Getting tested for an STD is an important step for many adults to take. At MediCenter in Kenai, AK, your family doctor will make sure you thoroughly understand the process. At this urgent care and family medicine clinic, they believe the more you understand about the procedure, the more comfortable you will be. That’s why they’re happy to share the following essential information about STD testing.

What to Expect During STD Testing: A Family Doctor Explains

The Process

The appointment usually begins with an interview session between you and the doctor. They’ll ask about your sexual history, and what—if any—conditions you suspect you may have.

Be honest during this portion. The doctor will not judge you. They just want to get a better idea of your overall risk factors. They may also conduct a basic physical examination to assess your general health.

Options

Depending on the specific disease you are being tested for, the actual tests you will undergo tend to vary. For an HIV test, the team at your family medicine clinic will try to make the process as confidential as possible. Although all STD and STI testing is technically confidential, they understand patients are especially interested in being discrete about being tested for HIV.

Fortunately, because the test only involves a blood test or swab from the inside of the mouth, it’s easy to do this. To diagnose conditions like chlamydia and gonorrhea, they’ll swab the genital area or take a urine sample.

The way your family doctor tests for genital herpes depends on whether or not you are experiencing symptoms. If you aren’t experiencing any, they will do a blood test. If you are, they’ll take a swab from the affected area.

HPV is another one of the more common STDs, and the first step in diagnosing it tends to involve a Pap test and visual diagnosis. If these come back negative, they may still conduct a biopsy to confirm there is no chance of cervical cancer.

Diagnosis

If you are diagnosed with an STD, your doctor will likely refer you to a specialist. If the infection isn’t severe, they’ll recommend treatment options. Those may consist of taking prescription medication or refraining from sexual activity until the infection goes away. Depending on the nature of your infection, follow-up appointments may be necessary.

If you suspect you have an STD or STI, get in touch with your family doctor at MediCenter in Kenai, AK. They’ll provide you with the information you need while making sure you feel comfortable and your information is confidential. Contact the office online to learn more about becoming a patient, or call (907) 283-9118.