Recommendation

Does this gonorrhea test use blood or urine?

Our NAA gonorrhea test is a urine test. When you arrive at the testing center, the lab technician will collect a small sample for testing.

What do I need to do to prepare for the test?

Do not urinate at least one hour prior to arriving at the testing center. No other preparation is needed.

When is the right time to test for gonorrhea?

Everyone's body reacts differently to the Neisseria gonorrhoeae bacteria, so there is no exact incubation time. It is recommended to wait at least 2 to 6 days after exposure to the disease before testing. This allows the bacteria to fully develop for easier, more accurate detection. If you are treated for gonorrhea, re-testing is recommended two weeks after completion to confirm that you are cured.

What will the gonorrhea test results say?

If your results are negative, there were no signs of a gonorrhea infection. If your results are positive, the Neisseria gonorrhoeae bacteria was found in your urine. It is possible to test too early after being exposed to the infection. Testing is recommended at least 2 to 6 days after exposure to ensure accurate results.

Can gonorrhea be cured or treated?

Gonorrhea is curable and can be treated with antibiotics. If you test positive, our doctors are available for a free phone consultation to answer any questions you might have about your test results and available treatments. They can also prescribe medications to treat the gonorrhea infection at their discretion.

Who needs gonorrhea testing?

If you are sexually active, you are at risk of contracting gonorrhea. Untreated gonorrhea can cause permanent and serious health problems. Symptoms often include discharge, burning during urination, unusual sores, or rashes in the genital area. If you experience these symptoms you and your partner should get tested as soon as possible.

Does hepatitis A test use blood or urine?

Our hepatitis A test is a blood test. When you visit one of our testing centers, a lab technician will draw a small sample of blood.

What do I need to do to prepare for the test?

No fasting or any other preparation is necessary before visiting the testing center.

When is the right time to test for hepatitis A?

Our doctors recommend waiting at least 2-7 weeks to get tested because the hepatitis A virus (HAV) has an average incubation period of about 28 days. While HAV infection usually does not result in chronic liver disease or infection, it can prove fatal in rare cases (0.5%). In addition, 10%-15% of HAV patients may have a relapse of symptoms during the 6 months after treatment.

How did I contract hepatitis A?

HAV is commonly acquired via fecal to mouth contact (i.e., eating food or drinking water contaminated with feces). The virus can also be contracted through anal-oral contact during sex.

What will the test results say?

Your hepatitis A test result will say positive or negative. If your result is negative, there is no sign of hepatitis A. If positive, hepatitis A antibodies were found.

Can hepatitis A be cured or treated?

There is no cure for the hepatitis A virus. If you have contracted the virus, doctors will monitor your liver functions to ensure you are healing properly. To protect yourself against HAV, be sure to practice good personal hygiene and get a vaccination if you are at risk for infection. Hepatitis A vaccinations are recommended for all children one year and older, for persons who are at risk for hepatitis A-related complications, and for people who wish to obtain immunity from the virus.

Who needs hepatitis A testing?

Anyone can get hepatitis A in the United States, as there are no specific risk factors associated with the virus. However, among the groups who are most susceptible to contracting hepatitis A are men who have had sexual contact with other men, people who engage in oral to anal sex, illegal drug users, and international travelers who acquire the virus in countries where HAV is prevalent.

Does hepatitis B testing use blood or urine?

Our hepatitis B test is a blood test. Our laboratory technicians will draw a small sample during your visit to the testing center.

What do I need to do to prepare for the test?

Hepatitis B tests do not require any kind of preparation. No fasting is necessary.

When is the right time to test for hepatitis B?

Although it is possible to detect hepatitis B as early as 3 weeks after infection, our doctors recommend waiting at least 6 weeks to test for accurate results. Because hepatitis B does not often show symptoms, most people are unaware that they have the infection. When symptoms do appear, they do so from 6 weeks to 6 months after initial infection. Half of adults infected with hepatitis B do not show symptoms, while the rest may experience extreme tiredness, tenderness and pain in the lower abdomen, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, pain in the joints, headache, fever and hives. Consider getting tested if you have most of these symptoms or have had contact with someone who has chronic Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) infection.

What will the test results say?

If your result is negative, it means there is no sign of hepatitis B in your blood. If positive, hepatitis B was found and our doctors are available to speak with you to discuss your test results or answer any questions you may have about your test.

Can hepatitis B be cured or treated?

While there is no cure for hepatitis B, most (about 90%) of adults with an acute HBV infection will clear the virus from their systems without the need for medication. If you have tested positive for hepatitis B for longer than six months, you have a chronic infection and should make an appointment with a local physician. Once the status of your infection has been determined, you can begin treatment to slow the progression of the virus and prevent extensive damage to your liver. Most people with a chronic hepatitis B still live long, healthy lives.

Who needs hepatitis B testing?

Hepatitis B is a highly contagious disease that affects both men and women. Testing for the disease is recommended for those who are at risk of coming in contact with the virus. This includes anyone who has used or shared needles during intravenous drug use, had unprotected sex or lives with an infected partner. Consider hepatitis B testing as part of routine STD screening, especially if you have had unprotected sex with someone whose STD status you do not know or are concerned about.

What is hepatitis C?

Hepatitis C is a contagious liver infection caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV). It is the most common chronic blood-borne infection in the United States with about 3.2 million people testing positive. Hepatitis C is spread through contact with contaminated blood during intravenous drug use sharing of needles) or in healthcare settings by health professionals. HCV is rarely spread through sexual intercourse. It is possible to have Hepatitis C and not know it because early stages of the infection could be asymptomatic (no symptoms) or show mild fever . It takes 8-9 weeks for HCV antibodies to develop in the body.

How do you test for hepatitis C?

Our FDA-approved Hepatitis C Antibody Test is a blood test. As the industry "gold standard" for hepatitis C tests, it searches for antibodies released by the body to fight the hepatitis C virus (HCV). Our doctors recommend this hepatitis C antibody blood test for routine HCV screenings for acute (new) and chronic (long-term) infections.

How is hepatitis C transmitted?

Hepatitis C is transmitted through contact with contaminated blood mostly through intravenous drug use or exposure in healthcare settings. It is sometimes spread through oral, anal or vaginal sex as well as blood transfusions and organ transplants.

How soon can I get tested for hepatitis C after exposure?

Hepatitis C antibody tests can detect the presence of HCV 8-9 weeks after exposure. Our doctors recommend giving your body enough time to develop antibodies to the hepatitis C virus before taking the test to eliminate any chances of false positive results.

What do I need to do to prepare for a hepatitis C test

You do not need to do anything or fast to prepare for the hepatitis C test. Our testing center needs only a small amount of blood. See our Hepatitis C Testing Information.

What is herpes 1?

Herpes 1 (Oral Herpes), also called herpes labialis, is an infection of the lips, mouth, or gums caused by the herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1). It causes small,painful blisters commonly called cold sores or fever blisters. Herpes 1 commonly infects most people before the age of 20. Majority of infected adults have minimal or no symptoms from herpes 1.

How do you test for herpes 1?

STDcheck.com {{ trans('global.center.full_name') }}s use a small blood sample to test for herpes 1. Our doctors use the type-specific herpes blood test recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This test differentiates between type 1 herpes (HSV-1) and type 2 herpes (HSV-2). Our test looks for antibodies to the HSV-1 virus in the blood.

How is herpes 1 transmitted?

Herpes 1 virus (HSV type 1 virus) is transmitted through kissing or close contact with an infected person. You can also acquire herpes 1 by touching or coming in contact with infected objects such as razors, towels, dishes, and other personal items.

How soon can I get tested for herpes 1 after exposure?

Our doctors recommend testing for herpes 1 virus 4-6 weeks after exposure. Herpes 1 antibodies can take from 2 weeks to 6 months to develop. Though herpes 1 is not a life threatening disease, our physicians recommend regular testing to avoid blindness that could result when herpes 1 infection moves from the mouth to the eye.

What do I need to do to prepare for a herpes 1 test?

No preparation or fasting is needed for herpes type 1 test. See our Herpes 1 Testing Information.

HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Syndrome) is the virus that causes AIDS. HIV targets and destroys specific cells of the immune system called CD4 cells or T cells, making it hard for the body to fight common diseases. Unlike some other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), it is impossible to get rid of HIV. Once you have HIV infection, you have the disease for life. Doctors cannot cure the infection but antiretroviral therapies are available to control the disease. With proper medical care, someone diagnosed with HIV can live a normal life.

How do you test for HIV?

HIV 4th gen testing should list testing is looking for antibodies in the blood, and is conclusive by 97%-99% accuracy following 3 weeks exposure and 99% accurate following 12 weeks post-exposure.

How is HIV transmitted?

HIV is transmitted mainly through sexual intercourse. The virus is spread through blood, semen (cum), pre-seminal fluid (pre-cum) and rectal fluids. It can also be transmitted from mother to infant through breast milk. Having unprotected sex with someone who has HIV exposes you to the disease. HIV infection risk is highest among those that engage in anal sex followed by vaginal sex and intravenous drug users who share needles with others.

How soon can I get tested for HIV after exposure?

It depends on whether you are taking the HIV Antibody test with Western Blot confirmation or the HIV RNA test. Wait at least 25 days to 2 months for HIV antibodies to develop in the blood before taking the HIV Antibody Test. If you want to take the HIV RNA test, wait 9-11 days before taking the test. Our FDA-approved HIV RNA test results are conclusive in 9-11 days after possible exposure.

What do I need to do to prepare for a HIV test?

You do not need to do anything or fast to prepare for our FDA-approved HIV antibody test with Western Blot exam or HIV RNA test. See our HIV Testing information.

What is syphilis?

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by the Treponema pallidum bacterium. Syphilis can cause long-term complications and even death if not treated properly. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports about 56,000 new syphilis infections annually in the United States, of which 13,970 are primary and secondary (P&S) infections . Syphilis symptoms can look like many other diseases and the infection progresses in stages if not treated early. The first stage of syphilis is known as chancre which occurs on the genitals, vagina, anus or in the rectum. This chancre appears where the syphilis virus entered the body. Without treatment the person progresses to the second stage which begins with skin rashes and mucous membrane lesions or sores that are usually found in the mouth, vagina or anus. During the last and most dangerous latent stage, syphilis becomes asymptomatic (shows no symptoms) if the infected person does not receive treatment. This period lasts for years and could result in serious organ damage and even death.

How do you test for syphilis?

STDcheck.com tests for syphilis using the FDA-cleared Rapid Plasma Reagin (RPR) test. This RPR test looks for antibodies developed by the body to combat the syphilis virus. A confirmatory test is performed if the initial test comes back positive.

How is syphilis transmitted?

Syphilis is transmitted through direct contact with a syphilis sore which can be a chancre or a lesion on the body of an infected person. Chancres are usually present on external genitals, vagina, anus, or in the rectum of an infected person. They can also be found inside the mouth or on the lips. The easiest way to contract syphilis is by having unprotected vaginal, anal, and oral sex with an infected person. It can be transmitted by an infected mother to her baby during pregnancy.

How soon can I get tested for syphilis after exposure?

Our doctors recommend syphilis testing 3 - 6 weeks after possible exposure.

What do I need to do to prepare for a syphilis test?

No preparation or fasting is necessary to take the syphilis RPR test through STDcheck.com. See our Syphilis Testing information.