Testing

1. How do I get tested for STDs?

There are many different tests for each of the different STDs. There is not one test that will screen for all STDs. Some STDs are hard to test for if you do not have any symptoms. Some STDs can be tested through simple blood work or a urine test; some can only be tested for through culturing body fluid from the penis, vagina or open sore on the body. If you go in for testing, it is important to ask your health care provider which tests will be done and which will not. Sometimes weeks or months need to pass to give your body enough time to develop antibodies that will show up in a test.

2. Where do I go to get tested?

Local hospital, Clinic or Private Doctor's office  are all good locations to check out for STD testing.

3. What's the difference between confidential and anonymous testing?

All medical care that you receive should be confidential. This means that the information you discuss with your health care providers must stay in your files at the clinic and not be released to anyone without your permission. Anonymous testing is when your name is not associated with the test or the results in any way. You may be given a number or code word to identify yourself during testing and when receiving results. This is not widely available any longer.