Sharing needles puts you at risk for HIV. Regular HIV testing is recommended for this group. What happens during an STD test? Depending on the type of suspected infection, you may get one of the following types of tests: Blood tests Used to diagnose syphilis, HIV, and sometimes herpes During the test, a health care professional will take a blood sample from a vein in your arm, using a small needle.
After the needle is inserted, a small amount of blood will be collected into a test tube or vial Urine tests Used to diagnose trichomoniasis and sometimes gonorrhea During the test, you will provide a sterile sample of urine in a cup as instructed by your provider Swab tests Used to diagnose HPV , chlamydia, gonorrhea, and herpes During the test, a provider will use a special swab to take a sample from the site of the infection.
In women, samples may be taken from the vagina or cervix. In men, samples may be taken from the penis or urethra, the tube that carries urine out of the body. Lumbar puncture, also known as a spinal tap This is not a frequently used STD test, but it may be ordered if your provider thinks you have an advanced stage of syphilis or if a herpes infection has affected your brain or spinal cord.
For this test, a provider will inject an anesthetic into your back, so you won't feel any pain during the procedure. Once the area is numb, the provider will insert a thin, hollow needle between two vertebrae in your lower spine.
Vertebrae are the small bones that make up your spine. Your provider will then withdraw a small amount of fluid for testing. These tests usually involve using a device lancet to prick your finger for a drop of blood, collecting a urine sample, or taking an oral swab. Will I need to do anything to prepare for the test? You may need to empty your bladder before a lumbar puncture.
Your provider will let you know if you need to make any other preparations. Are there any risks to the test? There are no known risks to having urine or swab tests.
What do the results mean? Is there anything else I need to know about STD tests? If you are sexually active, you can reduce your risk of infection by: Being in a long-term relationship with one partner who has tested negative for STDs Using latex condoms correctly every time you have sex. If you or your partner is allergic to latex , you can use polyurethane condoms. Atlanta: U. Cleveland OH : Cleveland Clinic; c Washington D. Chlamydia Testing; [updated May 7; cited Jun 10]; [about 2 screens].
Herpes Testing; [updated May 4; cited Jun 10]; [about 2 screens]. Syphilis Tests; [updated May 21; cited Jun 10]; [about 2 screens]. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; c— Chlamydia trachomatis: Diagnosis and treatment; Feb 20 [cited Jun 10]; [about 4 screens].
Many urgent care centers can offer discreet, immediate diagnosis and treatment for individuals who do not want to go to their primary care provider. However, some of these centers do not have lab or diagnostic testing capacities.
Urgent care doctors will also provide the appropriate medications. However, if the STI has progressed beyond what prescription medication can treat, it may be necessary for individuals to follow up with their health providers. Most insurance companies cover urgent care visits, but most often, individuals need to pay a deductible. However, a person should know which STIs they are checking for before buying.
Some grocery and pharmacy chains also have low-cost health clinics that may also provide STI testing. However, unlike at-home tests, these kits may only test for a limited range of STIs. Some providers, such as QuestDiagnostics , allow people to choose whether to buy at-home test kits or to schedule an appointment online and perform a test in person in one of their labs.
Other providers, such as Everlywell and LetsGetChecked , allow a person to choose a specific test from a range of tests available on their website. Most insurance providers do not cover at-home test kits. However, most accept flexible savings account FSA and or payments. Samples from at-home tests undergo the same analysis as lab tests and are just as accurate.
However, it is important to carefully follow the instructions for how to collect and store the samples. Read more about at-home STI tests here. Planned Parenthood health centers also offer STI testing. They receive government reimbursements and grants from public programs, such as Medicaid and Title X, which means people can get STI testing and treatment for free or at a very low cost, depending on their income, demographics, and eligibility.
Mobile reproductive health centers can also offer community-based STI screenings and other reproductive health services to migrants, people from low-income households, people who do not have insurance, people from marginalized groups, people living in rural areas, and others.
This Mobile Health map provides a list of participating mobile health clinics throughout the U. Most STI tests only require a urine, blood, or swab sample and do not typically require the assistance of a health professional. However, a healthcare professional will need to carry out a Pap smear , which checks for human papillomavirus HPV , to ensure the safety and accuracy of the test. If a person is experiencing symptoms, such as warts, sores, or lesions, it is advisable to talk with a doctor.
Typically, STI tests require either a urine, blood, or swab sample from the mouth, genitals, or anus. Some STI tests require a combination of samples. Except for rapid HIV tests , which can show results in about 20 minutes, most other STI test results take between 2 days to 1 week. Yes, urgent care does STI tests and can also provide appropriate antibiotic and antiviral medications.
There are many STI testing options available that allow people to test themselves routinely. In addition to regular testing, it is important to use condoms or other barrier birth control methods during sex to prevent transmitting and contracting an STI.
Learn more about male and female condoms here. A range of at-home gonorrhea testing kits is available. Testing for STIs is free and confidential.
Testing may be performed on a urine sample or swab to detect chlamydia, gonorrhoea, trichomonas or herpes, depending on the site of infection. Blood tests are available which detect antibodies to HIV and syphilis. Due to the wide spectrum of STIs, there is no one test to detect them all. There are more than 20 known STIs and some will cause symptoms that you should see your doctor about immediately.
Below are the most common STIs:. Only around one in four people with the infection show symptoms of stinging when passing urine and discharge. A painless sore or blister will disappear on its own, but it can be passed to others for up to eighteen months after this time. Some STIs can be treated with antibiotics, such as gonorrhoea, chlamydia and syphilis.
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