Get Yourself Tested

1 in 2 sexually active young people will get a sexually transmitted disease or infection by 25 — and most won't know it. 

The way to make a change is to GYT: Get Yourself Tested!

Why get tested?

STIs and STDs are very common. Every year there are more than 19 million new cases of STDs in the U.S. Since STDs often show no symptoms, many of those who are infected don't know it. The only way to know if you or a partner has an STD is to get tested. The good news is that all STDs are treatable, and many are curable. Putting off getting care for an STD can have lasting health effects for both women and men. Left untreated, some STDs can cause infertility (that is, make you unable to have children). Some STDs can also cause an increased risk of cancer or even death. And get this—having an STD increases your risk of getting HIV and other STDs if you have sex with an infected partner.

What should I get tested for?

There is no single test for every STD/STI—tests are specific to each infection. And some infections can be found using more than one type of test. But most importantly, you need to get tested. You can't assume that you have been tested for STDs if you have blood taken, give a urine sample, or (for women) have a pelvic exam or pap smear. You have to specifically ask to be tested.  

What's involved in testing at Student Health Services?

The type of test—or tests—you need will depend on the STDs you need to be tested for. This can vary depending on your age, sex, and sexual history. Remember, there is no single test that can screen for all STDs. 

Urine sample – You may be asked to urinate into a cup to test for chlamydia or gonorrhea.

Blood sample – Your lab may take a blood sample, either with a needle or by pricking the skin to draw drops of blood. These can be used, for example, to test for syphilis, herpes, or HIV.

So how do I get tested?

Visit MyHealthSpace at www.sa.sc.edu/shs/myhealthspace and follow the directions.

How much will it cost?

The Thomson Student Health Center is offering these tests:

Chlamydia & Gonorrhea combined: $40

Chlamydia: $27 ($32 for students not paying the student health fee)

Gonorrhea: $27 ($32)

HIV: $16 ($16)

Syphilis: $11 ($11)

 

What if I test positive for something? What happens next?

First, remember, all STDs are treatable and many are curable. There are different treatments for different STDs. For some STDs, there are several treatment options.

Here are two examples:

  • If you test positive for chlamydia, you will be given a prescription for an antibiotic that will cure this case of chlamydia. You will still be able to get chlamydia again, if exposed to someone who has it.

  • If you test positive for herpes, you will always have herpes (virus). But you can take medications to treat the symptoms. Medications are also available to help prevent future outbreaks and minimize their severity, as well as to lower the chances of passing the virus on to partners. You can also join support groups for people with herpes to help you cope and prevent transmission to others.

If your results are positive, it is important that you follow the treatment recommended by your health provider—completely. For example, if you're on antibiotics and your symptoms go away, you should still continue your medication until it is finished.

 

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