Interested in STD testing?
If you're sexually active or have had unprotected sex in the past, you should consider STD testing, even if just to put your mind at ease. After all, it's entirely within the rights of a potential sexual partner to ask you if you've been tested recently, and you should be able to answer honestly, "Yes."
There's no all-inclusive STD test -- you'll have to get several different tests to cover the array of possibilities. But keep in mind that STDs don't always present symptoms right away, and you could have a disease that's affecting your reproductive or overall health without knowing about it.
Here is an overview of the tests we offer:
Chlamydia/ gonorrhea. These two tests are usually performed together, though Chlamydia is much more common. You should have this test annually if you are sexually active with new partners, especially if you are age 25 and under. We offer this testing through urine sample for males or females, or a self-collected vaginal swab for females. A free test voucher is available at knowyo.org
HIV. We do rapid HIV screening through a finger stick. You will have your results within 15 minutes. Free testing is available at knowyo.org.
HPV (genital warts). This is a tough one. Many people now want to know if they carry HPV due to better education about this virus. However, there is not one easy and inexpensive screening tool for this infection. Women aged 21 and older should be screened for HPV with a pap smear. For men, there is testing available through a urine screen but it is very expensive and not routinely recommended.
Herpes. There is blood testing available for herpes simplex viruses, however it is expensive and not routinely recommended for sexually active people who do not have symptoms of herpes.
Hepatitis/Syphillis. There is blood testing available for these infections but they are not routinely recommended. Please contact the clinic if you think testing for one of these infections is appropriate in your situation.
Other signs & symptoms. If you have something "down there" that doesn't seem right- please call the clinic to make an appointment right away. It is easier for us to diagnose you when a bump or sore is new.
Still confused? check out this site http://www.beforeplay.org/stds/
There's no all-inclusive STD test -- you'll have to get several different tests to cover the array of possibilities. But keep in mind that STDs don't always present symptoms right away, and you could have a disease that's affecting your reproductive or overall health without knowing about it.
Here is an overview of the tests we offer:
Chlamydia/ gonorrhea. These two tests are usually performed together, though Chlamydia is much more common. You should have this test annually if you are sexually active with new partners, especially if you are age 25 and under. We offer this testing through urine sample for males or females, or a self-collected vaginal swab for females. A free test voucher is available at knowyo.org
HIV. We do rapid HIV screening through a finger stick. You will have your results within 15 minutes. Free testing is available at knowyo.org.
HPV (genital warts). This is a tough one. Many people now want to know if they carry HPV due to better education about this virus. However, there is not one easy and inexpensive screening tool for this infection. Women aged 21 and older should be screened for HPV with a pap smear. For men, there is testing available through a urine screen but it is very expensive and not routinely recommended.
Herpes. There is blood testing available for herpes simplex viruses, however it is expensive and not routinely recommended for sexually active people who do not have symptoms of herpes.
Hepatitis/Syphillis. There is blood testing available for these infections but they are not routinely recommended. Please contact the clinic if you think testing for one of these infections is appropriate in your situation.
Other signs & symptoms. If you have something "down there" that doesn't seem right- please call the clinic to make an appointment right away. It is easier for us to diagnose you when a bump or sore is new.
Still confused? check out this site http://www.beforeplay.org/stds/
