STI Testing
If you are worried about a symptom or have been exposed to someone diagnosed with a sexually transmitted infection (STI) you can make an appointment or utilize our walk-in hours any time. Screening can be important for anyone who is sexually active and Health Services provides routine STI testing. STI testing is also a regular part of gynecologic appointments.
Which test you get depends on your exposures and sexual practices. A Health Service clinician will discuss your sexual history with you as well as symptoms of various STIs. We can test for almost any STI. Some are blood tests, some are urine tests, and some are done through swabbing.
Risk of exposures
A person’s risk of exposure to an STI depends on a number of factors including: type of STI, type of sexual contact, whether a barrier method was used or if there are any active symptoms. In some cases, depending on the STI, transmission can happen when there are no obvious symptoms. When you come in for STI testing (either with or without symptoms), your clinician will likely ask you questions about recent sexual history to help determine which tests should be done. Don't be afraid to ask the clinician for clarification of any questions they might ask you.
Cost/Insurance Fees
These vary depending on the test. Tufts student health insurance and many private insurance policies cover STI testing. Health Services can work with you to see if any charges can be billed to your insurance company.
STIs tested for at Health Service
|
Type |
Herpes |
Syphilis |
Gonorrhea |
Chlamydia |
UTI |
HIV |
|
Viral or Bacterial Infection? |
Viral Infection |
Bacterial Infection |
Bacterial Infection |
Bacterial infection |
Bacterial infection |
Viral infection |
|
Treatable? |
Treatable |
Treatable |
Treatable |
Treatable |
Treatable
|
Treatable |
|
Curable? |
No |
Yes but can lead to long term complications if left untreated
|
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
|
How is it transmitted? |
Direct skin to skin contact |
Oral/anal/ vaginal sex and contact with sores |
Sexual contact with bodily fluids like semen, saliva, vaginal secretions or with mucus membranes like anus, mouth, vagina |
Sexual contact with bodily fluids like semen, saliva, vaginal secretions or with mucus membranes like anus, mouth, vagina |
Bacteria enters the urethra (the tube from your bladder to the outside of your body). Can be caused by sex activity but can have other causes as well
|
Specific types of contact (ex. open mucus membrane) with certain bodily fluids (blood, semen/pre-cum, rectal fluids, vaginal fluids and breast milk) from someone who has HIV |
|
Symptoms
|
Painful sores, usually near mouth, vagina, penis or anus |
Symptoms can vary |
Abnormal penile or vaginal discharge BUT can also be asymptomatic |
Usually asymptomatic; but can have abnormal penile or vaginal discharge
|
Painful urination, increased urinary frequency, blood in urine |
Symptoms can vary; usually asymptomatic but flu-like symptoms can sometimes present within the first few weeks after exposure |
|
Test type? |
Via swab or blood test |
Via swab or blood test |
Via swab or urine collection |
Via swab or urine collection
|
Via urine collection |
Via blood test |
|
Testing available at Tufts Health Services |
Yes/No, sample collected at Health Services. Samples sent to Quest Diagnostics for testing. Results returned to Health Services |
Yes /No, sample collected at Health Services. Samples sent to Quest Diagnostics for testing. Results returned to Health Services. Follow up tests needed and available |
Yes/No, sample collected at Health Services. Samples sent to Quest Diagnostics for testing. Results returned to Health Services |
Yes/No, sample collected at Health Services. Samples sent to Quest Diagnostics for testing. Results returned to Health Services |
Yes/No, sample collected at Health Services. Samples sent to Quest Diagnostics for testing. Results returned to Health Services |
Yes/No, sample collected at Health Services. Samples sent to Quest Diagnostics for testing. Results returned to Health Services |
|
Covered By Tufts Student Health Insurance? |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
When do I get my results? |
5-7 days |
3-5 days |
2-3 days |
2-3 days |
Same day - 3 days, depending on tests |
1-2 days |
|
What shows up on the paperwork/ bills? |
Quest Diagnostics shows up either as a coded entry OR a detailed explanation of benefit |
Quest Diagnostics shows up either as a coded entry OR a detailed explanation of benefit |
Quest Diagnostics shows up either as a coded entry OR a detailed explanation of benefit |
Quest Diagnostics shows up either as a coded entry OR a detailed explanation of benefit |
Quest Diagnostics shows up either as a coded entry OR a detailed explanation of benefit |
Quest Diagnostics shows up either as a coded entry OR a detailed explanation of benefit |
|
Can I continue to be sexual active during treatment? |
Not during initial treatment and with increased protection recommended afterwards |
Not during initial treatment and with increased protection recommended afterwards |
Not recommended |
Not recommended |
Not recommended |
Yes, with increased protection and on-going management |
|
How long does treatment take? |
Initial treatment timeline varies, usually 3-10 days. No sexual activity until after treatment AND after sores have healed. May need episodic treatment after initial treatment. |
Without complications, initial treatment is one shot followed by no sexual activity for 14 days AND after sores have healed |
On average, from 1st day of treatment, no sex for 7 days |
On average, from 1st day of treatment, no sex for 7 days |
On average, from 1st day of treatment, no sex for 7 days |
Treatment varies and is usually monitored lifelong |