Anyone who is sexually active is at risk for a Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) or Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI). Like any other disease or infection, early testing and diagnosis is important to enable early treatment that maximizes a chance for recovery or long-term control, such as in the cases of HIV or herpes for which there are no cures. Testing is also essential to help prevent the spread of STDs and STIs to partners and potential partners. If you are sexually active or suspect that you may have an STD, you need to be tested.

Because of the nature of STDs, many are hesitant or embarrassed to talk to their family physicians and do not want to risk having any record of an STD test or a diagnosis of an STD in their medical or insurance records. Fortunately, there is another way to get tested discretely. You can use an online service and talk to a counselor who will send you to a laboratory in your area that does all types of medical testing so no one there besides the staff will know why you are there in case you are seen. You will provide a blood or urine sample that will be tested and you can learn the results in one to three days by phone or on a secured website that only you may access with a login name and password. You may even receive a text message with results if you prefer.

If the STD test is positive, free counseling is available to advise you on discrete treatment options. Ignoring the problem will not make it go away. Get tested.