Getting tested for a sexually transmitted infection (STI), also known as a sexually transmitted disease (STD), can make some people feel nervous, but it’s important to remember that getting tested is a normal part of taking care of your sexual health. Knowing what to expect can help you feel more prepared when you go to your appointment. Learn more about what commonly happens during and after an STI test.
Getting tested for STIs and HIV is often a quick and easy process.
Since some STIs have the same symptoms, like chlamydia and gonorrhea both causing painful or burning sensation during urination, your health care provider might test for a few different infections. In addition, each STI has its own type of test and might require testing from several places on your body. Some of the types of tests you might get are:
During your visit, your health care provider may ask questions about your sexual activity. While you may not be used to sharing personal information like this, it’s best to be open and honest with your health care provider to get the care you need. Remember that everything you share with your health care provider is confidential. They might ask about:
Your health care provider may be able to tell right away if you have an STI, but some tests can take a few days to get results.
If you take a rapid HIV test, chances are you’ll be able to wait on-site for the results. If the test comes back negative, and you haven’t had a possible exposure during the previous three months, you can be confident you do not have HIV.
However, if your rapid test is positive, the health care provider will need to send a blood sample to a lab for additional testing. You can generally expect results within a few days.
If you think you’ve recently been exposed to HIV, a health care provider may also talk to you about window periods, the period between when you’re exposed to HIV and when a test can detect the virus. During the window period, a test may show a negative result even though HIV is present. The window period varies from person to person and depends on the type of HIV test administered, but most HIV antigen/antibody tests will detect a positive result in 6 weeks.
With any test, ask your health care provider how long your results should take. If you don’t hear back within that timeframe, follow up with a call.
If your results come back positive, the good news is that most STIs can be treated, cured, or managed. If you test positive for HIV, there are very effective treatments and support services in Massachusetts that can help you live a long, healthy life. Learn more about what to do if you test positive for an STI or HIV.
Find low- to no-cost sexual health services near you, like PrEP, STI testing, and more on the Service Locator Map.
PrEP is a medication that helps prevent HIV. Take a short quiz to find out if it may be right for you.