Can You Get Tested For Herpes At Planned Parenthood

What Is Being Tested

Herpes is a common viral infection caused by the herpes simplex virus . The virus exists as two main types, HSV-1 and HSV-2. HSV testing identifies the presence of the virus in a sample from a blister, sore or fluid to diagnose an active herpes infection or testing detects antibodies in the blood to determine previous exposure to herpes.

Both HSV-1 and HSV-2 are contagious and periodically cause small fever blisters that break to form open lesions.

However, both HSV-1 and HSV-2 can affect either the oral or genital areas.

The herpes simplex virus can be passed from person-to-person through skin contact while the sores are open and healing and sometimes when there are no visible sores. HSV-2 is the type most often spread during sex, but HSV-1 may also infect the genital area during oral sex.

Most people who have HSV-2 are unaware they are infected because signs and symptoms may be mild and go unnoticed.

Once you are infected and the initial infection resolves, the virus remains in your body in a latent form for the rest of your life. During periods of stress or illness, the virus may reactivate and you may have periodic outbreaks. People with weakened immune systems, such as those with HIV/AIDS or those who have had an organ transplant, may have more frequent and serious outbreaks of HSV.

Herpes may be tested a few different ways:

How Can I Prevent Herpes Outbreaks

If you have lots of herpes outbreaks, your doctor may tell you to take medicine every day this is called suppressive therapy. It can help prevent future herpes outbreaks, and lower your chances of giving herpes to your partners.

Whether or not you take medicine to treat herpes, taking care of yourself by eating healthy foods, getting enough sleep, and avoiding stress might help keep future outbreaks from popping up.

No one knows for sure what triggers genital herpes outbreaks. Other infections, surgery, sex, your period, skin irritations, and stress may cause outbreaks. Sunburns, injuries to your lips, or other infections can cause oral herpes flare-ups. Try to avoid getting sunburned if you have oral herpes.

Genital herpes outbreaks usually happen less often and become shorter and weaker after a few years whether or not you get treated.

I Std Testing In Plano Tx

Many clinics in and around Plano, Texas, offer confidential and low-cost STD testing. Clinics will treat you with or without insurance and with or without an appointment.

The CDC reported that Texas had the highest rate of congenital syphilis per capita in 2019. Chlamydia and gonorrhea are also prevalent in the state, with more than 129,000 new cases of chlamydia and more than 44,000 new cases of gonorrhea reported in 2019 alone. If youre sexually active, its important to get regular STD testing to protect your sexual health.

If youre uninsured or underinsured, you can visit the Collin County Health Care Services STD/HIV Clinic Monday through Friday for STD testing. Planned Parenthood will also help you if youre underinsured at the Plano Health Center on North Central Expressway. Urgent Care of Texas also offers a wide range of diagnostic screenings, including STD testing for most common STDs with walk-ins welcome.

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Local Planned Parenthood Health Center

Planned Parenthood health centers also offer STI testing. They receive government reimbursements and grants from public programs, such as Medicaid and Title X, which means people can get STI testing and treatment for free or at a very low cost, depending on their income, demographics, and eligibility.

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How We Chose The Best At

The at-home herpes test providers chosen for this list had to meet several criteria. First and foremost, the test used to detect the virus had to be highly reliable. That means laboratories had to use one of the type-specific herpes tests considered to be the gold-standard for herpes blood tests. Test kits had to look for HSV-1 and HSV-2 because both virus types can cause genital infections, and HSV-2 testing alone can be misleading. The company had to offer counseling or access to a doctor when results were received to enable people to seek appropriate care. Finally, results from all providers had to be returned in a secure and timely manner. As most people interested in at-home herpes tests are doing so because of privacy concerns, companies had to take those concerns seriously.

More than 20 companies that offer at-home herpes tests were reviewed for this list. Tests were only eligible for inclusion if they met all of the above requirements.

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Why Get An Sti Test

• You think you might have an STI.
• You have had a condom break or it has fallen off during sex.
• Your partner has another sexual partner or has had previous sexual partners.
• You have shared equipment for injecting drugs.
• You are starting a new sexual relationship.

If you are unsure whether you need an STI test, talk to a doctor, nurse practitioner or contact the Newfoundland and Labrador Sexual Health Centre.

Heres What You Need To Know About Std Testing & Treatment At This Health Center:

We can test for gonorrhea and chlamydia using a urine sample. If this test shows an infection, then we will provide you with treatment and explain how your partner can be treated.

Many STD tests require a genital exam.

HIV testing is done by a blood draw. The results are available in 2 days.

Counseling and confidential testing for HIV are provided by trained staff who are sensitive to your needs and concerns.

Counseling and confidential testing for STDs are provided by trained staff who are sensitive to your needs and concerns.

Some vaccines are given in a series over the course of several months, which would require you to return to the health center to get the full benefit.

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Std Testing In Fort Worth Tx

Reviewed by Dr. Soma Mandal, M.D.

You have options for getting STD tests in Fort Worth, TX. Learn about convenient local testing for common STDs.

Disclosure: We evaluate products and services independently, but we may receive a referral fee on the services featured on this page.

STD Testing in Fort Worth, TX

How To Ask For An Std Test

Asking for STD testing can feel awkward, but it is an important part of your sexual health. Since there is no such thing as a standard comprehensive STD screening, tell your healthcare provider the specific STD you think youve been exposed to so they can be tested for.

If you arent sure about what tests you need, be honest with your healthcare provider about your risk of exposure and concerns.

If helpful, here are a few ways to consider stating your request:

• Although I always practice safer sex, I like to be screened on a yearly basis for my own peace of mind. Therefore, I would like to be tested for chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, herpes, hepatitis, HIV, and trichomoniasis.
• Im about to start having sex with a new partner and wed both like to be tested beforehand. Could you test me for the bacterial STDs, HIV, HPV, hepatitis, and herpes?
• I recently had unprotected sex and Im worried that my partner may have exposed me to something. Could you give me a full battery of STD tests including chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, HIV, herpes, and hepatitis? I know it might take some of those tests a bit of time to turn positive, but it would make me feel better to do something.

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Iii Std Testing Options In Fort Worth Tx

Choose the STD testing option youre most comfortable with:

• Private clinic: Your primary care physician or OB-GYN can order STD tests.
• Local lab: Some labs offer direct testing without a doctors orders.
• Community clinic: A community clinic, such as city or county clinics, or nonprofit organizations may offer STD testing. Some offer STD tests for free or low cost.

At home: You can test for STDs at home using a kit and send your sample to a lab for analysis.

Planned Parenthood Std Test Cost

Though Planned Parenthood STD testing offers a low-cost structure, for low or no-income groups, yet, it may be difficult to get the most economical STD testing cost there for everyone.

It is quite hard to get an estimate of the Planned Parenthood STD testing cost on the internet.

The cost usually depends on the location where you reach out to your individual center and the subsidies are based on the income level of the person getting tested. The STD testing at a Planned Parenthood center tends to have hidden costs like an exam fee and various lab fees that can abruptly increase your testing cost. It may involve some hassle and in the end, you may end up paying a significant sum for testing. Our assessment concludes that:

On average Planned Parenthood STD costs about $180 to test for the top four STD infections.

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Blood And Urine Tests

Most STIs can be tested by using urine or blood samples. Your doctor can order urine or blood tests to check for:

In some cases, urine and blood tests arent as accurate as other forms of testing. It may also take a month or longer after being exposed to certain STIs for blood tests to be reliable.

If a person contracts HIV, for example, it can take a couple of weeks to a few months for tests to detect the infection.

How Often Should I Be Tested For Stis

If you are sexually active, you should be tested at least once a year, even if you are in a monogamous relationship. If you have multiple partners, you ought to get tested before having sex with a new partner. If you dont get tested before having sex, the next best time is 10 days after having sex with a new partner. After exposure, it can take up to 10 days for an infection to show up in an STI test.

If you have symptoms, you should make an appointment as soon as possible. The only way to know for sure if you have an STI is through testing. Some STI symptoms are similar to the symptoms of other conditions, so only a health care provider can determine if you have an STI or something else.

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Myth #: You Can Cure Herpes Holistically

Both experts tell me, unequivocally, that herpes cannot be cured. Unfortunately, I think some herbal remedies take advantage of the misconception that they can cure herpes, but whats really happening in these scenarios is that your outbreak is going away, Hawkins says. Outbreaks tend to lessen naturally over time, BTW, whether or not you invest in supplements and holistic remedies. There is no cure for herpes it is with a person for life, she says.

What Should I Do If I Find Out I Have An Std

Finding out that you have an STD can be a bummer. You might feel mad, embarrassed, or upset at first. But try not to freak out youll be okay and youre not alone.

The best thing to do when you find out you have an STD is to follow your doctors directions for treating it. You should also tell anyone youre having sex with, so they can get tested and treatment if they need it. Its not the easiest conversation, but its an important one. Here are some tips to help.

Many STDs can be easily cured with medication, so you can just finish your treatment and get on with your life. And even though some STDs cant be cured, there are lots of ways to treat your symptoms and prevent you from giving your STD to anyone you have sex with.

People with STDs can be in relationships, have sex, and live totally normal lives. Most people get an STD at least once, and millions are living with STDs now. Having an STD is nothing to feel ashamed of, and it doesnt mean youre dirty or a bad person it just means youre a pretty normal human who got an infection. The reality is that STDs can happen to anybody whos ever been sexual with someone, which is almost everybody on earth. And a few STDs can be spread in non-sexual ways, too.

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How To Prevent Stds

Make sure you communicate with your partner about practicing safe sex. While the best way to prevent getting a sexually transmitted infection is by abstaining from sex, here are some other tips for preventative care:

• If you are sexually active, you should stay with one uninfected partner.
• Before you and your partner have sex, you should both get tested to ensure neither of you is suffering from an STI.
• Whether having sex orally, vaginally or anally, it is crucial that you use condoms consistently and correctly.
• You should also avoid excessive use of drugs and alcohol. When youre under the influence, you are at a greater risk of participating in unprotected sex.

You should also remember that, while condoms do minimize your risk if getting an STI, you may still be at risk of human papillomavirus or herpes .

How To Get An Std Test

Getting tested for STDs is a simple process. Almost all mid-sized and large cities offer options for free or low-cost STD testing, with convenient online testing options also available for many common sexually transmitted diseases.

You can get tested by:

• Talking to your healthcare provider. Your primary care provider will be able to provide testing for most STDs. Many health insurance policies either provide free STD testing or offer tests at a significantly reduced price.

• Visiting your local urgent care center. Many urgent care centers offer testing for most STDs. You can search for free, fast and confidential testing locations in your area using the CDCs GetTested tool.

• Visiting your local pharmacy. Many pharmacies can schedule testing for some STDs, or provide an at-home test that you can return to the pharmacy or mail directly to the lab for analysis.

• Contacting Planned Parenthood. Many Planned Parenthood centers offer STD testing and treatment.

• Using an at-home/online test. Several companies provide at-home STD tests that you can order online. Some tests provide instant results, while others may need to be mailed to a lab for analysis.

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Why Sti Testing Is So Important

Overall, nearly half of all sexually active people will get an STI at some point in their lives. Many STIs are curable and all are treatable. Testing positive is nothing to be ashamed about and having an STI doesnt make someone dirty or nasty. You can get STI testing by making an appointment at Planned Parenthood. All of our locations offer STI testing, and if you are symptomatic, you can be tested for herpes or trichomonas .

We offer free STI testing for those who are eligible, as some restrictions may apply. If youre interested in free STI testing, please make an appointment by calling us at 314-531-7526 or 417-883-3800 for more information.

Valerie Johnson is a nurse practitioner at Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region and Southwest Missouri.

Why Cant I Be Tested For All Sexually Transmitted Infections

By Valerie Johnson | May 19, 2020, 3:18 p.m.

Whether or not you have symptoms, knowing your STI status is an important part of being healthy. A question we often hear from patients is why they arent being tested for all STIs when they do get tested. We understand getting tested can be overwhelming and nerve-wracking, especially since you dont get results right away. It may seem irresponsible to not test for everything at once. However, there are valid reasons why certain STIs arent tested upon request and well go through two of those STIs here.

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What If You Test Positive For Herpes

• Even though herpes cant be cured, there is treatment available to manage your outbreaks.
• Some people take medication on a regular basis to make outbreaks less frequent and to reduce the chance of passing on the virus to others.
• Your clinician can also prescribe a medication that you take when you have an outbreak. You should start this medication as soon as possible, or within 72 hours of first noticing symptoms. It can make the outbreak shorter and less uncomfortable.
• Over time, outbreaks tend to become less frequent and milder. Some people will get outbreaks once a month or once every few months. One in 10 people will experience only one outbreak ever.
• You may find you are more likely to get an outbreak if:
• You are tired, under stress, or sick.
• You are not eating or sleeping well.
• You spent too much time in the sun.
• You have your period.

How Long Does An Std Take To Show Up

If you might have been exposed to an STD, you might be thinking when does symptoms of STDs start? When symptoms start can vary, depending on the illness. Most will appear within 2 to 3 weeks of transmission, but some can take up to 6 weeks. This is why STD testing is recommended around 2 to 4 weeks after potential exposure.

Keep in mind even if you do not have symptoms, you may still be able to transmit the disease to others, so you may want to take precautions or avoid sexual contact until you can get tested.

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