Testing & Diagnosis
How do doctors test for different STDs? What do you need to know before going to a clinic? Is anonymous testing better than confidential?
Warning: Photos May Offend Some Viewers
Warning: Photos May Offend Some Viewers
What Does it Mean When My Test Results Are Inconsistent?
No diagnostic test is perfect. Although most modern STD tests are very good, no test is going to be 100% accurate 100% of the time. So what do you do if you get two different results of your STD tests?
No diagnostic test is perfect. Although most modern STD tests are very good, no test is going to be 100% accurate 100% of the time. So what do you do if you get two different results of your STD tests?
Screening Guidelines for Sexually Transmitted Disease
Even doctors who test their patients regularly, don't necessarily test for all common STDs. There are good reasons not to test for genital herpes and HPV in individuals who don't have symptoms, but it may give some people a false sense of security. Therefore it is important to know exactly what diseases you have and haven't been tested for. What should you be tested for and how often? To some extent it depends on your individual risk factors, but some general guidelines are below.
Even doctors who test their patients regularly, don't necessarily test for all common STDs. There are good reasons not to test for genital herpes and HPV in individuals who don't have symptoms, but it may give some people a false sense of security. Therefore it is important to know exactly what diseases you have and haven't been tested for. What should you be tested for and how often? To some extent it depends on your individual risk factors, but some general guidelines are below.
The Incubation Period of Common STDs
You've just had unprotected sex with a new partner, and all of a sudden a strange mark has appeared in your pubic area. Although many sexually transmitted diseases can remain asymptomatic for years, it's good to have a few guidelines for when you're just being paranoid. If the sheets haven't even cooled down yet, that pimple is almost certainly not a new STD. Next time, practice safer sex. It will drastically reduce your stress levels.
You've just had unprotected sex with a new partner, and all of a sudden a strange mark has appeared in your pubic area. Although many sexually transmitted diseases can remain asymptomatic for years, it's good to have a few guidelines for when you're just being paranoid. If the sheets haven't even cooled down yet, that pimple is almost certainly not a new STD. Next time, practice safer sex. It will drastically reduce your stress levels.
Getting Tested for an STD
How do doctors test for various STDs? What should you know before going to the doctor?
How do doctors test for various STDs? What should you know before going to the doctor?
Universal HIV Testing
The CDC recommends that HIV testing be offered to everyone as part of their routine healthcare. Hopefully this will increase the number of people receiving proper care and treatment, and reduce the number of new infections.
The CDC recommends that HIV testing be offered to everyone as part of their routine healthcare. Hopefully this will increase the number of people receiving proper care and treatment, and reduce the number of new infections.
The Anal Pap Smear : Who, When, & Why
The anal pap smear is one way in which anal cancer can be detected. Anal cancer is one of the major possible effects of HPV infection in men.
The anal pap smear is one way in which anal cancer can be detected. Anal cancer is one of the major possible effects of HPV infection in men.
Should I get a Pap smear or an HPV test?
Cervical cancer screening guidelines are shifting, due to the availability of HPV testing and the vaccine that may one day make it useless
Cervical cancer screening guidelines are shifting, due to the availability of HPV testing and the vaccine that may one day make it useless
Everything You Need To Know About HIV Testing
The process of HIV testing can be extremely confusing, since there's so much that you need to know. When can, and should, you get tested? How do the tests work? Is there a difference between anonymous and confidential testing? Where can you find free HIV tests in your area?
The process of HIV testing can be extremely confusing, since there's so much that you need to know. When can, and should, you get tested? How do the tests work? Is there a difference between anonymous and confidential testing? Where can you find free HIV tests in your area?
How Do I Get Tested For Bacterial Vaginosis/BV?
There are several ways that your doctor may test you for bacterial vaginosis...
There are several ways that your doctor may test you for bacterial vaginosis...
How Do I Get Tested For Chancroid?
How Do I Get Tested For Chancroid?
How Do I Get Tested For Chancroid?
How Do I Get Tested For Chlamydia?
Testing for chlamydia may be done differently for men than it is for women.
Warning: Photos May Offend Some Viewers
Testing for chlamydia may be done differently for men than it is for women.
Warning: Photos May Offend Some Viewers
Chlamydia: Diagnosis & Treatment
Chlamydia is the most common sexually transmitted disease. Here is more information about its diagnosis and treatment.
Warning: Photos May Offend Some Viewers
Chlamydia is the most common sexually transmitted disease. Here is more information about its diagnosis and treatment.
Warning: Photos May Offend Some Viewers
How Do I Get Tested For Gonorrhea?
Gonorrhea testing usually starts with a swab...
Warning: Photos May Offend Some Viewers
Gonorrhea testing usually starts with a swab...
Warning: Photos May Offend Some Viewers
How Do I Get Tested For Hepatitis B/HBV?
Some simple blood tests will let your doctor find out if you are infected with Hepatitis B... or if you're safe from infection.
Some simple blood tests will let your doctor find out if you are infected with Hepatitis B... or if you're safe from infection.
How Do I Get Tested For Herpes?
It's not always easy to find out whether or not you're infected with herpes.
Warning: Photos May Offend Some Viewers
It's not always easy to find out whether or not you're infected with herpes.
Warning: Photos May Offend Some Viewers
How Do I Get Tested For HIV/AIDS?
It can be difficult to understand how HIV testing works.
It can be difficult to understand how HIV testing works.
How does the doctor test my blood or saliva for HIV?
The different types of HIV test can be very confusing. Here we explain what EIA, ELISA, and Western Blot tests are, and why they are used in combination.
The different types of HIV test can be very confusing. Here we explain what EIA, ELISA, and Western Blot tests are, and why they are used in combination.
What Is The Difference Between Anonymous and Confidential HIV Testing?
What Is The Difference Between Anonymous and Confidential Testing? What is the best way to both find out about your HIV status and protect yourself?
What Is The Difference Between Anonymous and Confidential Testing? What is the best way to both find out about your HIV status and protect yourself?
How Do I Get Tested For Human Papilloma Virus/HPV?
Only in recent years have doctors been able to test women for HPV. There's still no good way to test men.
Only in recent years have doctors been able to test women for HPV. There's still no good way to test men.
How Do I Get Tested for Mycoplasma Genitalium?
Mycoplasma genitalium is the most common cause of non-gonococcal urethritis in men and is often associated with bacterial vaginosis and cervicitis in women. It can only be detected via a urine test that looks for bacterial DNA.
Mycoplasma genitalium is the most common cause of non-gonococcal urethritis in men and is often associated with bacterial vaginosis and cervicitis in women. It can only be detected via a urine test that looks for bacterial DNA.
How Do I Get Tested For Non-Gonoccocal Urethritis/NGU?
You're not tested for non-gonoccocal urethritis. You're tested for all the things that could cause it.
You're not tested for non-gonoccocal urethritis. You're tested for all the things that could cause it.
How Do I Get Tested For Pubic Lice?
Checking your pubic hair for bugs isn't fun, but it will tell you if you have pubic lice.
Checking your pubic hair for bugs isn't fun, but it will tell you if you have pubic lice.
How Do I Get Tested For Scabies?
There are several ways that your doctor can determine if your rash is caused by scabies.
There are several ways that your doctor can determine if your rash is caused by scabies.
How Do I Get Tested For Syphilis?
It is easiest for a doctor to diagnose syphilis when a sore is visible on your skin.
It is easiest for a doctor to diagnose syphilis when a sore is visible on your skin.
How Do I Get Tested For Trichomoniasis?
It's important to see your doctor if you have any kind of unusual vaginal discharge.
It's important to see your doctor if you have any kind of unusual vaginal discharge.
How Do They Test for Molluscum Contagiosum?
Molluscum contagiosum causes small fluid filled bumps on the skin that can usually be diagnosed simply by looking at them.
Molluscum contagiosum causes small fluid filled bumps on the skin that can usually be diagnosed simply by looking at them.
How Is Lymphogranuloma Venereum Tested For?
Lymphogranuloma venereum, an STD caused by a particular type of chlamydia, is not yet a common STD in the United States. Testing is difficult, particularly if the doctor is not familiar with this Lymphogranuloma venereum.
Lymphogranuloma venereum, an STD caused by a particular type of chlamydia, is not yet a common STD in the United States. Testing is difficult, particularly if the doctor is not familiar with this Lymphogranuloma venereum.
Planned Parenthood
Do you need to be tested for STDs? Planned Parenthood is an excellent resource, and their prices are scaled to be affordable to clients of all income levels.
Do you need to be tested for STDs? Planned Parenthood is an excellent resource, and their prices are scaled to be affordable to clients of all income levels.