Knowing that you have a sexually transmitted disease (STD) can be nerve-wracking. You will feel angry, upset, and embarrassed. However, the best thing you can do when you have an STD is inform your sexual partner or partners to get tested and get treatment. Even though the conversation might not be interesting, a counseling session with your healthcare provider at Oasis Healthcare Service, Inc. might help you know what to do. The good news is that medications can help cure most STDs. Therefore, you can finish your treatment and live your life.
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Which STD tests might you get?
Going for an STD test is crucial in protecting your health, especially if you are sexually active. Your healthcare provider will expect you to be honest about your sexual history. However, if you are not comfortable about sharing your sexual life with your regular doctor, you may attend STD testing clinics that offer confidential testing to their patients. The STD testing recommendations your healthcare provider is likely to recommend include:
- Adults and adolescents from around 13-64 should test at least once for HIV
- You should also go for gonorrhea and chlamydia testing every year if below 25 years or above this age and have new or various sex partners.
- Every pregnant woman should test for hepatitis B and C, syphilis, and HIV early in their pregnancy. Your healthcare provider may also recommend gonorrhea and chlamydia testing earlier in your pregnancy if you are at risk and repeatedly in the course of your pregnancy to protect your health and that of your unborn child.
- Sexually active gays and bisexuals should test at least once annually for chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis. However, the medical professional might recommend frequent testing if you have anonymous or multiple partners. Your doctor may also suggest you test once a year for HIV and at least once annually for hepatitis C if you live with HIV.
- If you practice unsafe sex or share injections, your healthcare provider may suggest you test for HIV at least once a year. You may also need to consult with your doctor for rectal and throat testing options, especially if you have anal or oral sex.
What happens when you go for STD testing?
An STD test is easy, quick, and not painful. However, before the test, the healthcare provider will help you determine the tests you might need. Testing may include:
- Cheek swab
- Urine test
- Blood test
- Physical exam
- Swabbing fluid samples from your blisters or open sores
- Swabbing cell samples or discharge from your throat, vagina, penis, cervix, or anus
You should not only go for STD testing when you have symptoms. Some STD signs look alike. Therefore, your healthcare provider might test you for other infections while testing you for STDs.
An STD is not life-threatening. Though sharing your status with your sexual partner or healthcare provider may be challenging, knowing how to manage the infection is vital. Contact your doctor to know how an STD will affect your overall well-being.
