Making an appointment for an annual physical isn’t a big deal; you probably even receive reminders that you’re due for a routine checkup.
Things are a little different when speaking of your sexual health, as this is a topic that’s rarely discussed outside specific scenarios and contexts. Even health education classes often leave out decisive information that can help you avoid contracting a sexually transmitted disease.
Thankfully, you can keep up with your sexual health. Private labs like Priority STD Testing can fill gaps not covered during a regular physical exam.
However, if you’re not familiar with STD testing at a private lab, you probably have plenty of questions. Here’s a look at some common questions about private testing, along with their answers.
Do You Have to Make an Appointment for STD Testing?
This is one medical test where you don’t need to make an appointment. However, this also doesn’t mean you can stroll into any random lab. Priority STD Testing has over 4,000 labs nationwide. Finding a lab in your area is rarely an issue. However, you still can head to the lab without ordering the testing kit.
You can easily order the testing kit online, and you have a few options. Priority testing offers three options, a ten or twin-panel test. You can also choose an individual test. A single-panel test only checks for a specific sexually transmitted infection like Gonorrhea, Chlamydia, or Syphilis, to name a few examples. Which type of STD test is right for you depends on your unique concerns.
After ordering the test, you can head to the nearest Priority STD Testing Lab. You’ll go through the testing process and leave the kit at the lab. That’s all there is to the testing process. From there, you wait for the test results.
How Long Does It Take to Receive Your STD Test Results?
Worrying about a potentially positive STD test can take an emotional toll on anyone. Your life can seem like it’s on pause when you’re waiting for results. Every time you feel a little off, your stress levels skyrocket. Is this a symptom of an STD like Chlamydia or nothing to worry about?
Feeling this nervousness for more than a couple of hours isn’t something anyone wants to experience. The good news is Priority STD Testing offers same-day results. Yes, you may be able to receive your test results within twenty-four hours.
When you drop off your test sample, the lab creates an online portal and you receive an access code. The portal is where you receive your test results. All test results are updated every 24 hours. This even includes partial test results.
For example, you submitted a ten-panel test and only half of the results are in. You can check the completed portion of the test. The remaining information should be updated within 24 – 72 hours.
Are Your STD Test Results Confidential?
For many people, confidentiality is necessary. After all, you probably don’t want to advertise you’re being tested for a possible sexually transmitted disease. The stigma surrounding these types of infections can leave you feeling embarrassed and ashamed.
All test results are confidential at Priority STD Testing. Remember, you receive your results through a password-protected online portal. You don’t need to worry about embarrassing mail or flyers showing up at your home.
This graph shows Rates of Reported Cases by Race/Hispanic Ethnicity, United States, 2018–2022
With this being said, there can be exceptions to the testing lab’s confidentiality agreement. Some diseases like HIV must be reported to local and federal health agencies, and this is a law that testing facilities can’t ignore. This doesn’t mean that your name and positive diagnosis are made public, only that governmental healthcare agencies know that you’re positive for the sexually transmitted infection.
Can I Get Treatment From Priority STD Testing?
Testing positive for a sexually transmitted disease, no matter which one, commonly leads to questions about treatment. You’re probably wondering how you treat the infection and who to go to for the necessary healthcare. Priority STD Testing does provide treatment for some diseases, but it’s limited to Gonorrhea, Chlamydia, and Trichomoniasis.
You’ll probably need to turn to your primary healthcare provider for treatment for other types of STDs. If you don’t have a primary care physician, Priority Testing can make some recommendations. Also, learn about OS Watches to Boost Health by reading this article.
Ignoring a possible disease is never a good idea. Not only are you risking your health, but also that of your partner. With Priority STD Testing, being proactive about your sexual health has never been easier. Order your kit and stay on top of your overall health.
