STD screenings are quick and painless. Tests are not part of a routine physical exam, be sure to ask your doctor for tests whenever they benefit you. It can be nerve-racking preparing for these tests; keep reading for what you should expect from an STD screening.
Prepare To Be Honest
At AFC Urgent Care, we pride ourselves on quality customer service for our patients and their health. Your doctor is not there to be judgmental; their primary concern is to take care of you. Be honest about your sexual and medical history.
Communication is a crucial aspect of STD screening. To give you the correct treatment, your doctor will need to know the complete picture of what brings you into the clinic and the symptoms you may be having.
Some Questions To Expect:
- How long have you had the symptoms?
- What are your symptoms, and where on the body are they appearing?
- Do you use protection with sexual intercourse?
- How painful or severe are your symptoms?
Multiple Different Kinds of Testing
Because there are so many different types of STDs, there are multiple different tests. Your doctor may recommend one from the list or multiple for safe measures. What you should expect from an STD screening with AFC Urgent Care depends on your symptoms and the severity of the situation.
AFC STD Tests:
- Blood Sample
- Urine Sample
- Cheek Swab
- Genital Swab
- Sore or Blister Swab
Length of the Appointment
Depending on the day and how busy the clinic is, you could be here from a half-hour to one hour. Your doctor will spend the first part of your appointment speaking with you about your history and symptoms. The actual test itself will only be a few minutes long.
Wait Time for Results
Rapid tests give you results within 20 minutes, whereas other standard tests could take a few days or up to a week to get the results back. Again, your doctor will choose the proper test for you.
Our doctors at the STD clinic in Raleigh, NC, have tons of experience and tools for fast and reliable tests. Ask your doctor at the appointment for an estimate on when to expect your results to come back in.
To reiterate, STD screenings are quick and painless. The only thing you need to prepare beforehand is the answers to your doctor’s questions. Staying honest and truthful with your health care provider leads not only to better care but also to the correct solutions to your symptoms.
