What kinds of STD tests are done?

What kinds of STD tests are done?

You can get screened if you’re having symptoms that make you think you might have an STI or if you don’t have any symptoms but want to make sure you’re STI free. College health services offices can often screen for STIs, along with Planned Parenthood clinics and many doctors’ offices. Screenings are a good idea whenever you have a new partner because it is possible to be infected with STIs and not have any symptoms.

Common things to get tested for are HPV (the virus that causes genital warts), syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, hepatitis, trichomoniasis, and HIV. It is also possible to test for herpes, but that test is not very accurate unless you have an active sore that can be swabbed.

Scabies and body lice are sexually transmissible, but produce itching and, in the case of scabies, a rash, so screening for them if you don’t have symptoms is generally unnecessary. Other STIs may be tested for if you have symptoms that don’t seem to be caused by something more common.

Blood tests, urine tests, and genital swabs are used to detect various STIs.

Recommendations: Two general books about STDs.