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What Happens at an STD Center?

Jillian O Keeffe
Jillian O Keeffe

An STD center is a clinic that specializes in testing for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). In some places, the STD center might offer a range of tests for free. A person attending the clinic might have to provide a urine sample, and a doctor or nurse usually will take genital swabs or even blood samples.

Anybody who has been sexually active can go to an STD center for testing. Some centers accept drop-in appointments, and some require patients to book an appointment in advance. The clinic might offer a wide range of tests to patients as a matter of routine, but in some centers, a patient might have to ask for a specific test. For example, a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) blood test might not be routine for all patients.

Urine samples are collected at STD centers.
Urine samples are collected at STD centers.

A person attending an STD center typically will have all of his or her information kept confidential. The nurse or doctor needs to ask each person questions about his or her sexual history, partners and condom or drug use. The person also can discuss any symptoms he or she has and whether an infection is present.

Common routine tests include tests for the bacterial diseases chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis. Women might also get routinely tested for trichomoniasis, yeast infections and general bacterial infections of the vagina. Clinics cannot easily screen for the herpes virus, so screening for this infection is not routine in most cases.

Some clinics offer pap smears which are a diagnostic tool used to detect abnormalties in the cervix.
Some clinics offer pap smears which are a diagnostic tool used to detect abnormalties in the cervix.

The clinic takes swabs from the inside of the cervix in women and from the urethra inside the penis in men. These swabs are then sent to a microbiology lab to be analyzed. The center generally takes urine samples, which also are sent to the lab for analysis.

An STD center doctor or nurse will perform a visual examination as well as taking samples. A visual examination can show issues such as yeast infections in men and women, pubic lice or scabies. It also can help diagnose genital warts, the viral skin infection Molluscum contagiosum and other general genital infections. If an infection is present, the doctor might also take scrapings from sores. The doctor also might perform a touch examination of the genital region and, for women, an internal examination.

Some patients may be required to take a blood test in order to check for the presence of STDs.
Some patients may be required to take a blood test in order to check for the presence of STDs.

For women, the clinic might also offer pap smears. A pap smear involves scraping a sample of cells from inside the cervix to test for cervical cancer or cells that could potentially turn into cancer. The sexually transmitted disease human papilloma virus (HPV), which infects both men and women, can cause this cancer in women. In some countries, women older than 30 might be offered a pap smear along with a test for HPV DNA.

Anybody who has been sexually active can go to an STD center for testing.
Anybody who has been sexually active can go to an STD center for testing.

Sometimes a patient might need a blood test as well as the other tests. This is necessary if the patient might have HIV, syphilis or infectious hepatitis. Some clinics also offer vaccinations against hepatitis or other diseases as a preventative measure.

In some countries, a visit to an STD center and the tests are free. STD centers sometimes provide extensive advice about contraception or potential pregnancy. The clinic often can provide people who have STDs with treatment and can give out prescription medication to patients.

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    • Urine samples are collected at STD centers.
      By: Von Schonertagen
      Urine samples are collected at STD centers.
    • Some clinics offer pap smears which are a diagnostic tool used to detect abnormalties in the cervix.
      By: Zsolnai Gergely
      Some clinics offer pap smears which are a diagnostic tool used to detect abnormalties in the cervix.
    • Some patients may be required to take a blood test in order to check for the presence of STDs.
      By: jarun011
      Some patients may be required to take a blood test in order to check for the presence of STDs.
    • Anybody who has been sexually active can go to an STD center for testing.
      By: Wisky
      Anybody who has been sexually active can go to an STD center for testing.
    • Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are increasingly referred to as sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
      By: Syda Productions
      Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are increasingly referred to as sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
    • Cervix swabs and urine samples taken at an STD center are sent to a microbiology lab for analysis.
      By: perfectmatch
      Cervix swabs and urine samples taken at an STD center are sent to a microbiology lab for analysis.
    • To ensure protection against STDs, women should use condoms alongside their hormonal contraceptive if they are sexually active.
      By: Diana Taliun
      To ensure protection against STDs, women should use condoms alongside their hormonal contraceptive if they are sexually active.
    • A doctor may perform a visual examination to detect a yeast infection in men.
      By: Alexey Laputin
      A doctor may perform a visual examination to detect a yeast infection in men.
    • At an STD center, a couple may be asked about the manner in which they use condoms.
      By: Kzenon
      At an STD center, a couple may be asked about the manner in which they use condoms.
    • An STD center may take swabs from the urethra inside of a man's penis.
      By: isyste
      An STD center may take swabs from the urethra inside of a man's penis.