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 or they may do a mouth swab test for HIV.

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 is a particular test you need, ask for it. Also, don’t assume that STD tests are part of a routine physical or pelvic exam. Some STD tests require written consent, so be sure you know if you’re being tested and for what.

You can also buy HIV tests online through several services. 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.

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