STD Testing in Oklahoma

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are shockingly common, with over 110 million sexually transmitted infections (STIs) spread among men and women in the US. Around 20 million new cases of STDs surface each year, with most of the exposed individuals not even aware of their infection. Since a lot of STDs are asymptomatic, exposure can be detected very late, which results in delayed treatment. The best solution to this problem is regular STD testing. That is why Equality Health provides safe, accurate STD testing in Oklahoma, allowing everyone to stay aware of their sexual health. Make your appointment today.

The Importance of STD Testing and Prevention

Sexually transmitted diseases are transmitted through sexual activity, including sexual intercourse and oral sex. STDs are created by bacteria, viruses, parasites, and sometimes deadly infections, which can be transmitted to anyone regardless of their age and gender. Some common types of STDs are Chlamydia, Syphilis, and Gonorrhea. Since many STDs don’t cause any visible symptoms, the only way to be sure of your STD status is through accurate STD testing. If you know your STD status, you and your partner can take precautions to prevent the spread of the infection.

STD testing also allows early treatment of infections through early detection. Even easily curable STDs can become dangerous if they are left untreated. For instance, if left untreated, Chlamydia and Gonorrhea can develop pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) in females, which can sometimes affect fertility if left untreated. Similarly, if Syphilis is left untreated, it can affect various crucial organs of the body, including the heart and brain. HIV can weaken your immune system and eventually cause death if it’s not managed timely.

Therefore, it’s crucial always to be alert to your STD status, especially if you have an active sexual life. At Equality Health, we conduct STD testing in a safe and comfortable environment. The STD testing results are given to you with the utmost confidentiality.

Benefits of STD Testing

STD testing results in a lot of benefits, the most important one being that it lets you know about your STD status, giving you peace of mind. STDs can be really stressful and dangerous. They can significantly impact your physical and mental well-being.

Some other key benefits of STD testing are:

• Early Detection: Bacterial STDs, such as Chlamydia and Gonorrhea, are often asymptomatic. These infections don’t show symptoms, which means you will not be aware of the infection and delay your treatment unnecessarily. Regular testing allows you to know if you have an STD, enabling us to suggest the best treatment plan saving you from further complications.
• Prevention: Getting tested does not only help you; it helps all the people you may be sexually associated with. You may not even have an STD, but the test allows you to make sure that you are taking all the necessary precautions to prevent the spread of the disease.
• Healthier Life: Untested and untreated STDs can pose long-term health complications, including organ damage, infertility, and even death in some cases. Early detection and early treatment allow you to be vigilant of any health complications you might face because of an STD. Altogether, getting tested helps you live a long and healthier life.

Equality Health can help you become a responsible partner with our prompt and accurate STD testing in Oklahoma. Contact us today to book your appointment.

Types of STD Testing Available In Oklahoma

There are many different ways we test for STDs, depending on your condition and symptoms. The key is to be prepared for all of them so that the process doesn’t scare you. Below are some of the common types of STD testing available in Oklahoma at Equality Health:

• Blood Test: Blood tests diagnose STDs, including Syphilis and HIV. These tests are conducted by taking a small sample of your blood, either with a needle or a finger prick.
• Urine Test: Urine tests diagnose trichomoniasis and gonorrhea. They are conducted by taking a urine sample in a cup.
• NAAT Test: Nucleic-acid amplification tests (NAATs) diagnose different kinds of STIs, including Neisseria Gonorrhea and Chlamydia Trachomatis. These tests are conducted by identifying small amounts of DNA and RNA when the virus is present in a very small amount in your system. Most urine tests for STIs are NAAT tests.
• Antibody Test: Antibody tests check for specific antibodies (proteins) in your blood that your immune system generates to fight off infections, such as STIs like HIV and Syphilis. These tests help us identify the right treatment plan based on the antibodies in your system.
• Swab Test: Swab tests can be used to diagnose Chlamydia & Gonorrhea. We administer swab tests using a cotton swab by rubbing it against the affected area. For women, swab tests can be conducted on the vagina or cervix. For men, we generally rub the swab against the penis or urethra.
• Rapid Test: If you ever searched ‘same day std testing near me,’ rapid tests are the way to go. Rapid tests are for people who want immediate results with untainted accuracy. We conduct rapid testing with quick STD testing results. Most patients are able to receive their results within 20 minutes. The rapid tests we have available are for HIV tests and Hepatitis C tests.

It’s important to note here that your STD testing procedure can overlap between these tests. Depending on the test results and symptoms, you may have to take more than one test. At Equality Health, all tests are conducted with STD testing guidelines in check, which means your test results will be accurate and confidential.

STD Testing Procedures and Preparation

When it comes to the procedure of STD testing, it varies from test to test. But if you know the procedure, you will be prepared when the time comes.

Here are some key points you should know before showing up for STD testing:

Blood Tests: 

• • Procedure: A small blood sample is taken from your arm using a needle
  • Preparation: You may be required to fast for a certain period before blood tests

Urine Tests:

• • Procedure: A urine sample is collected in a cup
  • Preparation: There is no fasting rule for urine tests, but it helps if you haven’t urinated for 1 hour before you show up for urine tests

Swab Tests: 

• • Procedure: Swab tests are conducted using a cotton swab rubbed against the affected area. For women, these areas can be the mouth, vagina, or cervix, and for men, they are either penis or urethra.
  • Preparation: Swab tests do not have any specific instructions, but your healthcare provider may require you to follow their directions.

These procedural STD testing guidelines and preparations are all for providing you with hassle-free, safe, and accurate results. You can get in touch with a healthcare specialist at Equality Health for more information.

Interpreting STD Test Results

Although our healthcare specialists will be with you throughout the whole process of STD testing, it’s important for patients to understand the results as well. There are generally 3 conclusions of an STD test:

• Positive: Positive test results mean that the test has identified the presence of an STI in your body, and you should immediately begin your STD treatment plan. We offer customized treatment plans for HIV treatments and Hepatitis C treatment.
• Negative: Negative test results mean that there is no STD present in your body, but if you are sexually active, it helps if you make STD testing a part of your routine.
• Inconclusive: Inconclusive test results suggest that the test was not able to identify the STD status, and you may have to take more tests to be sure.

Sometimes, individuals who are exposed to some infections will have negative and/or inconclusive results. That is because they test too soon after exposure. Depending on the STD, the infection may take from 1 week to a few months to show up on a test result. Therefore, whatever your results are, you need to consult a doctor before taking a sigh of relief.

Prevention Strategies: Safeguarding Sexual Well-being

Although regular STD testing and adherence treatment is a reliable way to defeat STDs, complete elimination of STDs is only possible through prevention. Here are some prevention strategies that safeguard your sexual well-being and protect you from STDs.

• Vaccination: Vaccination safely and effectively prevents STDs like Hepatitis B.
• Condoms: Using male or female condoms correctly and consistently for anal, vaginal, and oral sex can be really effective against STI transmission.
• PrEP: Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is a preventative medication that sexually active people who are not yet exposed to HIV can take daily to reduce the risk of transmission of HIV.
• STD Testing: Regular STD testing allows you to stay on top of your sexual health. Although a positive test result means that you were not able to prevent the STD, testing can still help with early detection and early treatment.

Visit Equality Health to know more about how you can take the initiative to prevent the transmission of STDs.

Contact Equality Health For STD Testing In Oklahoma

Getting tested for STDs goes a long way in preventing long-term health complications and eliminating the infection through effective treatment plans. At Equality Health, we provide you with a safe, confidential, and comfortable environment to discuss your health and take a test. We also make sure that you get accurate results quickly. Apart from testing, our services also include STD treatment in Oklahoma, prevention, counseling, and awareness about STDs. Our aim is to stop the growth of STDs in different areas around Oklahoma. Contact Equality Health today at 405-761-2762 and book your visit for a happy, healthy, and safe life–mentally, physically, and emotionally! We offer STD testing in Edmond, Moore, Norman, and Oklahoma City.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)