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Getting an STD test can help you to detect infection early, even if you do not show any signs or symptoms of illness. This is fundamental for your sexual health, as their effects can worsen over time if not quickly treated. Getting tested for STDs in Rome is easy and confidential. This important step will give you peace of mind and can help you create a plan to maintain your sexual health. We developed this STD package to help you take control of your sexual health, protect yourself and protect your partner. Contact FirstMed to book your STD panel today.
Why Should I Get Tested for STD?
You’re probably thinking, “I feel fine, my genitals look fine, I don’t need to worry!” This may be the case, however, it could be that you have a silent infection. A number of STDs take time to develop symptoms and you may not know until it's too late if you’re infected. The two most commonly asymptomatic STDs are chlamydia and gonorrhea. This means that you could be infected for weeks without presenting symptoms. This problem could then be passed on to your partner or partners.
The best way to know if you’re infected is not to wait and hope you don’t have any symptoms, it is to get tested! It’s also important because some STDs that go undetected could cause more serious conditions and could eventually lead to infertility. Getting tested is not scary and could protect you from future sexual health problems.
Which STD Test Should I get?
The best way to make sure you don’t have any STDs is to find out as much information as possible, but we understand that each person has unique needs. Depending on the type of sexual contact and/or reported symptoms.
STD Blood Panel:
The blood panel tests for:
Chlamydia
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis B (Ag and Ab)
Hepatitis C
HIV
Syphilis.
STD Swab Panel:
The swab panel tests for:
Gonorrhea
Herpes 1 and 2
Miceti fungus
Yeast
Other common bacterial genital infections
STD Blood + Swab Panel:
The complete STD panel combines blood and swab exams to get a global picture of your genital health.
Consult with your doctor about which panel best suits your needs. The most complete picture of your overall sexual health comes from the comprehensive panel.
How Much Does an STD Test Cost?
Our STD panels come at different price points. Depending on whether you take the blood test panel, the swab panel, or the complete package, the prices vary slightly between the three offers.
How Long Does STD Testing Take?
STD testing is very quick. The appointment generally doesn’t last for more than 30 minutes. Depending on the type of the exam, you may need to leave a urine sample, get your blood taken, or have a pharyngeal, vaginal, urethral, or anal swab.
Testing should be done strategically, as diseases do not show up immediately after exposure. For chlamydia and gonorrhea, you should be tested the first 6 days following sexual contact. The window of time for hepatitis to appear is usually a few weeks and differs based on whether the test is for hepatitis A, B, or C. For herpes, the downtime is six weeks. Antibody testing for HIV should occur 1-3 months, whereas RNA testing can take place as soon as 11 days following sexual contact. Finally, syphilis tests can be done after 6 weeks and then again two weeks later, as the infection can take a longer time to show up.
How Often Should I Have an STD Test Done?
As a rule of thumb, you should be getting STD tested at least once yearly. This baseline of exams can help you to establish and recognize what your natural sexual health looks like. Additionally, we recommend getting tested whenever you have sex with a new partner if you have sex with multiple partners, and at the beginning and end of a relationship.
How Will I Get My Results?
Most results can be sent to you by email. As HIV test results are highly sensitive personal information, they must be picked up in person. If you’ve done an STD test for a range of diseases, you can decide to receive them all at once or to get them as they are ready.
What Do I Do If I Have an STD?
If your test results come back positive for an STD, the best thing to do is consult your doctor. Depending on the STD, they can give you an antibiotic or antiviral prescription and a treatment to relieve any pain or discomfort. For more serious STDs that are not curable, your doctor can work with you to create a management plan and to treat any symptoms that occur as a result of the diagnosis.
Another important step to take after a positive STD diagnosis is to notify your partner or partners as soon as possible. This will allow your sex partner to take the proper steps to prevent or treat a potential infection. Lastly, after completing your treatment, it’s important to get retested three months later to ensure that no former STDs have developed and to maintain your health. This will also prevent you from reinfecting others.
Where can I Get PrEP, PEP, and other HIV resources in Rome?
If you plan to have sex with someone who has HIV, talk to your doctor proactively about how to get PrEP to prevent the risk of getting ill.
HIV counseling and antiretroviral treatment is available only through the public health system. If you have HIV, receive a positive diagnosis, or suspect you have been exposed to HIV, it’s important to get retested and to develop a treatment plan. To learn more about HIV treatment in Rome, consult the regional health system.
Can I Use My Insurance to Pay?
Not all insurance companies cover STD testing under their policies. Check with your insurance provider to verify if they cover this service, and contact FirstMed to ask us if we accept your insurance.
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