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Testing
1.
How do I get tested for STDs?
There are many different tests for each of the different STDs, and
no one test will check for all STDs.. Some STDs are hard to test for
if you do not have any symptoms. Some STDs can be tested through simple
blood work or a urine test; others can only be tested for through
culturing body fluid from the penis, vagina or open sore on the body.
If you go in for testing, it is important to ask your health care
provider which tests will be done and which will not. Sometimes weeks
or months after exposure need to pass to give your body enough time
to develop antibodies that will show up in a test (such as with HIV
tests).
2.
Where do I go to get tested?
Your local health department, community clinic, private doctor or
Planned Parenthood are all good locations to check out for STD testing.
ASHA's National STI Resource Center Hotline can look up free or low
cost clinics in your area that do STD testing. You can call them at
1 (800) 227-8922 weekdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET, or seven days
a week, 24 hours a day, to listen to recorded information.
3.
What's the difference between confidential and anonymous testing?
All medical care that you receive should be confidential. This means
that the information you discuss with your health care providers must
stay in your files at the clinic and not be released to anyone without
your permission. Anonymous testing is when your name is not associated
with the test or the results in any way. You may be given a number
or code word to identify yourself during testing and when receiving
results. This is not widely available any longer.
4.
Do my parents have to find out?
This varies a lot from state to state. Some clinics will see you without
your parents' permission and some will not. If you are concerned about
this, call the clinic before you go. Ask if you need to bring your
parent along for permission and what information the clinic will share
with them. This way you know what to expect ahead of time.
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