How do drs test for stds

Often there are no signs that a person has one. That's not necessarily a good thing. These "hidden" STDs can still put people at risk for health problems. Anyone who is having sex or has had sex in the past should get tested. 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. They are a reliable and effective method for diagnosing gonorrhea. But a negative test doesn't rule out herpes as a cause for genital ulcerations. A blood test also may help detect a past herpes infection, but results aren't always definite. Some blood tests can help differentiate between the two main types of the herpes virus.

Type 1 is the virus that more typically causes cold sores, although it can also cause genital sores. Type 2 is the virus that causes genital sores more often. Still, the results may not be totally clear, depending on the sensitivity of the test and the stage of the infection. False-positive and false-negative results are possible.

Certain types of human papillomavirus HPV can cause cervical cancer while other varieties of HPV can cause genital warts. Many sexually active people become infected with HPV at some point in their lives, but never develop symptoms. The virus typically disappears within two years. There's no routinely used HPV screening test for men, in whom the infection is diagnosed by visual inspection or biopsy of genital warts.

In women, HPV testing involves:. HPV has also been linked to cancer of the vulva, vagina, penis, anus, and mouth and throat. Vaccines can protect both men and women from some types of HPV , but they are most effective when administered before sexual activity begins. At-home test kits for certain STIs , such as HIV , chlamydia and gonorrhea, have been gaining acceptance and popularity.

For home STI testing, you collect a urine sample or an oral or genital swab and then send it to a lab for analysis. Some tests require more than one sample. The benefit of home testing is that you're able to collect the sample in the privacy of your home without the need for a pelvic exam or office visit. However, tests done on samples you collect yourself may have a higher rate of false-positive results, meaning that the test indicates you have an STI that you really don't have.

If you test positive from a home test, contact your doctor or a public health clinic to confirm the test results. If your home test results are negative, but you're experiencing symptoms, contact your doctor or a public health clinic to confirm the results. If you test positive for an STI , the next step is to consider further testing and then get treatment as recommended by your doctor. In addition, inform your sex partners. Your partners need to be evaluated and treated, because you can pass some infections back and forth.

Expect to feel many emotions. You may feel ashamed, angry or afraid. See some examples and descriptions. Some of the most common causes of genital rashes are infections and autoimmune disorders.

This includes such conditions as jock itch and psoriasis…. Practicing safe sex is crucial to the prevention of sexually transmitted infections. Learn more. Talking about sex can be awkward. But it's also a key adult skill. We asked sex and relationship experts for the best ways to talk about sex. As featured on Good Morning America, we examine expert opinions and survey data in a comprehensive overview of the current fertility landscape in Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Who should be tested for STIs?

What STIs should you be tested for? Where can you be tested for STIs? How are STI tests performed? Frequently asked questions about STI testing. Genital Herpes. Read this next. Medically reviewed by Fernando Mariz, MD.