There comes a time in every person’s life when they must get tested. In fact, it is recommended that each sexually active person get tested at least once a year or every few months if you are having sex with new partners. In the United States, there are approximately 19 million new cases of STIs each year. And young persons ages 15-24 constitute for nearly half of all new diagnoses. Most STIs don’t show symptoms so you may have one and not even be aware of it. The safest way to continue your sex life is to routinely check for STIs and prevent yourself from contracting them in the first place. You can do this through always using barrier protection.
STD tests are easy to get. While some states have a specific age of consent (usually between 12 and 14 years old), minors are allowed to test for STDs in all 50 states in the U.S. Furthermore, although 18 states give physicians the right to report that a minor is attempting to take an STD test, no state requires that parents be notified (except Iowa, in the event of a positive HIV result). If you think you may have contracted something or have had unprotected sex, it is recommended to get tested to safeguard your sexual health as well as any future partners.
How do you get tested?
The easiest way to get tested is to make an appointment with your healthcare provider. You can also go into any Planned Parenthood, clinic, or gynecologist office.
You must ask to get tested. Don’t assume if you’re doing a urine test or pap smear that they are testing you for STIs.
Why Planned Parenthood is a good option to get tested at?
Although the wait time for an appointment can be long, going to a Planned Parenthood is a good way to ensure your privacy is protected.  If you pay out of pocket, no information will go on your permanent health record.  You can use insurance at most Planned Parenthood centers as well. Teens, under age 18, get a 25% discount in many Planned Parenthood centers—check to confirm for your state. They also offer some free treatment options if positive.
What is an STD test?
STDs are usually tested in a few ways. It is important to ask for a full panel when you go in to have one done. For certain infections can only be tested with blood samples.
Your test may include a:
- physical exam — Your health care provider may look at your genitals and/or your anus for any signs of an infection, such as a rash, discharge, sores, or warts. For women, this exam can be similar to a pelvic exam.
- blood sample — Your provider may take a blood sample, either with a needle or by pricking the skin to draw drops of blood.
- urine sample — You may be asked to urinate into a special cup.
- discharge, tissue, cell, or saliva sample — Your provider will use a swab to collect samples that will be looked at under a microscope.
The results may not be available for several days or weeks depending on what lab they send to.
How much do they cost?
- For patients covered by health insurance, tests can be free. If not, typical out-of-pocket expenses consist of a laboratory copay of $10 to $30 per test.
- For patients not covered by health insurance, STD tests done at a doctor’s office usually cost $50 to $200 each, depending on the test. For patients who do not want to visit a doctor for testing, perhaps because they do not want the testing and results to become part of their permanent medical record, private STD testing companies that do not accept health insurance offer testing for about $50 to $150 per test, depending on the disease, or a package of seven to 10 STD tests, including HIV, for about $400.
How to protect your privacy?
In 1996, the U.S. Congress passed into law the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, otherwise known as HIPAA. One of the primary functions of HIPAA is to protect a patient’s right to privacy with respect to their medical records and medical history. Many STD testing facilities are not confidential so make sure to check that the one you are going to is. If you are on your parent’s insurance plan, ask the testing facility if your results will be made available to the policy owner. If so, you may opt to pay out of pocket if you do not feel you can have an open conversation with your parents. Make sure to do a check on the clinic you are going to. If the clinic is conservative and anti-abortion they may try to contact and notify your parents of your test. If you have ruled this out and the clinic is confidential, be honest with them. Ask as many questions as you can, this will insure your results go to you and only you.
What to expect?
Getting an STD test is pretty simple. You go into the clinic and whether or not you are using insurance, you will either pay the fee or a co-pay. They will take you into a back room and ask for a urine sample. And then they will draw your blood. If you are having symptoms for an STI, they may ask to do a physical exam and look at your genitals. An STI test is quick and you are out of there. The results can take a few days to a few weeks depending where you go.
Sources
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
World Health Organization