Question 1

Can I have an STD without knowing it?

Accepted Answer

The tricky thing about STDs is that you don’t always know that you have one. It’s very possible to have certain STDs and remain symptom-free or have mild symptoms you mistake for another illness. The worst part is, you can still spread the disease even if you aren’t symptomatic. You can have chlamydia, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis, genital herpes, and HPV without showing immediate symptoms.

Question 2

How do I know if I have an STD?

Accepted Answer

Since not everyone will experience symptoms, the only way to make sure you are not infected is to receive a negative result from an accurate test. If you experience sores, itching, rash or other symptoms like swelling or pain in the genitals it is advised that you seek testing right away. Many people who are sexually active outside a monogamous relationship opt to have preventative testing done once or more per year on a routine basis just to be on the safe side.

Question 3

How do I know which STD test I need?

Accepted Answer

Unless you have obvious tell-tale symptoms like genital warts then you won’t know exactly what to test for and should do more broad-spectrum testing. Everyone should be tested for HIV at least once in their lives as part of routine healthcare, and yearly in case of practicing high risk sexual behaviors. [11] All pregnant women should get checked as well for a range of STDs. You should consider testing for multiple STDs once or more per year if you are sexually active, have more than one partner, or are at high risk for STDs.

Question 4

Are the results of STD tests accurate?

Accepted Answer

Today’s testing methods are incredibly accurate. The CDC (Centers for Disease Control) states that false positives are extremely rare. If you do have an STD, the test will pick it up more than 90% of the time. Rapids tests can give you results as fast as one hour while other tests take a week or more to come back.

Question 5

Do I need a doctor’s order for STD testing?

Accepted Answer

The most common way to obtain STD testing is from a doctor or health clinic, however, there are many reasons you might want to bypass going through your family doctor or insurance for testing. Home testing has risen in popularity in the last few years and is just as fast and accurate. If you test positive, then you will need to follow up with a doctor for treatment.

Question 6

Are STDs common in the US?

Accepted Answer

Taking into consideration, 1 in two sexually active person will contract an STI at the age of 25,[9] Americans are not the exception, and are contracting STDs at an alarming rate. There was a record-high number of reported cases for the 5th year in a row recently, with a total of ~2.5M STDs reported on 2018 alone, being the most common STD reported in the US is chlamydia with more than ~1.7 million cases a year and growing right now. [10]

Question 7

Are all STDs curable?

Accepted Answer

There are +30 different viruses, bacteria and parasites known to be transmitted thought sexual contact. 8 of these infections are considered the most common, which are considered chronic (no cure), these are: Hepatitis B, herpes, HIV, and HPV.[4] Although these infections cannot be cured, they are manageable with treatment or medications. For Hepatitis B, people usually will need treatment for the rest of their lives.[5] In the case of Herpes simplex virus treatment is composed by antiviral medicines as acyclovir, which taken daily can lessen the severity and frequency of outbreaks.[6] Finally, HIV treatment is caller Anti-retroviral therapy (ART), which involves a combination of medicines[7], normally being three or more antiretroviral drugs taken daily.[8]

Question 8

Can I get the same STD more than once?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely! You can get bacterial infections such as syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia repeatedly. Treatment does not prevent future infections. The only way to prevent more infections is to practice abstinence or sexual activities inside a monogamous faithful relationship with a non-infected person.

Question 9

Am I 100% safe if I use condoms?

Accepted Answer

The safety of condoms is directly related to the type of events that the user wants to get protected from. In the case of condoms and STDs or STIs, the first factor to understand is the difference between “perfect” and “typical” use. While “perfect use” means condoms are used following all instructions properly, “typical” use, refers to the usage which is typically achieved by the population. As one example, studies have evidenced that while unexpected pregnancy rates are ~2% in 12 months with perfect use, with inconsistent and incorrect use this rate goes as high as ~18%.[1]

In the case of STDs and STIs, one of the largest studies made sponsored by the NIH on condoms effectiveness to prevent STDs found that condoms (when used consistently) can reduce the risk of HIV, besides this, the range of reduction is as ample as ~35% to ~96%, giving a large margin to risk. (Additionally, if typical use is intended, this reduction becomes lower and I consequence the risk of contracting such disease is higher.) In the case of other STDs, the panel stated that “the evidence for the effectiveness of condoms in preventing other STIs was considered to be insufficient”.[2]

Finally, is important to understand that prevention is key, according to the CDC “The most reliable ways to avoid transmission of STDs are to abstain from sexual activity, or to be in a long-term mutually monogamous relationship with an uninfected partner.”[3]

Question 10

Can STDs be spread with anal or oral sex?

Accepted Answer

You can get an STD from receiving oral sex with an infected person. Herpes which is spread on contact is easily spread this way. You can also get gonorrhea and chlamydia infections in the throat. Because anal sex causes tearing and bleeding you are even more likely to get an STD that spreads through fluids like HIV this way.

Question 11

Does insurance cover STD testing?

Accepted Answer

Most insurance policies will cover STD testing under laboratory testing. The amount of coverage and whether or not you have a copay or coinsurance will vary by plan. If you don’t have insurance, you can visit a clinic or purchase a home testing kit and pay out of pocket.

Question 12

Does STD testing necessarily involve a physical examination?

Accepted Answer

Some STDs are diagnosed with a combination of a physical exam of the genitals and blood testing at a lab. The type of STD and the severity of the symptoms will determine if a physical is needed. Most of the time, you can test with blood, urine, or swabs of the mouth or sex organs.

Question 13

How do I know if I am at risk of getting an STD?

Accepted Answer

Anyone who engages in sexual activity is at risk for getting an STD. Additionally, having sex with multiple partners (+1 person each 12 months) will increase your risk of contracting an STD. The only 100% guaranteed methods of preventing any STD or STI are either not having any kind of sexual contact or having it inside a monogamous relationship with a non-infected person. In case you are outside one of these two groups, please consider you are at risk of developing an STD or STI, in this case, or if you experience any symptoms, a visit to your doctor and receiving an STD test can be the first steps to take.

Question 14

How do I prepare for an STD test?

Accepted Answer

You do not have to do anything special to prepare for an STD test. Many are done by taking a blood or urine sample with no prep work on your end.

Question 15

How do I protect myself and my partner from STDs?

Accepted Answer

The only 100% guaranteed methods of preventing any STD or STI are either not having any kind of sexual contact or having it inside a monogamous relationship with a non-infected person. In case you are outside one of these two groups, please consider you are at risk of developing an STD or STI, in this case, the best first step is getting tested for STDs to confirm no infection is present, and repeat the process at least once a year.

Question 16

How often should I get tested for STDs?

Accepted Answer

Sexually active adults should be testing at the start of a new monogamous relationship, or about once every year if they have multiple partners. The more risk you take on, the more often you should get testing. If you have multiple partners, are gay or bisexual, or have autoimmune issues then you will want to get testing more frequently.

Question 17

Is it possible to get an STD without having sex?

Accepted Answer

STDs are transmitted through the exchange of fluids or through skin contact, making it possible to transmit STDs without having traditional intercourse and in the case of practicing vaginal intercourse even when using condom. You can also get STDs from a sexual activity like oral sex and rubbing genitals together.

Question 18

Can you get an STD if you and your partner are both virgins?

Accepted Answer

STDs as chlamydia and HIV can get transmitted through any sexual activity, including oral and anal sex.[12] [13] For this reason, it is still possible to get infected or transmit a STDs if you are a virgin.

Question 19

Can you get an STD if you are in a monogamous relationship?

Accepted Answer

In fact, being in a long term and mutually monogamous relationship with a partner who is not infected is the only 100% secure method of not being infected apart from abstaining yourself from sexual activity[14] Besides this, the risks are increased by 2 of these same facts if some conditions are not met:

If you are inside a monogamous relationship, you will need to be sure that person is 100% faithful to you and not having any kind of sexual activity with another person, as if this is not the case, the person can be infected by another person during the relationship and transmit the STD to you before showing any symptoms. Please take note that according to some studies, ~40% of unmarried relationships and ~25% of married relationships see at least one incidence of infidelity, [15] so you should be confident in the other person faithfulness or otherwise can be exposing yourself to getting an STD.
It is important to understand that a negative result of a test will be reliable only if performed after the window period for that disease has passed, otherwise the person can obtain a negative result even when a bacteria or virus is present. Please take note, that STDs possess different window periods. As a rule of thumb, if you or another person testing for STDs is performed after 1 year has passed since the last sexual activity and tests show a negative result, chances are high that you or the person does not have that disease.[16]

Question 20

Can I get an STD from a public toilet?

Accepted Answer

You will never catch an STD from a toilet seat. Even infections that can be transmitted by casual contact cannot be caught by sharing a toilet seat because the germs or viruses cannot live on the smooth surface of the toilet seat. It usually takes a transfer of fluids or rubbing genitals together to contract the disease.

Question 21

What are the different types of STDs?

Accepted Answer

STDs can be bacterial, viral and parasitical infections. All of the incurable STDs are viral infections. The most common sexually transmitted diseases are chlamydia and gonorrhea.

Question 22

Is my privacy protected during STD testing?

Accepted Answer

HIPPA and other health information protection laws make it clear that your privacy is to be protected. Even minors over the age of 13 are granted privacy protections for sexual health and pregnancy in the US.[17]

Question 23

What is the most common STD for men?

Accepted Answer

Chlamydia is the most common STD for men with 610,447 cases reported in 2018 for men alone.[19]

Question 24

What is the most common STD for women?

Accepted Answer

Chlamydia is the most reported STD for both men and women.[20] In the case of women, 534.616 cases were reported to the CDC in 2018.[21] Other common STDs for women include HPV and gonorrhea.

Question 25

Should I be tested for STDs during my pregnancy?

Accepted Answer

As STDs or STIs during pregnancy can poses serious risks of the health of your children, screening for STDs as HIV, hepatitis B, syphilis will take place generally at your first prenatal visit.[23] The CDC recommends “all pregnant women” to be screened for these diseases during pregnancy.[24]

Question 26

Can I get STDs during my pregnancy? What are the risks?

Accepted Answer

Yes, please understand pregnancy does not prevent you from receiving a STD. Additionally, a STD can create complications to your pregnancy and may have serious effects on your health as well as the development of your baby. Is important to note that, the only 100% guaranteed methods of preventing any STD or STI are either not having any kind of sexual contact or having it inside a monogamous relationship with a non-infected person. In case you are outside one of these two groups and pregnant, please consider you are at risk of developing an STD or STI, additionally, if you had not received an STD test yet during pregnancy, or if you experience any symptoms, a visit to your doctor and receiving an STD test are the first steps to take.

Question 27

What if my STD test is positive?

Accepted Answer

If you received a positive result from an STD test, the first thing you should do is to receive the results with calm. Depending if you had a rapid screening test or not, a follow-up test may be arranged. Please take note that for most diseases, there is treatment available and some of them can be cured. In case you received a positive result, please visit a physician with the results in order to receive proper consultation.

Question 28

Is a positive test result anonymous or confidential?

Accepted Answer

HIPPA privacy laws protect your health information for the most part, but there are certain diseases that are mandated to be reported to the state health department. Please take note that diseases like HIV are considered a public health risk and all doctors and labs must report positive results.[22]

Question 29

What Is an STD?

Accepted Answer

STD Stands for Sexually Transmitted Disease and is defined as “an infectious disease that spreads from person to person during sexual contact.”, this is the most-commonly used term, to describe those infections and medical conditions which their primary mode of transmission between humans is via sexual contact, including vaginal intercourse, as well as oral, anal sex, and skin-to-skin contact with an infected person. Among these, we can find diseases such as syphilis, trichomoniasis, and HIV. Please note that, some diseases and conditions may vary in the likelihood of their transmission depending on the type of sexual activity. Additionally, the term STI Stands for Sexually Transmitted Infection and is a terminology used commonly as a synonym of STD as well.

Question 30

Should I get tested for STDs?

Accepted Answer

It is well known that certain activities are specially considered risk factors for STDs: Needle sharing and drug Use (HIV/AIDS and hepatitis), anal sex (MSM) (HIV), young age, etc. Besides this, any person who may had any sexual activity in the past, or which has sex activities with multiple sex partners (+1 person during lifetime or in the last 12 months) is at risk of having contracted an STD, additionally, this risk will increase depending on the number of sex activities.

The only 100% guaranteed methods of preventing any STD or STI are either not having any kind of sexual contact or having it inside a monogamous and faithful relationship with a non-infected person (a person who has received a negative result from a high sensitivity test after the window time has passed). Otherwise, if you are outside one of these two groups, please consider you possess a considerable risk of developing or having contracted an STD. In this case, receiving a test can be the best thing to do.

Question 31

How to get tested for STDs?

Accepted Answer

STDs should always be tested by a trained medical professional. The tests themselves involve the acquiring of your blood, urine or saliva sample, which will then be tested using an FDA-approved STD test. For certain types of STDs, a doctor may request a swab from the inside of your mouth, genitals (urethra for men and cervix for women), or of a discharge from sores (if present). In certain cases, the tests can be carried at the clinic, however in most cases the samples will need to be sent to a lab for more advanced and comprehensive testing.

Question 32

Do I Have an STD or an STI?

Accepted Answer

Unfortunately, in many cases the STD or STI may not present any symptoms at all[i], for this reason, and with common STDs leaving you vulnerable to some of the harshest long-term complications, including infertility, organ damage and even cancer, testing is usually the best option to properly know if you have or not a STD.

Recent evidence shows that asymptomatic, or symptomless STDs, are far-more common than those that do present symptoms, especially in the case of women. In fact, most people who get infected with a disease can never even know they contracted an STD or develop symptoms only years after. i.e. Chlamydia, (75% of women and 50% of men never present any symptoms) Gonorrhea (only 50% of women an 10% of men present symptoms), etc. It is in this time-window or asymptomatic period that they may inadvertently spread the disease to another person through sexual activities.

Please take note you can have an STD even if you feel good. The information above leads to only one conclusion: just because you haven’t noticed any of the symptoms usually associated with STDs, such as skin sores, warts, abnormal discharges from the genitals or a rash, does not mean that you don’t have a dormant STD that can be spread to others, that is the reason testing is of great importance.

Question 33

Can you get a STD Test at Walmart

Accepted Answer

Yes, but you can get the SAME tests at lower prices on our site with our special coupons

Question 34

Is STDcheck.com legit or scam?

Accepted Answer

STDcheck.com is legit, and they offer reliable, discreet, and private online std testing with fast results. See STDcheck.com review

Question 35

I got a text notification; what does it mean?

Accepted Answer

Through STDCheck.com a person that has tested positive for an STD can send an anonymous text or email to their sexual partners, alerting them for a need to get tested themselves. If you’ve received one of these text notifications, then a recent sexual partner has tested positive for an STD and they are doing the responsible thing by letting you know you need to be tested as well.

Question 36

How does STDcheck.com test for STDs?

Accepted Answer

All of STDcheck.com STD tests are performed through urine and/or blood tests to ensure accuracy. They do not perform swab or saliva testing.

Question 37

Does STDcheck.com offer at-home testing?

Accepted Answer

No. In order to ensure the greatest accuracy possible, STDcheck only offer lab testing.

Question 38

What is STD Screening, Exactly?

Accepted Answer

Getting a screening test means that we look for an infection when you may not have any symptoms. Just like you screen for colon cancer, it’s also important to screen for sexually transmitted infections. Testing recommendations for STI depend on your lifestyle and risk level.

Question 39

Can I Get an Anonymous STD test in the US?

Accepted Answer

Many said that they were afraid of being tested because they were worried more about the societal consequences of having HIV than the health hazards. while there are several services that guarantee anonymity, there currently exist no anonymous HIV testing centers throughout the country.

Question 40

Can I Use My HSA or FSA Card for STD Testing?

Accepted Answer

Yes. You can use your HSA (Health Savings Account) or FSA (Flex Spending Account) cards to pay for STD testing services. This is a convenient way to make a payment and allow you to enjoy the tax savings.

Question 41

How accurate is LetsGetChecked’s testing?

Accepted Answer

LetsGetChecked are using the same labs used by hospitals and doctors and so our tests are extremely accurate.

Question 42

Is LetsGetChecked legit?

Accepted Answer

We strongly recommend LetsGetChecked as a private, trustworthy and reliable business to use for health tests. You should consider LetsGetChecked for most, if not all, of your home testing needs

Question 43

Is LetsGetChecked fda-approved?

Accepted Answer

The LetsGetChecked Coronavirus (COVID-19) Test is intended for qualitative detection of nucleic acid from the SARS-CoV-2 in nasal swab specimens self-collected by individuals at home, using the LetsGetChecked COVID-19 Home Collection Kit. This test has been authorized by FDA under an EUA for use by authorized laboratories.

Question 44

How long does it take for an accurate STD test?

Accepted Answer

STD test accuracy can vary by days passed since last exposure, the method which samples are taken and STD’s screened. Most common STD’s like chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis can be detected reliably within several weeks since last exposure, unlike them HIV could take up to 3 months before being reliably ruled out in test results.

Question 45

How much does STD testing cost?

Accepted Answer

Nowadays, there are numerous companies in the medical industry that offer at-home testing, so it can be somewhat difficult to get accurate estimates for certain services. Generally speaking, you can expect to get a kit that tests for 5 common STDs for somewhere between $140 and $160.

Question 46

What are the 5 most common STDs?

Accepted Answer

The five most common infections are Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Syphilis, HIV, and Trichomoniasis.

Question 47

Are at-home STI tests accurate?

Accepted Answer

This will vary from company to company but generally speaking, you can expect to see the same level of accuracy as an STD test that takes place in a clinic. It is however important to keep in mind that the accuracy of the results of an at-home STD test is going to greatly depend on the accuracy of the samples that you collect.

Question 48

When should I get tested for an STD?

Accepted Answer

The average incubation period for an STD is 3 weeks but when you should get tested for an STD will depend on the type of STD you believe you have contracted. The incubation period as outlined in the above article refers to the length of time it takes for your body to produce antibodies/develop physical symptoms of an STD. This means that if you had unprotected sex on Monday, and take an STD test the following Tuesday, you could receive a false negative. This means that you are still at risk. Refer to the incubation periods in the above article as a guide, but ensure that you visit a health professional if you are concerned about symptoms or a sexual experience.

Question 49

How do I get tested for an STD?

Accepted Answer

You can visit a health professional in a healthcare setting or take an at home STD test. The STD that you have, or think you have will determine the type of testing required. Some STDs involve a physical examination and a blood test, others will require a urine sample or a swab test. Your symptoms and/or whether your previous sexual partners are aware of an STD they could be carrying will help to determine the type of testing that you require. In most cases, you can test with blood, urine, or swabs of the mouth or sex organs.

Question 50

How long do the results of an STD test take?

Accepted Answer

Depending on the testing route you take, i.e whether you decide to visit your doctor or take an at home STD test, your STD results could take anywhere 1-5 days.

Question 51

I’m pregnant. How does chlamydia affect my baby?

Accepted Answer

According to the CDC, if you are pregnant and have chlamydia, you can pass the infection to your baby during delivery. This could cause an eye infection or pneumonia in your newborn. Having chlamydia may also make it more likely to deliver your baby too early.

If you are pregnant, you should get tested for chlamydia at your first prenatal visit. Testing and treatment are the best ways to prevent health problems.

Question 52

Does chlamydia stay in the body after it’s been cured?

Accepted Answer

Nope! Chlamydia can be easily cured with antibiotics. Chlamydia is a bacterial infection, which means that once you’ve been treated and tested negative for it (to make sure the antibiotics worked), it’s gone. Your doctor will tell you exactly what type of antibiotics you need, and when to get tested again to make sure the antibiotics worked.

Question 53

What STD can guys get?

Accepted Answer

Men can contract and experience symptoms of the following STDs:

Chlamydia
Gonorrhea
Hepatitis
HIV/AIDs
Herpes
Human papillomavirus (HPV)
Syphilis
Trichomoniasis
Chanchroid
Lymphogranuloma Venereum (LGV)
Mycoplasma
Public lice infestation
Scabies

Question 54

How do you tell if a man has an STD?

Accepted Answer

It’s almost impossible to tell if someone has an STD just by looking at them. If you are getting intimate with someone and you notice that they have lumps, ulcers, or sores on their genitals, this could indicate that they have an STD, you may notice an unusual or foul smell, swelling of the testicles, unusual discharge or drip from the tip of the penis.

If you are getting intimate with someone and you notice these things, it’s important to ask yourself if you are comfortable with what you are seeing. It’s never too late to say no. If you feel uncomfortable in a sexual situation, make sure that you are vocal about it. It could open up an important and necessary question about your sexual history.

Regardless of whether or not you notice any signs or symptoms, wearing a condom is always the best method for protection, especially as more often than not, you will not be able to tell if a man or a woman has an STD.

Question 55

What does chlamydia do to men?

Accepted Answer

Chlamydia is very easy to treat with a simple course of antibiotics, however, if left untreated, chlamydia can impact the entire male reproductive system. The bacteria which causes chlamydia (chlamydia trachomatis) may cause inflammation of the urethra, testicles and prostate gland. This inflammation may lead to issues in both the quality and mobility of sperm, so male fertility could be compromised.

Untreated chlamydia may also lead to a condition called epididymitis, a condition which means the tube which holds the testicles in place (the epididymis) becomes inflamed, this may make urination and sexual intercourse painful. Infection, associated with epididymitis may also lead to fever, headache and pain in the abdomen.

As mentioned, chlamydia is very easy to treat if caught early, so make sure that you are regularly attending STD testing.

Question 56

What are at least 3 symptoms of common STDs in men?

Accepted Answer

Some of the most common symptoms of STDs in men include:

Burning or pain during urination
Pain in the abdomen
Pain during sex
Pain in the testicles
Unusual discharge from the penis
Lumps or bumps on the genital area
Sores or ulcers on the genital area

Question 57

How long should I wait to take an STD test after an incident which has led me to believe that I may have contracted an STD?

Accepted Answer

The incubation periods (length of time it takes for a test to be able to test positive or negative for an STD) will depend on the type of STD you have contracted. On average it takes 2-3 weeks from the time of unprotected sex for a test to provide accurate results. Find out more about incubation periods in men, and incubation periods in women.

Question 58

What are some of the most common symptoms of STDs in men?

Accepted Answer

The most common symptoms of STDs in men include:

Burning or pain during urination
Pain in the abdomen
Pain during sex
Pain in the testicles
Unusual discharge from the penis
Lumps or bumps on the genital area
Sores or ulcers on the genital area

Question 59

What are some of the most common symptoms of STDs in women?

Accepted Answer

The most common symptoms of STDs in women include:

Pain in the affected area
Itchiness
Lumps and bumps
Changes in vaginal discharge

Question 60

What is the best at home STD test on the market?

Accepted Answer

Currently, at home STD test on the market is LetsGetChecked, which ranks the best for convenience, price, accessibility, turnaround time and follow up advice and treatment.

Question 61

Are at home STD tests accurate?

Accepted Answer

In general, you should expect to see the same level of accuracy as an STD test that takes place in a clinic. Bear in mind that the accuracy of the results of an at-home STD test is going to greatly depend on the samples you collect, i.e. have you collected the correct volume and did you take the test within the incubation window.

Question 62

How do I prepare for an STD test?

Accepted Answer

There is nothing you need to do to prepare for an STD test.

Question 63

Does STD testing require a physical examination?

Accepted Answer

STD testing doesn’t always require a physical examination, at home STD tests require urine and/or blood samples, some tests may require vaginal, oral or rectal swabs.

Question 64

What is the best option, home kits, walk in labs or over the counter options?

Accepted Answer

Find out more about the best sexual health testing option for you here.

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