Things to know before getting an STD test in Los Angeles

In case you are sexually active with multiple partners, you are at risk of STDs or sexually transmitted diseases. According to a doctor of STD test Los Angeles, you must get this test even if you are not experiencing symptoms of such a disease. It's because herpes, gonorrhea as well as Chlamydia do not cause symptoms.

How must you prepare for an STD test?

According to STD testing near me, during the examination, there will be a review of your medical history. Similarly, a pelvic examination will also be made. Though STDs do not cause many symptoms, you must keep a note of any minor symptoms you experienced over the previous months before the test.

This will help the doctors to determine what kind of STD you have. You can therefore share with your healthcare provider if-

1. You had any symptoms, and what were they?
2. In which part of your body did you experience the symptoms?
3. What type of symptoms were they?
4. Duration of the symptoms

When must you have an STD test in Los Angeles?

Anyone who might be experiencing symptoms of an STD must undergo testing to prevent any health complications in the future and to avoid passing any infection. You must reach out to your doctor and schedule any rapid testing or free STD testing in Los Angeles if you experience the following symptoms.

• Pain at the time of sexual intercourse
• Abnormal discharge from the anus, vagina, and penis
• Sores, rashes, and bumps near the genital area
• Burning or itching in the vagina or the penis
• An odor from the vagina
• Lower and pelvic abdominal pain

Hence, Los Angeles std testing recommends getting tested for-

• People who have many sexual partners
• People cheated on by their partners
• Women who are pregnant
• People who are initiating any form of sexual relationship

Do you need to avoid anything before getting an STD test?

You must not avoid food or take any other measures before getting an STD test. However, if you have to give off a urine sample, you must stop peeing for two hours before the test. The test will check for the DNA of an STD organism. If you pee just before the test, you will be clearing your urethra of the build-up of DNA. The urine at the start carries the maximum DNA.

Why must you get tested even if you do not have symptoms?

As mentioned before, you cannot always tell you have STDs as they do not always cause symptoms. So, to ensure that you do not have an STD is by get a proper STD test.

In case you had unprotected contact sexually, or if you come to know that your partner has STD, you must get your test done. STDs can even spread to other people you come in contact with.

To keep yourself healthy, STD testing is a must. These tests are often free and painless.

What are the different types of STD tests?

Your doctor will prescribe you a particular type of STD test, depending on your symptoms. If the doctor thinks that you have been infected by several STDs, they may ask you to get a couple of tests done to determine the best plan of treatment. The different kinds of STD tests are as follows.

1. Urine test

A urine test can detect bacterial STDs like gonorrhea and Chlamydia.

2. Genital and oral swabs

It is like a urine test, and a genital and oral swab can check for gonorrhea and Chlamydia.

3. Pap test

Pap tests can determine and check human papillomavirus or HPV.

4. Blood test

A blood test with a finger and arm prick can detect STDs such as HIV or human immunodeficiency virus, herpes, and syphilis.

What comes next after getting an STD test?

STD testing can work for incurable infections and help to save lives. The benefits of getting an STD test are as follows.

• A doctor can treat an STD early if it is detected early.
• Without knowing, a person can get an STD. Hence, testing must be a priority to determine the type of STD.
• Getting detected for an STD will prevent you from spreading it to other partners.
• If you have an untreated STD, it can cause serious health issues such as pelvic inflammatory disease and cancer.

At what age should you get an STD test?

• If you are between thirteen and sixty-four years old, you should get an HIV test once.
• Also, if you are sexually active and under twenty-five years old, you must get a test for gonorrhea or Chlamydia once each year.
• If you are over twenty-five years old and have several sexual partners, you must get tested for gonorrhea and Chlamydia once each year.
• If you share needles or have unprotected sex, you must get tested for an STD.

We have discussed above all the things you must do before an STD test. So, if you are sexually active, get your STD test in Los Angeles today.