Frequently Asked Questions
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- How often should I get tested?
- If you are sexually active you should get tested at least once a year even while in a monogamous relationship. Different peple have different risks. You can talk to your doctor or one of our counselors to find a testing schedule that is right for you. If you have symptoms you should make an appointment right away.
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- How long does a testing session take?
- You should plan on arriving for your appointment 10 to 15 minutes early to fill out paperwork. Most testing appointments take up to 30 minutes.
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- How much does it cost?
- All of the tests that we conduct in office are free.
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- Is testing confidential?
- Yes, testing and everything that we discuss during a test is confidential.
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- What is a window period?
- The Window period refers to the time frame between when you are exposed to an STI and how soon after exposure, our test will detect the STI in your body. For example, if you had sex with someone today, our test would not be able to show you an accurate HIV reading until 1-2 months from the day you had sex. To see what the window period is for each of the tests that we offer, please refer to our STI page.
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- How soon after being exposed should i get tested?
- HIV can take up to three months for a final positive result, although 95% of tests will be accurate after six weeks. It can take up to three months for enough copies of the virus (known as viral load) to accumulate in your blood and be detected through a blood test.
Chlamydia can be tested for after a few days but results will be most accurate after 2 weeks.
Gonorrhea results are most accurate after seven days. While you can get tested earlier, there is a chance of a false negative if not enough bacteria or virus has accumulated from the infection to be detected on a test. Hepatitis has a window period of two and four weeks. Syphilis has window period between three and four weeks.
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- Can I have an STI and not know it?
- Yes. Even if you don't have symptoms, you may still have a sexually transmitted infection (STI). HIV, Hep-C, syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia can all live in your body without you knowing it.
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- What does testing involve?
- For the HIV, Syphillis, and Hep-C test a small amount of blood will be collected from a fingerprick. For Gonorrhea and Chlamydia tests you will be asked to go to the bathroom and provide a urine sample or self-administer an oral, anal, or vaginal swab (a small q-tip that gets rubbed around the specified area).
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- How long until I receive my results?
- You will receive results for HIV, Syphillis, and Hep-C on the same day as your test. Results for Chlamydia and Gonorrhea will take around two weeks.
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- Will I have to take my clothes off?
- You will not have to take your clothes off. Swabs are self-administered and we will send you to the bathroom to do that.
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- Why should I get tested?
- People get tested for many different reasons. Some people get tested if they are concerned that they have been exposed to an STI, they may go annually or semi-annually just for peace of mind or wanting to be on top of their sexual health, and some people get tested when they are starting a new relationship or ending a relationship.
Do you have other questions?
Please contact us with any questions that you have. You can give us a call or submit a question through our contact us form by clicking the button below.