Who Might Need STI Testing?

January 15, 2010 on 9:07 pm | By admin | In Health | Comments Off

Although STIs are quite common and can cause permanent health damage, not everyone is sure when they need to go to get tested. This is especially true when you consider the fact that some STIs don’t necessarily have any symptoms that might prompt someone to visit the doctor. There are a number of situations that call for STI testing just to make sure that you are safe.

First of all, and most obvious, you should go for STI testing if you have had sex with someone that you don’t know, or a one night stand. This is the case even if you used protection, but especially if you didn’t.

Those who have multiple partners also need to get tested, regardless of whether or not you used protection. No method of protection is foolproof, and you want to make sure that you do what you can to stay healthy. Usually if you have more than three partners in one year you should go for testing.

You should also go for STI testing if you are pregnant, since many STIs can be passed on to the baby or cause problems for the baby. Usually your prenatal treatment involves these sorts of tests, so check with your doctor to see what will be tested for in your visits and when.

It is also important to get STI testing if you and a committed partner want to stop using protection during sex. Even if neither of you has any symptoms and if you don’t normally engage in risky behaviors, it is a good idea to get tested just to be on the safe side before you take any chances. Keep in mind that if either of you is unfaithful you will need to be tested again before returning to unprotected sex.

Those who inject drugs also need to get tested since some of these diseases are transmitted through blood. Of course this is especially the case if you share needles with anyone else. As some of these diseases, including HIV, are not curable you want to do what you can to avoid them, and to treat them if you happen to get them in order to maximize your changes of a long and happy life.

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