STDs are extremely common in the United States as well as worldwide. STDs can also be present without any apparent physical symptoms. This absence of symptoms is the reason why STD testing is so important in order to contain their transmission.
THE BEST WAY TO GET TESTED FOR AN STD
There are many ways to get tested for STDs. Depending on your symptoms your doctor might take blood, urine, or mucus samples to check for the presence of an infection. Specific tests are also available for certain STDs.
There are various tests for different sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). The kind of test a person gets will rely on the type of STD, signs and symptoms (like sores, discharge, or pain), as well as his or her medical and also sex-related history.
To get this history, a physician or nurse practitioner (NP) will certainly inquire about points like the amount of partners the individual has actually had. Afterwards, the physician or NP will certainly check out the person's genital areas. For women that have symptoms of STDs, this could include a pelvic exam. Women who do not have signs and are simply obtaining screened for Sexually transmitted diseases as part of a regular checkup possibly won't require a pelvic examination.
Based on what's gained from the interview as well as exam, the physician or NP may take several of these samples:
- a blood sample (from either a blood draw or a finger prick)
- a urine sample
- a swab within the mouth
- a swab from the genitals, such as the urethra in people or the cervix in ladies
- a swab of any discharge or sores
Sometimes, the sample can be tested right there in the doctor's office. Other times, the sample is sent to a lab and also the results come later on. It depends on the office and the sort of infection medical professionals are examining for.
STIs can be asymptomatic meaning there are no signs or symptoms to report. Commonly there are no indications that a person has one. That's not always an advantage. These "covert" STDs can still put individuals in danger for health problems. Anyone who is sexually active should receive an STI screening regularly to know your status.

It is important to note however that STD testing is not part of the routine testing procedures. You might have to ask your IMG healthcare provider specifically for an STD test if you suspect you have such a disease. Most STDs can be diagnosed in a clinic. Others need specialized equipment in a dedicated lab setting. Below are some of the ways you can get tested for an STI.
1) Primary Health Care Provider
Your doctor’s clinic can screen you for STIs. This testing is not part of the routine procedure and has to be requested specifically. Your doctor may be able to diagnose the disease from samples taken from you right there in the clinic. This early detection of the disease can help your doctor start immediate treatment and subside the infection early in its course.
2) Walk-in Clinics
Walk-in STD clinics are also a great place to get tested for STDs. There are hundreds of walk-in clinics all over the United States. These clinics offer specialized tests for sexually transmitted infections. Moreover, the testing facility at these clinics is free most of the time!
You can easily find a walk-in STD clinic near you online.
3) Planned Parenthood Centers
Planned Parenthood is a national program that offers STD testing. This program has over 700 constituent health centers in the United States. The testing and treatment services are confidential and handled by skilled health care professionals. Depending on your financial needs, these testing and treatment services can be extremely cheap, or even free!
4) At-home testing for STDs
Most STDs can be tested at home. Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, and HIV are some examples. The Planned Parenthood program offers home testing kits for STDs. These kits require the user to take easy samples, such as a swab from inside the mouth or a urine sample and mail it over to the nearest testing facility. The results come back by mail from the testing facility reasonably quickly.
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