Doctors and health-care providers test for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) in several ways. Depending on the symptoms, they might do a physical examination of the genitals; test samples of fluids from the vagina, anus, throat, and urethra; or do a urine test. They might also do a blood test for HIV, syphilis, or hepatitis.

You should ask a clinic or doctor's office which STDs they test for. Some clinics routinely test for only a few infections; so if there's a particular test you need, ask for it. And don't assume that STDs are tested for during a routine physical or pelvic exam, because sometimes you must request and consent to STD tests before they're done.

You can also buy HIV tests online through several services. To check one out, click here. However, we highly recommend going to a clinic for HIV testing. Just in case you test positive it is much better to have some support, like someone knowledgeable and caring to talk to about it.

For more information on STD testing, click here. To find a clinic near you, check the yellow pages under "Clinics" or "Family Planning," or locate a Planned Parenthood Health Center near you at 1-800-230-PLAN (7526) or click here. You can also find a testing center near you through MTV's Fight for Your Rights: Protect Yourself site locator.

***Giving blood to the Red Cross or any other blood bank does not count as STD testing. ***

Got a question about STDs? Call the CDC's national hotline at 1-800-227-8922, open 24/7.