We accept Medicare & Medicaid
Serenity By A Dr. Sareen

Services

STI Testing: Who Should Be Tested, What to Expect and Next Steps

You do not need symptoms, or a crisis, to ask about STI testing. Many infections cause nothing noticeable, so the only way to know is to be tested. Serenity By A Dr. Sareen sees adults at its Loxahatchee, West Palm Beach, and Belle Glade offices to talk privately about risk, decide which tests make sense, and explain the results and next steps.

We accept Medicare & Medicaid

What it involves

MedlinePlus explains that sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are infections passed from one person to another through sexual contact, usually vaginal, oral or anal sex. Some, like herpes and HPV, spread by skin-to-skin contact. There are more than 20 types, including chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, HIV, genital herpes, genital warts, trichomoniasis and pubic lice. They can be caused by bacteria, viruses or parasites.

Who this is for

  • Sexually active adults who have never talked to a provider about their STI risk.
  • Patients with a new partner, more than one partner, or a partner who has been told they have an STI.
  • People with discharge, sores, burning with urination or genital itching who want to know the cause.
  • Anyone who wants a private, judgment-free conversation before starting or changing a relationship.

What to expect

  • A private conversation about your partners, your symptoms and which kinds of sex you have, so testing matches your actual risk
  • An exam when you have symptoms such as sores, discharge or pain
  • Urine samples, swabs or blood tests, depending on which infections are being checked
  • A plan for results, treatment if needed, and a discussion of when your partner should be tested too

Why no symptoms does not mean no infection

MedlinePlus states that STIs do not always cause symptoms, or may cause only mild ones, so it is possible to have an infection and not know it. Even without symptoms an infection can still be harmful and can be passed on during sex. That is why a provider asks about risk rather than waiting for a complaint. When symptoms do show up, they can include unusual discharge, sores or warts in the genital area, painful or frequent urination, itching, or blisters in or around the mouth.

How testing is done

According to MedlinePlus, some STIs are found during a physical exam or with lab tests. Some tests examine a sore or fluid swabbed from the vagina, penis or anus under a microscope, and blood tests can diagnose other types. For chlamydia, the topic page says a provider may ask for a urine sample or use a cotton swab to collect a sample from the vagina. Blood work is among the services the practice lists, and the complete blood count guide shows how a blood draw is explained at a visit.

Who should be tested and how often

MedlinePlus advises seeing a provider for a test if you have symptoms or a partner with an STI. For chlamydia it lists people at higher risk who should be checked every year, including sexually active women 25 and younger, older women with new or multiple partners or a partner who has an STI, and men who have sex with men. Pregnant women are advised to be tested at the first prenatal visit. If you are unsure which group you fall into, say so at the visit and let the provider sort it out. Screening questions are part of ordinary preventive care, and a primary care doctor in West Palm Beach can talk through which tests fit your age and history in a private visit.

What untreated infection can do

Untreated STIs can cause serious problems. MedlinePlus says chlamydia that spreads in women can cause pelvic inflammatory disease, which may lead to long-term pelvic pain, infertility and ectopic pregnancy, and it adds that STIs can be passed to a baby during pregnancy or childbirth. Women who have had chlamydia more than once face a higher risk of reproductive complications. Pain that lingers in the pelvis is covered in the endometriosis guide, and unusual discharge is covered in the vaginal infection and itching guide.

Treatment and protecting a partner

Antibiotics can treat STIs caused by bacteria or parasites, according to MedlinePlus. There is no cure for infections caused by viruses, but antiviral medicines can often ease symptoms and lower the chance of spreading the infection. A provider decides which medicine fits the test result. MedlinePlus also says to ask how long to avoid sex after treatment, so you and your partner do not pass an infection back and forth. Using a condom every time, having fewer partners and testing before a new relationship all lower risk, though condoms do not remove it.

Can I get tested for STIs at a primary care office?

Yes, the first step is a visit. A provider at Serenity By A Dr. Sareen can talk through your risk, examine you if you have symptoms, and order the lab tests that fit, then go over the results with you. Severe pelvic or testicular pain, high fever or trouble urinating should not wait for a routine appointment.

Does Serenity By A Dr. Sareen accept Medicare and Medicaid for sti testing guide?

Yes. Serenity By A Dr. Sareen accepts Medicare and Medicaid, along with major commercial insurance, at our South Florida locations. Call your nearest office and our staff will confirm your specific plan and any coverage details before scheduling your sti testing guide visit.

What are your office hours?

We're open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with same-day appointments and walk-ins welcome at our Loxahatchee, West Palm Beach, and Belle Glade offices. Call ahead of your visit if you'd like to confirm availability before you come in to see us.

Who is sti testing guide for?

Sexually active adults who have never talked to a provider about their STI risk. Our family and internal medicine team can talk through whether this fits your situation when you call to schedule a visit at one of our South Florida offices.

Will my STI test results be private?

Medical visits are confidential under federal privacy law, and results are shared with you rather than with employers or family. Ask the front desk or your provider how you would like to be contacted, and call the office with any concern about who sees your records before you come in.

Do I need to wait after sex to be tested?

Sometimes. Some infections do not show up on a test right away, and symptoms may not appear until several weeks later, as MedlinePlus notes for chlamydia. Tell the provider the date of your last exposure, and they can say whether a repeat test later is a good idea.

Sources

Available at all locations

Schedule a Visit

Contact your nearest Serenity By A Dr. Sareen office to schedule a private visit about STI testing or symptoms.