STI testing can be pretty confusing. In office, you can be tested for gonorrhea and chlamydia - these are usually done as genital swabs, though they can be run via urine as well. Both gonorrhea and chlamydia are usually symptomless and can be tested for as early as a couple of weeks after exposure.
You can also ask for a pap smear, which tests for any cervical abnormalities. Cervical abnormalities generally take the form of dysplasia, which is caused by HPV. There are exclusive HPV tests, but they are not widely performed and not advisable for certain subsets of women (consult your health care provider for specifics relating to your situation). Cervical HPV has no symptoms.
For blood work, your provider can order a syphilis screen, HIV screening, and hepatitis B and C screening. This is done via blood draw, and these can take up to 6 months after exposure to be detected, so retesting at that interval is recommended.
HSV (herpes) can be tested for if you have any sores via culturing them. There are also blood tests available, but do be aware that they will show positive if you have a history of cold sores. Not all providers can/do order the blood test.
There is no way to test for genital HPV (warts on the external genitalia) without the presence of symptoms.
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Date: 2007-01-31 01:10 am (UTC)You can also ask for a pap smear, which tests for any cervical abnormalities. Cervical abnormalities generally take the form of dysplasia, which is caused by HPV. There are exclusive HPV tests, but they are not widely performed and not advisable for certain subsets of women (consult your health care provider for specifics relating to your situation). Cervical HPV has no symptoms.
For blood work, your provider can order a syphilis screen, HIV screening, and hepatitis B and C screening. This is done via blood draw, and these can take up to 6 months after exposure to be detected, so retesting at that interval is recommended.
HSV (herpes) can be tested for if you have any sores via culturing them. There are also blood tests available, but do be aware that they will show positive if you have a history of cold sores. Not all providers can/do order the blood test.
There is no way to test for genital HPV (warts on the external genitalia) without the presence of symptoms.
Hope that's helpful :)