Your overall health can be a touchy subject. Your health is your business, and it’s up to you what info you share with others. Laws like HIPAA should give you some peace of mind about your privacy. However, some health concerns still come with stigmas.
Sexually transmitted diseases tend to fall into this category. Even though you can find a confidential STD testing service, it doesn’t always alleviate all of your fears and worries. Regular STD testing can help protect your health, but you probably have plenty of questions about things like what to expect and if your privacy is really protected.
Is Regular STD Testing Necessary To Protect My Health?
STDs aren’t always obvious. Not all STDs start displaying immediate signs and symptoms. Chlamydia is an example. The sexually transmitted infection (STI) can live in your body for a few weeks before noticeable symptoms appear. Herpes is a virus that doesn’t always display symptoms.
The virus can hang out in your body for years before an outbreak appears. Even if you’re not showing symptoms, you can still pass the STD to your sexual partners. Syphilis is another example. Sometimes, it can take decades for Syphilis symptoms to pop up.
What Can I Expect During STD Testing?
STD testing isn’t a one-size-fits-all kind of thing. You have a few options, so you can find one that makes you feel a little more comfortable about the testing process. You can head to an STD testing clinic, visit your primary care physician, or go with an at-home kit.
If you decide to go with an at-home kit, not a lot is involved in the testing process. You swab the inside of your mouth, enclose the sample, and send the kit in the mail to the lab. The process is simple and painless. Don’t forget that at-home kits don’t test for all types of sexually transmitted diseases. For example, herpes and HIV can’t be detected with at-home testing kits.
Going to your physician or a clinic usually means answering a few questions about your sexual activities. Yes, this can be embarrassing, but it’s also necessary. For example, your physician will probably ask about any symptoms and if your partner/s has previously tested positive for an STD.
The healthcare professional will take either a blood, saliva, or urine sample. The physician may swab your genitals, depending on which disease/s you’re being tested for. Your sample goes to the lab, and you should receive your test results in a few business days.
Getting results from at-home testing kits usually takes longer, typically anywhere from one to three weeks. The slight delay in getting your STD test results isn’t always ideal. However, at-home STD testing kits do offer more privacy than a visit to your primary care provider.
You can take a rapid HIV test; it’s offered at most clinics and labs. Even though this type of test only checks for the presence of HIV, you typically get the results back in minutes.
Will My STD Test Results Stay Private?
For many people, confidentiality is crucial. After all, you probably don’t want to advertise you’re being tested for a possible sexually transmitted disease. The stigma surrounding these types of infections can leave you feeling embarrassed and ashamed. Just imagine how you’d feel if your STD test results ended up on social media.
All test results are confidential at STD testing centers. This also applies to at-home testing kits. You receive your results through a password-protected online portal. You don’t need to worry about embarrassing mail or flyers showing up at your home. As long as you keep your password private, your STD test results should remain completely confidential.
With this being said, there can be exceptions to the STD testing lab’s confidentiality agreement. Some STDs like HIV must be reported to local and federal health agencies. This is a law that testing facilities can’t ignore. This doesn’t mean that your name and positive STD diagnosis are made public, only that governmental healthcare agencies know that you’re positive for the sexually transmitted infection.
How Long Does It Take To Get My STD Test Results?
Waiting for your STD test results can make it feel like your life’s on pause. Every time you start feeling a little off, your stress levels hit new highs.
You’re wondering if you’re experiencing STD symptoms, like Chlamydia or maybe Herpes. Maybe your intense level of stress is making you imagine your possible symptoms. Waiting for STD test results can bring a whole new meaning to the phrase ‘feeling a little stressed.’
When you receive your test results varies. The type of STD test plays a huge role in the timeline. For example, a rapid HIV test only takes a few minutes to get results back. Other STD test results can take anywhere from 24 hours to a few days before results are in.
Even though waiting for STD test results can be excruciating, there’s a bit of good news. Most STD testing centers and at-home kits let you check your test results online. You simply create a patient portal through the testing site. From there, you wait until your STD test results pop up. This way, you don’t have to wait for the mail or worry about someone opening your test results.
Will My STD Just Go Away?
STDs don’t just go away on their own. However, treating an STD is usually pretty easy. Most sexually transmitted infections respond to antibiotics.
Unfortunately, not all STDs are treatable. HIV and AIDs can only be managed. So, what can happen if you decide to ignore your positive STD test?
- Pelvic inflammation
- Infertility
- Blindness
- Neurological issues
- Headaches
- Memory loss
Pregnant women can also endanger their unborn child if they skip treating an STD. This can include miscarriage, stillbirth, and infants being born with physical and/or neurological problems.
Don’t Put Off Getting Tested for STDs
Getting tested for sexually transmitted diseases isn’t a frightening experience. The tests are actually pretty quick and painless. Best of all, getting tested regularly for STDs is a great way to be proactive about your overall health.