sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)
An essential component of sexual health is the testing for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).
It’s critical to be tested if you think you may have been exposed to an STD or are at risk.
What is an STD?
Sexual contact with an infected person can result in the transmission of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). These are also known as STIs or sexually transmitted illnesses.
In addition to oral and anal sex, STDs can also spread through vaginal contact and other types of sexual activity. However, some STDs can only be contracted through skin-to-skin contact.
Millions of new infections occur annually in the US. Minor symptoms may be all an STD would ever produce. Therefore, it is possible to be sick and not even be aware of it.
There are dozens of STDs. Syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia are a few STDs that are primarily transferred through sexual contact.
Other illnesses including Zika, Ebola, and pox can also be transmitted through intercourse but are more frequently transferred in other ways.
To ensure your sexual health, you should check yourself. Reading Visiting a sexual health clinic will teach you more about the examination procedure at the clinic.
How is STD testing done?
Blood, urine, or swab tests are some of the STI tests available. Your symptoms and the suspected disease by your doctor may influence the test that is chosen.
Chlamydia and gonorrhea testing often just calls for a urine sample, or women, a self-taken swab. Testing for HIV requires a blood sample.
A blood sample is required for the syphilis test, and if you have any sores, you might also have a swab taken.
At the rapidstdtesting center, the tests are completely confidential.
Benefits of STD testing
When it comes to STDs, symptoms are frequently elusive or occasionally nonexistent. Many people’s symptoms could also come and go. Therefore, it’s essential to get.
routine STD testing if you engage in sexual activity, even if you don’t seem to be exhibiting any unsettling symptoms.
Regular STD testing has a variety of advantages, including the following:
When it comes to STDs, symptoms are frequently elusive or occasionally nonexistent. Many people’s symptoms could also come and go.
Because of this, it’s crucial to obtain routine STD testing if you engage in sexual activity, even if you don’t seem to be exhibiting any unsettling symptoms. Regular STD testing has a variety of advantages, including the following:
Starting Required Treatments
Catching STDs early can help lessen both immediate discomforts and the length of the entire treatment procedure. The majority of STDs can be treated or cured.
Unfortunately, the longer you wait, the more probable it is that you may get uncomfortable and might incur higher costs for more extensive treatment needs.
Early detection of any problems will assist in reducing any future inconvenience, both physically and financially.
Increasing Confidence
Every one of us has experienced a situation where a potential health issue loomed large over us.
This might result in excessive worry and anxiety, especially if the health issue has the potential to affect your capacity to enjoy social interactions.
Regular STD testing will increase your sense of security regarding both your health and that of your decreasing your total health-related stress and worry by having a spouse.
reducing the possibility of long-term risks
Another very important benefit of periodic STD testing is the fact that STDs can substantially affect a person’s long-term health.
Untreated STDs can cause more serious side effects like infertility, cancer, or even death.
Regular health checkups will lower your risk of developing long-term health issues and enable you to start treatment plans to lessen the more serious effects that STDs can have on your general health.
What happens when I get tested for STDs?
STD testing is quick, simple, and typically painless. There’s Each STD has a unique test, so there isn’t one test to cover all STDs.
Your doctor can advise you on the appropriate testing. STD testing could consist of:
- You simply urinate into a cup for a urine test.
- A simple oral test involves using a soft swab to rub the inside of your mouth or throat.
- A fast finger prick or blood draw from your arm is used for a blood test.
During a physical, a nurse or doctor will examine your genital region to look for warts, blisters, or rashes. annoyance or discharge.
Your nurse or doctor will use a swab to collect a sample of fluid from any blisters or sores you may have.
A genital swab is used to gently collect cell or discharge samples from your penis, vagina, or anus.
Even if you don’t have any symptoms, you can get tested for the majority of STDs.
You may be examined for several illnesses because some STDs have similar
appearances and behaviors.
If you have an STD, your doctor might be able to detect it straight away.
But it can take a lab a few days or weeks to return the results of some tests. You can get an HIV test result in around 20 minutes at a lot of facilities.
After your STD test, if you don’t hear back from your doctor, don’t assume everything is fine. To be certain of your results, give them a call.
Preparing for an STD test
Recognise that testing is a responsible decision to make for your health and wellbeing as well as the wellbeing of any current or potential sexual partners. Congratulations are in order for your choice.
Everyone, even those with little sexual history, should get tested. Next, keep in mind that the frequency of tests is dependent on a variety of things.Reliable Source.
If you get tested the day after feeling unpleasant about a sexual contact you had the day before, an infection won’t yet be visible.
A healthcare practitioner can help you decide on a screening schedule that is appropriate for you.
The “window period” for catching an illness might start as soon as one week after the encounter or last for several months.
Be as honest as you can about your past or any risk factors if a doctor is performing your test.
Withholding information may cause some tests to be omitted, which may leave STIs undetected.
It’s a good idea to think about any expenses that might apply based on where or how you decide to receive your test. Some tests can be performed for free or at a low cost.
You can even decide to be tested together. You might also think about telling your partners that you are getting tested.
No particular procedures must be followed before to the test, and it is acceptable to be tested when on your period (although this is different if you choose at-home testing).
And lastly, testing may cause unpleasant nerves. It’s very normal to experience test-related anxiety.
The STD test measures which diseases?
Early and fast STD diagnosis raises the chance of reducing the disease’s effects.
Gonorrhea, syphilis, chlamydia, genital herpes, and human papillomavirus are among the STDs.
The papillomavirus (HPV) can cause serious and occasionally lifelong problems if left untreated.
malformations of the bones, cancer, heart problems, and mental illness,,
blindness, and even death are among these side effects.
Medical professionals use physical examinations, blood tests, or swabbed cultures to identify STDs.
STD diagnosis was the main topic of an NIAID-sponsored session.
using self-obtained vaginal swabs. However, many STD-infected individuals show little or no signs of the infection.
The NIAID is conducting research on immunology to learn why many STDs in patients remain asymptomatic.
The mechanisms causing recurrent infections and coinfections (such as syphilis and
HIV/AIDS) as well as how mutations in infections affect STD drug resistance may also be clarified by these studies.
In this section of the article we have guided where you can go and do the test.
What to do if an STD test is positive?
It’s crucial to follow up with your doctor for treatment if you receive a positive result for a STI test.
Additionally, let your recent sexual partners know as some STIs can be passed back and forth.
It’s a good idea to think about how you want to notify your partners, taking safety into account if necessary.
For instance, while having a face-to-face talk may not be a major concern for some partners, it may be dangerous if your partner has a history of verbal or physical abuse.
If you’d prefer, there are also free, anonymous solutions available for exchanging this information with partners:
STD Check; Tell Your Partner; Let Them Know; Health Initiative for Men;
Your personal information is not needed to use these features.
It would be advantageous to have pertinent research and resources on hand if you
decide to have a face-to-face talk instead. In this way, you can address any queries and
talk to your spouse about a variety of topics, such as treatment alternatives, dangers, incubation times, etc.
If you test positive, it’s also acceptable to experience a range of emotions. You can
discuss any worries you may have with your doctor. These feelings are normal.
Costs of sexual health testing (STD or STI)
The rapidstdtesting center has both different test packages and individual tests, which can be different according to the doctor’s diagnosis or your needs.
| RapidSTD Basic Panel | RapidSTD Test Panel | RapidSTD Test Panel Plus |
|---|---|---|
| • HIV-1 Ab, HIV-1 Ag • HIV-2 Ab • Syphilis • Chlamydia • Gonorrhea | • HIV-1 Ab, HIV-1 Ag • HIV-2 Ab • Herpes 1, Herpes 2 • Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C • Syphilis • Chlamydia • Gonorrhea | • HIV-1 Ab, HIV-1 Ag • HIV-2 Ab • Herpes 1, Herpes 2 • Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C • Syphilis • Chlamydia • Gonorrhea • HIV RNA Early Detection |
| $249 | $389 | $529 |
| GET TESTED NOW | GET TESTED NOW | GET TESTED NOW |
Individual Test Pricing
For those who want to test for a single sexually transmitted disease, we offer individual testing. Please select tests from the list below.
| Individual Test | Pricing |
|---|---|
| Chlamydia | $139.00 |
| Chlamydia & Gonorrhea | $189.00 |
| Gonorrhea | $139.00 |
| Hepatitis A | $139.00 |
| Hepatitis B | $139.00 |
| Hepatitis C | $139.00 |
| Syphilis | $139.00 |
| HIV 1 & 2 Antibody (4th Gen) | $139.00 |
| HIV RNA Early Detection | $299.00 |
| Herpes 1 | $139.00 |
| Herpes 2 | $139.00 |
| Herpes 1 & 2 | $189.00 |
| Trichomoniasis | $199.00 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What Happens When You Get Tested for STDs?
It doesn’t have to be uncomfortable to take an HIV or Herpes test. Your doctor will be able to administer the test faster if you are more open with them about your sexual health.
Be honest with your health care provider. In order for them to choose the appropriate test for your illness, describe your symptoms, worries, and other specifics.
Many personal inquiries will be asked of you when you come to our medical facility.
You don’t have to be concerned about errors or incorrect diagnosis because our doctors have outstanding training. Based on your symptoms, we’ll decide which test is necessary.
As soon as you pay and have your test code in your mailbox, you can start taking your test.
The code is necessary for our lab professionals to gather the samples for examination. Mon through Sat are the lab hours of operation.
The test takes 10-15 minutes. Locate the closest clinic, go there with the test code, and wait for our lab staff to collect the samples.
A minimum of once a year, everybody who engages in unprotected intercourse should get tested for STDs.