Do You Need to Get Tested?

In a word: yes! Everyone who has been or is currently involved in a sexual relationship–regardless of gender, sexual identity or age–should be tested at some point in their lifetime. That is not to say that individuals should be tested if there is no reason to think that disease could be present. For instance, if you have never had sex, or are in a committed, long term, monogamous relationship, there is generally no reason to test unless circumstances dictate otherwise.

Currently it is thought that at risk populations should consider annual or bi-annual testing to screen for STDs. Several STDs, such as Hepatitis C and Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), may not present symptoms even though you are actually infected. In general, at risk groups would include: individuals who participate in open relationships or who have multiple partners, couples where one partner has cheated on his or her spouse with someone who has an unknown infection status, individuals who identify themselves as homosexuals, and individuals who are beginning a new relationship with someone with an unknown status (preferably before intercourse has taken place).

Where To Get Tests Done

Many state and local governments offer free HIV and Hepatitis C prevention programs. As part of these programs, free condoms and blood tests are generally available at your local health department. In addition to this, lab testing companies, such as LabCorp and Quest, offer testing to individuals who would like to have it done through online resellers. One of the most popular of these, STDTESTEXPRESS, is currently offering private tests for $79.

However, if you have insurance, you might be better off asking for a test when you see your doctor again for a physical. It is often cheap or free, and will be kept in your private record as a reference in case a problem arises in the future. In some cases, insurance companies will not cover this unless you sign paperwork that implies that you have reason to believe you may have had sex with a person with a STD positive status. That’s fine. It shouldn’t be held against you, and if you really do not know the status of your partner(s), it should be assumed that they do potentially have a sexually-transmitted disease.

Are there Alternatives?

Absolutely. The Home Access Health Corporation has unveiled an in-home STDs test kit. It is the only test kit currently on the market that is FDA approved. You should NOT use a test kit which is not FDA approved as they may have unreliable results. Home Access Health offers testing for HIV and Hepatitis C, with the former coming with the options to have next day results versus results in 2-4 days.

The kit comes with a special envelope, pre-paid posted, two lancets used to get blood samples and a special identification number. This number is given to you in two copies: one is on the blotter that you send to the lab company for testing, and the other is on a piece of paper you keep for yourself.

A few days after sending in the sample, you simply call a 1-800 number and punch in your identification number. After a few prompts, you will be given your test results. If you have a positive status, you will be connected to a counselor who will talk to you about your results, offer suggestions and possibly a re-test, and get you connected to places where you can find out about assistance programs and treatment.

The Home Access Kit is a quality product with reliable testing procedures. In addition to being available in your local pharmacy (behind the counter), you can also order it from the online stores of Walgreen’s and CVS. In other words, if you are ashamed or embarrassed about asking for test kits from the pharmacist, or lab orders from your doctor, or a lab company, you can get all of your testing done in the comfort and security of your own home.

The Home Access Kit currently retails for around $59.99 at the Walgreen’s website and $44.99 at the CVS website.

Testing, 1,2,3

There is absolutely no reason to not get tested, especially if you are part of an at-risk demographic. There are many options available to individuals regardless of income or location and testing has never been easier, more reliable and discrete as it is today.