If you've had any type of sexual contact that could transmit sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), it's important to get tested. STDs can be asymptomatic, meaning they don't present any symptoms, so the only way to know for sure if you have an STD is to get tested. Fortunately, there are a variety of ways to get tested for STDs, and many locations offer free or low-cost tests and treatments. To find out if you have an STD, you can get tested at a doctor's office or health clinic. You can find places near you to get tested here.
Most of the time, STDs have no symptoms, so tests are the only way to know for sure if you have an infection. Health care providers test people for chlamydia and gonorrhea using a urinalysis or swab. Swabs are taken from the inside of the penis in men or from the cervix in women. The sample is then studied in a laboratory.
Screening tests are important because if you don't have symptoms, you may not know you're infected. It's common for STD symptoms to be so mild that they don't bother you, but you should still see a doctor or nurse if you notice anything that doesn't seem right. You can't tell if you have an STD just by the way you look or feel most of the time. People with STDs don't have any symptoms. In addition, STDs that cannot be cured are often treated to relieve symptoms and reduce the chance of transmitting the STI to another person. The terms STIs and STDs are often used interchangeably, and the two are essentially the same, except that STDs are STIs that present symptoms. Getting tested for STDs is important for your health and well-being.
If you think you may have been exposed to an STD, it's important to get tested as soon as possible. Early detection and treatment can help prevent serious health complications.
