STI and STD Testing and Treatment Fast, confidential and judgement-free care.

How are STI tests done?
STI testing (or STI screening) is typically not one single test, but a series of different tests to determine the presence of bacteria, viruses, or parasites such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, genital herpes, and HIV. Different types of tests are performed to determine specific diagnoses. Blood tests, for example, are performed to diagnose syphilis, hepatitis B, and herpes. Urine tests can diagnose trichomaniasis and chlamydia. Swab tests taken from the site of infection can diagnose HIV, chlamydia, gonorrhea, and herpes. If you are being tested, you may undergo one or more of these methods. How long does it take to get STI results?
The length of time to get the results of an STI test depends on the type of test performed.

Anyone who is sexually active is at risk for developing an STI. Because these infections don’t always cause noticeable symptoms, it is important to get tested yearly for certain infections such as HIV.

CareFirst Urgent care provides STI treatment and testing for common sexually transmitted infections that include:

1. 1. • Chlamydia
      • Gonorrhea
      • Syphilis
      • HIV
      • Herpes
      • Hepatitis B & C
      • Trichomoniasis

Whether you have had new or multiple partners, or simply want peace of mind we offer walk-in STI testing for patients and accept all insurances! Simply find an urgent care STI testing center near you using our location finder.

The timeframe to get tested for an STI depends on the type of infection and may take as long as 3 to 6 months in order to be detected, based on the incubation period which can vary

The accuracy of STI tests depends on when the test is taken after exposure. It is generally recommended to wait at least two weeks for most types of sexually transmitted infections in order to maximize the accuracy rate of the test.

You can get an STI test while on your period. Urine and blood tests are unaffected by menstrual blood. If a swab test is needed, it is possible that it can become contaminated by menstrual blood and may require a retest.

Some sexually transmitted infections do not show noticeable symptoms, which is why it is important to get screenings if you are sexually active. Symptoms may include:

• Unusual odor or discharge
• Painful or frequent urination
• Blisters or sores around the mouth
• Pain during sex
• Vaginal itching
• Sores or bumps in the infected area

Condoms greatly reduce—but do not eliminate—the risk of spreading or catching an STI. Certain sexually transmitted infections—such as herpes, HPV, and syphilis—can be contracted by skin-to-skin contact through areas a condom does not fully cover.

Many people with herpes have times when the virus is present without symptoms. That’s why it can sometimes be passed to partners even when there are no blisters. Some people carry and shed the herpes virus even when they don’t have blisters, itching, or pain. This is called asymptomatic shedding. After the first infection, herpes “hides” in nearby nerves. A swab test looks for the genetic material of the herpes virus. If the virus is present on the skin or in the vaginal fluid, the test can pick it up—even if you can’t see anything on the surface.

A blood vs. a swab test looks for herpes in different ways. The main difference is that a blood test is used if there are no active symptoms while a swab test looks for herpes if there are visible sores. As a result, a blood test cannot determine the site of the virus while the swab test can. Blood tests look for antibodies against HSV-1 or HSV-2, and certain tests can distinguish between them, however false positives can occur especially if the time since exposure is short.