HIV/STD testing...help!?
Question:
I'm also thinking about an hiv/std test provided by my local health department. I in no way care that its gonna cost est. $40.00 here for the test and another $20-30 a month for the pills because I want to be protectected.
But I was wondering a few things about it before I go in so I know what do expect.
first-what kind of test is it? a urine or blood or both?
second-how long does it take to get the results back?
third-does it hurt in anyway?
forth-what do they do?
Anyways, thanks for the help guys! and please no rude comments!
Answers:
First things first, you can get tested for free. Find your local planned parenthood at www.plannedparenthood.com also there are several free clinics that will provide free testing and oral contraceptive. HIV tests are done by blood testing. This can pinch a bit but its pretty quick. Other STD tests are done through urine. Results are usually in within 1-2 weeks.
If you go to get a pap smear, they will automatically do an STI test. It's basically just a q-tip and they swipe your vagina/cervical area. You will only find out results if your come up positive... otherwise, they don't bother to call, but I'd assume it would take only a few days. It isn't hurt at all. A pap smear, they actually open your vagina open with a device, but with this they just swipe and they're done.
I also wanted to say that I really commend and respect you for wanting to protect yourself. Share your concerns over your irregular periods and they'll be able to help you out.
Good luck!
For HIV and hepatitis (and syphilis I think!), it's a blood test. They take a little vial of blood from the vein in the crook of your elbow. It hurts a bit, like any needle, but not alot! It takes a couple weeks to get the results. If you look around there might be a clinic providing free/anonymous HIV testing, btw.
hiv test is a blood draw.
std is like a normal papsmear. they will make u put ur legs in stirrups (wide apart) with a sheet over you and the doctor will sit in a chair and use different tools to look inside and get samples to send to a research lab to see if you are healthy. i think std tests only test for ghonorrhea and chlamidia. i think there is a special herpes test if u request it, but if you have herpes i think it is supposed to be obvious. if you have had sex before the pap should not hurt at all, if you havent had sex then they probably will use pediatric size tools to try not to hurt you. they get your samples from two parts of the cervix (im pretty sure) the outer side and then inside.
well i had a test doen wheni wsa pregnant b/c they check for everything anyways its a blood test and they make you take a pee test just to make sure your not pregnant . you should look for a free clinic and see if there is one around your area that way you donate money and save some also
Once on birth control you will be required to go for regular pap smears, usually once a year, some of the tests they take from that. HIV tests and some STD tests are done by blood samples, usually just one vial is needed. I remeber when I went I had to "pee in a cup", but that in itself is simple enough and they will provide instructions as to what they want from that. Usually they need a week, but you can always ask how long for the results and whom you would contact to get them, because most doctors will only call with bad news.
Simple as that.
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