STD Testing and Treatment – What Should I Expect?
You’re a little concerned. You recently had sex and were relieved when you started your period. But now you’ve noticed an itch, or maybe you’re just worried your partner might have passed on a little something more than you bargained for. You heard from a friend that Collage offers STD testing and treatment for both men and women, but you’re not sure what to expect and you’re hesitant to make an appointment. Well, we hope this post answers some of your concerns and lets you know we’d love to help you.
Do I need STD Testing?
If you’re sexually active, the answer is yes. STDs are so common! It’s estimated that 1 in 2 sexually active young people will have an STD by age 25. So if you’ve been sexually active you’re at risk. This includes oral sex, vaginal sex, or anal sex. One of the reasons so many young people have STDs is because many people don’t show any symptoms and they go undetected. This allows someone to be infected and not know it, passing on the STD to new partners. And if you have an STD and don’t get treated, you’re putting yourself and others at risk for additional health issues that may affect both men and women. Some of these risks can include infertility, an increased risk of cancer, as well as a higher chance of getting additional STDs. It’s also important to know that most doctors don’t include STD testing in your annual exam unless you specifically ask for it. And there isn’t one test you can run to detect all STDs.
How Does Collage do STD testing?
Collage offers testing and treatment for two of the most common bacterial STDs – chlamydia and gonorrhea. We try to make the testing appointment as easy as possible for you. We know this isn’t something you’re looking forward to and we want to make you as comfortable as possible. You’ll need to bring a photo ID and there will be a little paperwork to fill out, but since all of our services are complimentary you won’t have to deal with insurance forms. We’ll get a medical history and have you provide a urine sample. You’ll have an opportunity to share how you’re feeling with the medical professional and ask any questions you may have about STDs or other sexual health issues.
How soon will I know my results?
It typically takes us 5-7 days to get your results back from the lab. We’ll give you a call when we receive your results, and schedule you for a follow-up appointment if you test positive for chlamydia and/or gonorrhea. If you test negative, we can go over your results over the phone.
What if I’m positive?
We’ll have you come in to be treated. The treatment will depend on whether you’re positive for chlamydia, gonorrhea, or both. Once we administer the antibiotic, we’ll ask you to stay for a little bit to make sure you don’t have a reaction to the medication. We’ll also recommend that you refrain from any form of sex for 7-10 days from the date or treatment to prevent infecting anyone else. It’s also recommended that you inform any partners to come in to get tested.
Contact Us
If you need to get tested or have any questions, feel free to contact us at either our Kearney or Grand Island locations.
