Fast STD Testing –– What to Do When You Need Help ASAP

Fast STD Testing –– What to Do When You Need Help ASAP

Time is of the essence when it comes to identifying, diagnosing, and treating STDs. Indeed, the sooner diagnosis occurs, the sooner treatment can follow. To use an extreme example, diagnosing HIV early in its development could potentially save a person’s life. As such, it’s understandable why so many people value fast STD testing. If you’re concerned about your wellness, it’s natural to want answers as fast as possible. Here, we’ll explain what you can do if you need STD testing done right away:

STD Testing Options

In general, there are three places that individuals can go for STD testing: their doctor’s office, a free clinic (Planned Parenthood), or an independent testing center. The problem is that it can be very difficult to schedule a doctor’s appointment at a moment’s notice. Depending on your doctor, and a number of other factors, it could be several weeks before they can see you. For reference, the average American waits 21 days to get an appointment with a doctor. What’s more, not every doctor’s office has the latest STD testing equipment and capabilities. So it could take even longer for them to secure the proper equipment. 

Similarly, free clinics tend to have long lines and may not be able to provide service in a timely fashion. In fact, visitors to Planned Parenthood can expect to wait in even longer lines and pay higher fees after the organization opted out of a federal program in August 2019.  

If you absolutely have to get tested today, then find an independent clinic near you.

“Instant” STD Tests

Thanks to breakthroughs in testing technology, it’s now possible for individuals to test for certain STDs through at-home tests. Not only are these tests convenient, but they’re also accurate. However, it’s important to recognize the difference between legitimate at-home tests and less reputable methods. It takes labs several days –– at minimum –– to diagnose an STD. So don’t trust any tests that promise to deliver “instant” results. In addition, at-home testing is limited. While you may be able to accurately test for chlamydia or gonorrhea with a sample taken at home, you won’t know about the presence of other STDs through those tests. Lastly, it’s important to remember that at-home STD tests require diagnosis in a lab. So they won’t be much faster than other testing methods.

How Long Does it Take STD Test Results to Come Back?

Accurate STD test results take time. For tests that require a urine sample, most of the time medical professionals will be able to make an accurate diagnosis within 1-3 days. This sort of testing includes infections like chlamydia or gonorrhea. For STDs that require a blood test –– HIV, syphilis, herpes –– it may take several weeks to produce an accurate diagnosis. 

Because STDs may take several weeks to identify, it’s important to get tested as soon as you become concerned about your well-being. The tests themselves are simple and painless. And, the sooner you get tested, the sooner you can receive treatment.