Getting tested for STD’s revisited:
We have seen this in the forum under an old thread, but thought it would be worthwhile to do a quick review.
• We recommend routine screening every 3-6 months depending on how many contacts you and your partners have.
• If you are experiencing any symptoms get tested right away.
• It is common for people to have no symptoms when they have an STD.
• Testing done will depend on the type of sexual contact you had.
The most common tests for an STD check up if you have no symptoms include:
Male:
Gonorrhea:
• Tested from the penis if it has been in a vagina, mouth or anus.
• Tested from the throat or anus if a penis has been inside.
Chlamydia:
• Tested from the penis if it has been in a vagina, mouth or anus.
Female:
Gonorrhea:
• Tested from the vagina, throat or anus if a penis has been inside.
Chlamydia:
• Tested from the vagina if a penis has been inside.
Trichomonas:
• Tested from the vagina if a penis has been inside.
Both:
• Blood tests are done for syphilis, HIV & Hepatitis.
• If you have been vaccinated for hepatitis B (3 shots over 6 months) you do not need to be tested for it.
Sex toys can also be a way of spreading STD’s if there are body fluids on the toy.
After a sexual contact the time it takes for the test to be accurate depends on the type of infection:
Gonorrhea and chlamydia: (swab or urine sample) would show up after one week in a test.
Syphilis: (blood test) usually positive by 6 wks but can take as long as 3 months.
HIV: (blood test) 97% of people test positive within 3 months and everyone within 6 months.
Hepatitis B: (blood Test) usually positive by 3 months but can take as long as 6 months.
Where to get tested:
The following link lists health care providers in BC who specialize in STD testing. STD testing is free in these clinics and many offer anonymous testing.
www.stdresource.com/clinics/index.php
STD testing can be done at any doctor’s office or clinic.
Let us know if you need any more information regarding testing.
HN
www.stdresource.com
We have seen this in the forum under an old thread, but thought it would be worthwhile to do a quick review.
• We recommend routine screening every 3-6 months depending on how many contacts you and your partners have.
• If you are experiencing any symptoms get tested right away.
• It is common for people to have no symptoms when they have an STD.
• Testing done will depend on the type of sexual contact you had.
The most common tests for an STD check up if you have no symptoms include:
Male:
Gonorrhea:
• Tested from the penis if it has been in a vagina, mouth or anus.
• Tested from the throat or anus if a penis has been inside.
Chlamydia:
• Tested from the penis if it has been in a vagina, mouth or anus.
Female:
Gonorrhea:
• Tested from the vagina, throat or anus if a penis has been inside.
Chlamydia:
• Tested from the vagina if a penis has been inside.
Trichomonas:
• Tested from the vagina if a penis has been inside.
Both:
• Blood tests are done for syphilis, HIV & Hepatitis.
• If you have been vaccinated for hepatitis B (3 shots over 6 months) you do not need to be tested for it.
Sex toys can also be a way of spreading STD’s if there are body fluids on the toy.
After a sexual contact the time it takes for the test to be accurate depends on the type of infection:
Gonorrhea and chlamydia: (swab or urine sample) would show up after one week in a test.
Syphilis: (blood test) usually positive by 6 wks but can take as long as 3 months.
HIV: (blood test) 97% of people test positive within 3 months and everyone within 6 months.
Hepatitis B: (blood Test) usually positive by 3 months but can take as long as 6 months.
Where to get tested:
The following link lists health care providers in BC who specialize in STD testing. STD testing is free in these clinics and many offer anonymous testing.
www.stdresource.com/clinics/index.php
STD testing can be done at any doctor’s office or clinic.
Let us know if you need any more information regarding testing.
HN
www.stdresource.com