- Many people believe that they will be tested for STDs during a routine exam or gynecological exam; this is not true. If you want to be tested for STDs you will have to request it. You may also want to ask for tests ahead of time when you make your appointment, to be sure the clinic you are visiting does STD testing. If you are concerned about how you will pay for your test, ask the clinic what options are available; you may be able to pay little or nothing for your visit.
- A urine sample can be used to test for chlamydia and gonorrhea, and rarely HIV. A blood sample can be tested for HIV, hepatitis, herpes or syphilis. It may take a few days to get your test results, but HIV rapid results can be given in 20 minutes.
- Some infections can be diagnosed by a doctor examining you and seeing an outbreak. Examples include: genital herpes, which causes sores; some strains of HPV , which cause genital warts; and pubic lice and scabies, which are caused by tiny parasites that a doctor may detect.
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The HIV oral test is done on a sample of cells from the inside of the mouth. The tester is rubbed on the inside of the mouth to get the cells. Chlamydia and gonorrhea tests can be done on discharge from the vagina, urethra or anus, or on cells from the cervix, vagina, penis or anus. For these tests, a cotton swab is rubbed on the area to get a sample.
For some women a swab of the cervix can be used to test for high-risk HPV (the kind that causes cervical cancer). If syphilis causes sores, the fluid can be tested. Discharge from the vagina or urethra can be tested for trichomoniasis. A scraping of the skin may be used to test for scabies. - The surest way to prevent getting an STD is to abstain from sexual activity. If you are sexually active, you can reduce your risk for infection by reducing your number of partners and using latex or polyurethane condoms and barriers (like dental dams) with each sex act.
