Frequently Asked Questions

If you have any symptoms associated with STDs or if you have any symptoms affecting the genital area, talking to your doctor about STDs is a good idea. Your doctor can evaluate your symptoms and recommend which tests should be done, if any are necessary. Not all STDs cause symptoms to occur, so if you have put yourself at risk for STDs, such as unprotected sex or multiple sexual partners, you may consider being tested to ensure that you are healthy, even if no symptoms are present.

Your healthcare provider can perform any necessary STD test if you request one. If you are having symptoms, you should request a test as soon as possible because getting treatment in a timely manner will reduce the risk of complications. If you have had unprotected sex and you are unsure if you were exposed to STDs, you can also request a test. The option is always up to you if you want to be tested for these types of diseases.

It is important to note that STD testing is not done as a routine part of an annual physical examination. However, you can easily request that you be tested for these diseases during your examination. Since a physical examination already includes blood testing, urine testing and visual inspection, adding STD testing will not take more than a few extra minutes. When you add this testing to your annual physical you can also have it covered under your insurance. Your doctor can help you to determine which STD tests should be done during your physical so make sure to be open and honest about your lifestyle and if you are noticing any odd symptoms.

Any health or medical clinic will perform STD testing. Our clinic can perform all types of STD testing and ensure that you receive your results in a timely manner. We provide testing with the strictest confidentiality as afforded by the law. You can be confident that our testing is as accurate as testing can be, but keep in mind that no STD test is 100 percent accurate. If you receive a result that you do not believe is accurate we can retest you. While it is highly unusual, false-negative results and false-positive results can occur. We can provide the counseling and information that you need to fully understand these types of diseases and how to go about treating them if you do have a positive test result.

Each STD is tested for separately so you need to talk to your doctor to see which ones are a good idea for you to have. You and your doctor will sit down and discuss your lifestyle and if you are having any symptoms. Questions may be asked about the following:

• Your sexual practices, such as number of partners, your use of contraceptives, types of sexual activity and frequency of sexual activity.
• If you are having any symptoms your doctor will ask you to describe them.
• Whether or not you have ever had any past STDs.
• Whether your sexual partner, or partners, have a history of STDs.
• If you have any drug allergies.
• Women will be asked if they could be pregnant and when their last menstrual period was.

The type of STD test you need to have will vary depending on the suspected disease. Some infections only have one method of testing, but others can be tested using multiple methods.

A physical examination is usually done to visually inspect the genitals and anus to look for signs like discharge, warts, rash or sores. With women, a pelvic examination may also be done because this will also allow the doctor to inspect the cervix for signs of infection or worsening of a disease.

Blood testing is common for the majority of STDs, including to test for HIV. This involves getting a small sample of blood by inserting a needle into a vein.

Urine testing can be done to test for certain STDs. You will need to provide a urine sample in a plastic cup.

Swabbing of lesions, the genitals and the anus can be done to get tissue, cell and discharge samples. If an STD is suspected to have infected the mouth a saliva sample may be obtained. This involves using a cotton swab and rubbing it over the area being tested.

In most cases, you will not have to have your parent’s permission to be tested for STDs. However, it is encouraged that you talk to your parents if you do have a positive result because this is a matter of your health. To learn more about whether or not a parent’s permission is required, call the clinic and speak to a staff member.