New York City STD Testing
Many people don’t receive prompt treatment for STDs. Many STDs have no symptoms or very nonspecific symptoms, which can make them hard to notice.
Depending on your sexual history, your doctor may order a variety of tests to check you for STDs, including blood tests, urine tests, swabs, or physical exams.
Some STDs, such as herpes and genital warts, can be diagnosed through a combination of physical examination and other tests. Your doctor can conduct a physical exam to look for sores, bumps, and other signs of STIs.
The tests can vary, depending on which STDs your doctor is checking for. Talk to your doctor about your sexual history and ask which tests you should get. They can help you understand the potential benefits and risks of different STD tests. They can also recommend appropriate treatment options if you test positive for any STDs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will I always know if I have an STD?
No. Some men with gonorrhea may have no symptoms at all. In women the symptoms of gonorrhea are often mild, but most women who are infected have no symptoms. Chlamydia is known as a “silent” disease because about 75% of infected women and about 50% of infected men have no symptoms. The only way to know for sure is to get tested for STDs.
Does my primary care doctor automatically test me for STDs at my annual physical?
Not always. Some doctors conduct a sexual risk assessment on their patients yearly. Often, patients have to request to be tested for STDs. It is important to be specific with your doctor about which types of tests you want and your risk behaviors so they can provide appropriate treatment. If you haven’t had an honest conversation with your healthcare provider about your sexual activity then you probably haven’t been tested appropriately.
If I have unprotected sex on a Saturday can I come in on Monday and get tested for possible STDs?
Yes, you can. But it is important to realize that it can take weeks from the time of exposure and possible infection until symptoms occur or our diagnostic tests turn positive. So, if you did have unprotected sex on Saturday and came into the clinic for testing on Monday, regardless of your test results, it is important to be re-tested in approximately six weeks, even if you don’t develop symptoms.
Is my STD curable?
Most bacterial infections (such as gonorrhea, chlamydia and syphilis) are curable with antibiotics. Regardless, it is important to get re-tested in three months to make sure that you have cleared the bacterial infection or have not gotten re-infected. Herpes, HIV and genital warts are all caused by viruses, and although there are medicines to treat the infections, no cure is possible at this time.
What can I do to reduce my risk of getting an STD?
First, talk with your partners. It is important that you know how many other partners he/she has had or currently has and if he/she has been tested recently for STDs, including HIV. And, second, wear a condom (a dental dam for oral sex) each and every time you have sex.