What do std swabs test for

Many STIs are easily treated with antibiotics. Other STIs are treated with creams or tablets. Some STIs can be treated but not cured. This is for people who don't have any signs of infection and who do not need to see a nurse or doctor. If you are able to take your own STI test, you may take the test samples yourself in the clinic bathroom and give them to the receptionist or at the laboratory.

A nurse will contact you within a week with your results. The health care provider will place two gloved, lubricated fingers into your vagina, and will gently press on your lower belly with the other hand. You may feel pressure, but it shouldn't be painful. Vaginal and cervical : A sterile q-tip is used to take a swab from the cervix or vagina. This test is done if you have had vaginal sex or notice changes such as increased fluid or a change in fluid from your vagina. A Pap test may be done at the same time.

Urethral penis : A swab is usually done when there is visible discharge from the penis. A sterile q-tip is used to take a swab from the discharge. This test is most accurate if you have not passed urine peed for 2 hours beforehand.

Anal : A sterile q-tip is gently inserted into the anus and a swab is taken from the inside of the rectum. An anal swab is taken if you have had anal sex or notice changes such as pus, pain or bleeding from the rectum. Throat : A sterile q-tip is used to swab the throat. A throat swab is taken if you have had oral sex or a sore throat. Some clinics will give results by phone and others will require you to come back for results.

Many offices and clinics will only call you if the tests show that you have an STI. Learn more about getting your results. The best way to find out if you have an STI is to get tested. Find a clinic below. Health topics. Sexual health. Get tested for STIs. Types of STI tests. Learn about the types of STI tests, what to expect, and where and how to get tested.

The good news is most STIs are treatable, and many are curable. What to expect. Chlamydia: Swab of genital area or urine sample Gonorrhea: Swab of genital area or urine sample HIV: Blood test or finger prick Genital herpes no symptoms : Blood test ask for a type-specific IgG test, not an IgM test Genital herpes with symptoms : Swab of the affected area and blood test Syphilis: Blood test, or sample taken from a sore Trichomoniasis Trich : Swab of the infected area, a visual exam or a sample of discharge HPV genital warts : Visual exam HPV cervical cancer : A sample is taken from the cervix as with a Pap test.

What are reportable STIs? HIV anonymous testing. There are a number of different STIs. To learn which ones you should be tested for, talk with your doctor. They may encourage you to be tested for one or more of the following:. Ask which tests they plan to do and why. Taking care of your sexual health is nothing to be shy about.

The more honest you are, the better treatment you can receive. Your doctor should screen for STIs, among other things, at your first prenatal visit. In particular, you should always tell them if you engage in anal sex. Your doctor might recommend an anal Pap smear to screen for precancerous or cancerous cells, which are linked to the human papillomavirus HPV. Several STIs are notifiable diseases. That means your doctor is legally required to report positive results to the government.

The government tracks information about STIs to inform public health initiatives. Notifiable STIs include:.

Depending on your sexual history, your doctor may order a variety of tests to check you for STIs, including:. Most STIs can be tested by using urine or blood samples. Your doctor can order urine or blood tests to check for:. It may also take a month or longer after being exposed to certain STIs for blood tests to be reliable.

If HIV is contracted, for example, it can take a couple of weeks to a few months for tests to detect the infection.