since the vaccines we have at the Corner are given to us by the Vaccines for Children program, we cannot give them to people who are 18 years of age or older or to anyone with a health insurance (other than Medicaid) that pays for immunizations. If this applies to you, you can schedule an immunizations appointment at the Washtenaw County Public Health Department by calling 734.544.6700.

We realize this is confusing! Feel free to contact us to discuss your specific needs. We want to make sure your questions get answered and you get immunized!

Are STD and HIV tests free?

At the Corner, HIV testing is a free service. All you have to do is make an appointment with our HIV test counselor. It is also an anonymous service which means you do not have to provide any information about yourself (even your name!) to take the test and get your results.

STD testing and treatment (if needed) is like any other medical appointment at the Corner. This means there are lots of different ways to pay for the appointment including using health insurance or paying a small amount based on your income. Ultimately, we never turn anyone away if they cannot pay for care. To figure out the cost of any visit, contact us. Oh and don’t forget, STD testing and treatment is a confidential service at the Corner.

To learn more about paying for care, click here.

What types of cancer can you get from smoking?

Did you know that nearly 1 in 5 deaths in the U.S. each year are attributed to cigarette smoking?!? That’s because smoking takes a serious toll on your short and long-term health. Among other health problems, smoking increases your risk of heart disease, stroke and cancer. There are many types of cancer that are caused by smoking cigarettes including bladder, cervical, kidney, voice box, throat, mouth, lung, pancreatic, stomach, and esophageal cancer. Whew—that’s unfortunately a very long list! The good thing is that your chance of getting these cancers is greatly reduced if you do not smoke. If you do smoke, quitting is your best option to live a long and healthy life. Your body immediately starts to get better once you quit, so the sooner you stop smoking the better. Need help quitting? We’ve got a team to help you. Learn more about our smoking cessation services here >>

For more information on the health effects of cigarette smoking, visit:

• Teens Health: Smoking
• CDC: Health Effects of Cigarette Smoking

Is there any way to get STDs from giving a blow job?

Yes. Although the transmission of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) during oral sex is lower than transmission through vaginal or anal sex, there are many STDs that can be passed during oral sex. For example, herpes, gonorrhea and syphilis are easily and often transmitted during oral sex. Although less common, Chlamydia, hepatitis A, hepatitis C and HIV can be passed during oral sex, too.

So what does this mean? Basically, if you are choosing to have oral sex with your partner (either male or female), you need to take steps to reduce your risk of contracting an STD. Using a barrier method (like condoms and dental dams) every time you have oral sex will help to protect you and your partner. It is also a good idea for you and your partner to regularly get tested for STDs. It's important that you are in control of your sexual behavior, so if you do not want to have oral sex (or any other kind of sex for that matter) you do not have to. Abstaining from sex is always an option and can be done even if you are no longer a virgin.

If you are sexually active (meaning you have had either vaginal, anal or oral sex) make an appointment to get tested. Often you cannot tell if you or your partner has an STD, so testing is the only way to know. STDs can cause serious health problems if left untreated, and we want you to be healthy. Like super, awesome, mountain-climbing, dancing-all-day, healthy.

Want more info? Check out these resources!

• http://sexetc.org/
• http://kidshealth.org/teen/sexual_health/

My period has been off for the last four months. Then one day I experienced abnormal bloody discharge. Could I have had a miscarriage?

It can be scary when your body does things it normally does not do, especially vaginal bleeding! It's difficult to pinpoint the cause of your irregular bleeding without knowing more specific information. It's important to schedule an appointment with a health care provider to help uncover the facts, especially if you are still having vaginal bleeding. Feel free to call us or schedule an appointment online for a day and time that works for you!

I need to lose weight fairly quickly because I am in a wedding and need to fit into my dress. I’m already working out and eat right but am thinking about trying these pills called the green coffee extract. Are they safe to take?

It’s great that you have been trying to eat healthy foods and exercise. That is the BEST way to achieve and maintain a healthy weight.

Unfortunately, dropping weight quickly isn’t a healthy way to go.  Fad diets like green coffee extract can work for a little while but can’t be sustained and can be unhealthy to follow. For a wedding you want to look healthy.  Quick weight loss diets can leave you looking and feeling unwell.

The safest way to acheive a healthy weight is to control calories in vs calories out. That means eating less and exercising more. It definitely helps to have support when trying to make changes to your diet and fitness routine. At the Corner we have a health educator who will help you meet your health goals. You will even receive a $20 gift card to Meijer when you set your weight management plan in motion. To schedule an appointment with our health educator, click here >>

I have been gaining weight ever since I’ve been on the Depo shot. Is there a way to take a lower dose of Depo?

For some women hormonal birth control options, like the Depo shot, can cause the body to retain water and increase appetite. Women who experience these side effects can maintain a healthy weight by eating a well-balanced diet and exercising for at least 30 minutes 3-5 days each week.

There is a lower dose option of the Depo shot. It is given subcutaneously (under the skin) and delivers the same dose to the system as the regular Depo shot. A common side effect of the low does Depo is breakthrough bleeding. (Just FYI, we do not carry the lower dose Depo shot at the Corner.)

We suggest you make an appointment with a health care provider to discuss different birth control options and get support to maintain a healthy weight. At the Corner, we have a health educator who can help you meet your lifestyle goals. You will even get a $20 gift card when you meet with her! To make an appointment at the Corner, click here>> 

I have something white inside my vagina and inside my lips I think I see pink bumps. I googled it and I think it's genital warts. Is their anything I can do to make it go away on my own at home?

It is often a very scary moment when you discover something on yourself that was not there before. There are many possibilities of what your symptoms may be, and often "googling" can leave you with a worst case scenario. Your best bet is to schedule an appointment with one of the doctors here at the Corner to help uncover what your new symptoms may be and make a plan of how to help you feel better. And just so you know, STI testing and treatment is a confidential service at the Corner. Please do not hesitate to come and see us!

I recently found out that my boyfriend has Chlamydia. We have been sexually active, but we have ALWAYS used a condom. Is there any way that it could have been passed on to me? Could I get it just from touching his genitals and then touching my private parts?

Good question! Chlamydia is a bacterial infection that is transmitted through semen or vaginal secretions. A person with Chlamydia can pass it to his/her partner during vaginal, anal or oral sex. It is NOT transmitted through skin-to-skin contact.

Not having sex, or being abstinent, is the only way to completely protect yourself from contracting a sexually transmitted infection (STI). That said, it’s awesome that you use condoms with every sex act because that helps to protect you from Chlamydia and many other STIs.

Since your boyfriend has tested positive for Chlamydia it is possible that you have contracted it, too. Bottom line--both of you need to get treated. Untreated Chlamydia can lead to serious health problems (especially in women) and over 50% of people who have Chlamydia do not have any symptoms. The good news is, Chlamydia is easily cured with antibiotics. You and your boyfriend just need to wait to have sex again until you both have completed your treatment (usually about seven days).

To make an appointment at the Corner, click here.

For more tips on how to talk to your partner about STIs, click here.

How much does STI testing & treatment cost?

The cost of any visit to the Corner depends on your health insurance status and/or income.

Generally, an appointment for STI testing ranges from $5 - $12, and an appointment with our HIV test counslor is free. To figure out the cost for your care, contact us to schedule an appointment. Our receptionist will explain what you should expect to pay and tell you what information you should bring to the visit--like insurance cards or proof of income.

Remember: we will not turn you away if you are unable to pay. We want to make sure you get the care you need regardless of your health insurance status or ability to pay for care.

For more information on paying for care at the Corner, click here.

For more information on STI Testing and Treatment, click here.