What to Expect When Getting an STD Test

Other than annual pap smears for women, very few people have regular STD tests. If you are sexually active, having annual STD tests is essential. Let your doctor know which STD test you want to have---each one is tested differently. During the test, your doctor will ask your sexual history and take either a swab or blood sample. If the results come back positive, your doctor will talk to you about treatment options.

Before the Exam

Before your exam begins, your doctor will ask you some questions about your sexual history. These questions may include the number of sexual partners you have had, your sexual practices and what type of protection you use during sex. Tell your doctor of any symptoms you may have, as this will direct her to test for specific STDs. Important symptoms to note are genital sores and unusual discharge. Women should tell their doctors if they have abdominal pain or a fever, as this could indicate pelvic-inflammatory disease.

Gonorrhea and Chlamydia Testing

Gonorrhea and chlamydia are two sexually transmitted diseases caused by bacteria. Symptoms may not always be present, so an STD test is the only way to diagnose. The doctor will ask for either a urine sample or a swab sample---the swab sample is taken from inside the penis or the cervix.

Syphilis Testing

You can be tested for syphilis through a blood sample. However, if the infection was recent, the blood sample may not come back positive for syphilis. If you have genital sores, your doctor will take a swab and test those sores for syphilis.

HIV and Hepatitis Testing

HIV and hepatitis types A and B are tested with a blood sample. However, if you were recently infected with HIV, your blood test may not reflect it yet. It takes weeks for a blood test to come back positive after infection. Thus, the CDC recommends an HIV test every six months for people in high-risk categories.

Genital Herpes Testing

Blood tests are not very accurate in detecting genital herpes, which is caused by the herpes simplex viruses. If you have blisters around your genitals, your doctor will take either a tissue scraping or a culture.