Getting tested for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) is an important part of taking care of your health. Even if you don't have any symptoms or aren't considered to have a higher risk of becoming infected, it's important to get tested regularly. Most people get an STD at least once in their lives, and getting tested is the most responsible thing you can do to take care of your health. A healthcare provider can help determine if testing for STDs is recommended for your teen and which STI tests are most appropriate.
A healthcare provider can also provide more information about each type of test. Teens can consent to be tested for STDs in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, with some variations in the age at which they are allowed. Getting tested for STDs is the only way to know for sure if you have an STI and need treatment. There are several recommendations for STI testing that specifically focus on sexually active adolescent and adult women under 25. Most STDs don't cause any symptoms, so the only way to know for sure if you have an STI is to get tested.
Although the results of some STDs and STIs may take longer to receive than others, test results are usually delivered within one to ten days. In order to protect yourself from contracting an STI, it's important to use condoms consistently and correctly and get tested regularly. The following recommendations are aimed specifically at adolescents and describe what sexually transmitted diseases young people should be routinely tested for, who should be tested, and when they should be tested. It's very important to get tested if you've had unprotected sexual contact or if you discover that your partner has an STI. The process of getting tested for STDs is relatively simple. A healthcare provider will use a swab to gently remove secretions or cell samples from the penis, vagina, urethra, cervix, anus, or throat.
This sample will then be sent off to a lab for testing. Getting tested for STDs is an important part of taking care of your health. It's the only way to know for sure if you have an STD and need treatment. Talk to a doctor or nurse about getting tested if you've had any type of sexual contact that could transmit sexually transmitted diseases, such as vaginal, anal or oral sex.
