April is Sexually Transmitted Infection Awareness Month!

You should consider getting tested if:

• You’re sexually active. Everyone who is sexually active (even if you’ve only ever had one partner and always use protection) should be screened at some point. We recommend an HIV test for everyone who is sexually active. We also suggest all patients at risk obtain a test for gonorrhea and chlamydia.  It is recommended that all biological females aged 24 and younger who are sexually active to have a chlamydia and gonorrhea test annually or if they have had a new sexual contact.
• You’re having unprotected sex.  If you’ve had or want to start having sex — vaginal, anal, or oral — with a new partner it’s a good idea to get tested. 
• You engage in high-risk sexual behavior.  If your partner has a chronic or long-term infection such as HIV or hepatitis B or C, it’s important to be tested more frequently. Additional high-risk behavior includes intimate contact with a sex worker, IV drug user, men who have sex with men, and having multiple partners, or anonymous partners. In these cases, you’re at higher risk for coming into contact with HIV and hepatitis C, along with syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia and should get tested after contact (that includes oral and anal sex).
• You’ve had an infection in the past. You may be more likely to have an infection again, so it’s recommended  to be screened about 3 months after you’ve been treated.
• You have symptoms. This is a good time to have a discussion with your health care provider. Your symptoms and history will allow you to make the best choice about the most informative tests to look for possible causes of your symptoms.

• Here’s how long after exposure we can obtain a reliable test result:
  • Chlamydia and Gonorrhea – Usually one week after exposure to be positive.
  • Syphilis – Four to six weeks after exposure
  • HIV – As early as fourteen days after exposure but could take up to 6 weeks.

A negative result from a test taken early after exposure should be repeated to ensure accuracy.

You will be making an appointment with our clinical lab scientist for testing.  You will be asked a few questions about where you have sex (vaginal, oral, anal) to determine the best sites from which we will need to collect a specimen.  Most specimens will either be a urine sample or a self-collected swab.  

If you are experiencing any symptoms of concern, we will still perform your test, but we will also schedule an appointment with an SHC provider for further follow-up.

Results generally come back to us within 24-48 hours.  If the results are positive, a clinician from the SHC will reach out to coordinate treatment for you and your partner(s).  Negative results will be posted to your My Health Portal.