Who Should be Tested for STIs and How Often?

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) — also called sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) — are relatively common in the U.S. Experts estimate that one in five Americans has this kind of health condition on any given day. 

The team at Comprehensive Primary Care offers testing for sexually transmitted infections as part of our preventive care. If you want to be proactive about protecting your own health and the health of any of your sexual partners, don’t hesitate to visit us at any of our offices, located in Lawrenceville, Suwanee, and Snellville, Georgia. 

When to schedule an STI test

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends STI testing for all Americans. Everyone should get tested for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) at least once in their lifetime, for example.

Beyond that, certain activities and conditions warrant testing, per the CDC. For women, the general recommendation is:

• Annual gonorrhea and chlamydia testing for sexually active women under 25
• The same yearly testing for women over 25 who have new partners/multiple partners
• Syphilis, HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C testing for all pregnant women
• Chlamydia and gonorrhea testing for at-risk pregnant women

For sexually active gay and bisexual men, the experts at the CDC recommend:

• Testing for syphilis, chlamydia, and gonorrhea at least once a year 
• HIV testing at least once a year
• Hepatitis C testing at least once a year if you’re living with HIV

We can help you figure out the proper testing cadence for you based on your sexual activity. If you have oral or anal sex, for example, we might also recommend throat or rectal testing. 

Our team here at Comprehensive Primary Care handles all of this discreetly and sensitively. You never need to be nervous to tell your provider about your sexual activity. We encourage you to be honest with us so we can help you be proactive about protecting your health — and the health of your sexual partner(s). 

What to expect with STI testing

We use different types of testing to detect different STIs. Chlamydia and gonorrhea are usually tested with a swab or urine test, for example, while HIV testing requires a small sample of your blood. Your provider explains the test to you based on our recommendations for you. 

With testing at our office, you can rest easy that it will be quick and discreet. If you’re worried you might have an STI and want to find out quickly, we even offer same-day appointments. 

And here’s the good news: most STIs are curable, usually with a round of antibiotics.  

To figure out if you need any form of STI test — and to get tested from the convenience of any of our offices — call the office nearest you or use our online patient scheduling portal today.