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You don’t want to pass a sexually transmitted disease (STD) on to any of your partners. But, what happens if you don’t know that you have one in the first place? If you’re sexually active, you probably need STD testing.
At First Response Urgent Care in Brooklyn, New York, our team provides accurate and nonjudgemental STD testing to new and existing patients from this NYC borough. How frequently should you get tested? Let’s take a closer look.
You might not be sure if you need STD testing, much less how frequently. Many people who should be seeking out testing don’t follow through. Getting tested is a way to responsibly protect your health and the health of your sexual partners.
Who needs STD testing? If you’re sexually active in any way, you should probably get tested. Certain behaviors and risk factors mean that you should plan on more frequent testing. But, even with lower risks, you still need at least some testing. STDs like HIV/AIDs, chlamydia, gonorrhea, or syphilis aren’t conditions you want to risk carrying uninformed, or passing to others.
If you’re married or in an exclusive relationship, should you still get tested? The answer is yes. Cheating is always a possibility, and could expose you to STDs without your knowledge. Even without any infidelity, you or your partner could have been carrying an STD without being aware of it. Testing is the only way to be sure.
The latest recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) help us advise you on the best testing frequency for your situation. Information like your age, current health, sexual orientation, and sexual history and common sexual practices may make a difference in how often you should get tested.
If you’re between the ages of 13-64, you should be tested for HIV at least once. You may also need one-time testing early in a pregnancy to check for HIV, hepatitis, and syphilis.
Women under the age of 25 need gonorrhea and chlamydia testing once a year. After the age of 25, continue to plan on annual testing, especially if you have a new sexual partner, are active with multiple partners, or know that one of your partners has an STD.
Men who have sex with women may benefit from annual STD screenings as well. Men who have sex with men need to be tested for syphilis, chlamydia, and gonorrhea at least once a year.
Living with risk factors like a partner with an STD, multiple or anonymous sexual partners, or an HIV diagnosis may mean that you need STD testing more frequently, about every 3-6 months. If you have sex without barrier protection like condoms or dental dams, you should plan on more frequent testing, as unprotected sex puts you at higher risk of contracting an STD.
Additionally, any time you notice symptoms that could mean you have an STD, get tested right away. Watch out for unusual vaginal or penile discharge, genital sores, or painful urination, and seek testing if these symptoms appear.
With honesty and proactive testing, you can reduce your risk of contracting an STD, or passing one on to a partner. The team at First Response Urgent Care are here to help. Schedule an appointment at our nearest Brooklyn location online or over the phone today.
