In America alone, millions of people ages 15 to 24 have one or more STDs. Common sexually transmitted infections include chlamydia, gonorrhea, genital herpes, HPV, and HIV. If you’re sexually active, medical doctors recommend regular STD screening to safeguard your sexual health. These tests are essential medical checkups that detect the presence of sexually transmitted infections and diseases. This can help prevent further infection and even diseases.
For same-day STD testing, visit the walk-in clinic at AFC Urgent Care South Plainfield. We provide confidential STD testing seven days a week with no appointment required. Just walk-in at your convenience.
Why Do I Need an STD Test?
Also known as STD screening, STD tests are essential if you want to find out about your STD history. It is particularly important to those who engage in unprotected sexual intercourse with multiple partners and can help when doctors intend to make a treatment plan if you are suspected to be infected. Many STDs are asymptomatic in the first few weeks of infection, and may even continue to be asymptomatic for years. It is important to get tested to ensure you are safe from all kinds of sexually transmitted diseases.
Who Should Get an STD Test?
Doctors recommend STD tests to every adult or every sexually active person. However, certain people groups of people are advised to regularly go for STD screening and they include:
- Sexually active women under and over the age of 25. Medical experts recommend this age group go for an annual chlamydia-gonorrhea test.
- Sexually active women with multiple sexual partners.
- Women above the age of 21 years. They should go for a pap smear test to check for any abnormalities in their cervix.
- Pregnant women should also get tested for HPV, HIV, chlamydia, and syphilis.
- Sexually active men and women in a polygamous relationship who have regular unprotected sex.
- Gay men. Experts warn that hay men are more likely to have STDs when compared to other groups and thus should go for an annual check for multiple STDs.
- People with HIV should also go for frequent checkups as they are at risk of having other STDs.
- People who engage in injectable, psychoanalytic drugs like heroin.
When Should I Get Tested For STDs?
We advise you to go for an STD test if you have yet to go for one this year, regardless of your sexual history. You should also endeavor to go for one of your falls in any of the categories mentioned above. If you experience any of the following symptoms, you should seek prompt STD testing:
- Painful urination
- Pain during sex
- Sores or bumps around the genital or rectal area
- Unusual discharge from the vagina or penis
- Foul order from the genital area
During an STD test in an urgent care facility, your provider will likely review your sexual history and any noticeable symptoms. Blood tests are used to diagnose syphilis, HIV, and sometimes herpes. You may be asked to pee in a sterile universal bottle to check for the presence of trichomoniasis and sometimes gonorrhea. To diagnose HPV and Chlamydia, a sterile swab stick will be used to take samples from the vagina or cervix (in women) or the penis or urethra (in men).
Get STD Testing at AFC Urgent Care South Plainfield
If you are beginning to exhibit symptoms or are curious about your STD status, visit the walk-in clinic at AFC Urgent Care South Plainfield for testing today. Our center is open seven days a week, including convenient evening and weekend hours to accommodate patient schedules. We accept most health insurance plans and offer low-cost options for self-paying patients. If you have any additional questions about STD testing, or other services we provide, please call us directly at (908) 222-3500.
