It’s a test no one wants to do, but it could be one of the most important tests you ever take. The high occurrence of sexually transmitted diseases means that anyone who is sexually active in any capacity needs to be tested. Even people in monogamous relationships can benefit from regular testing, as many STDs can lie dormant for years and show no symptoms.
Sexually transmitted infections and diseases are widespread and come from vaginal, anal, and oral sex. While anyone who is sexually active is at risk of contracting one, there are a few people with a higher risk of getting an STI or STD: Adolescents and young adults; bisexuals, men who have sex with men, and some racial and ethnic minorities. If you are sexually active, you should be tested at least once a year. Those at higher risk of STDs (multiple partners, anonymous partners, unprotected sex) may need screening more often.
For whatever reason you find yourself needing STI or STD testing, Test Smartly Labs Testing Centers can help.
The Difference Between STIs and STDs
STI stands for "Sexually Transmitted Infection," and STD stands for "Sexually Transmitted Disease". There is a technical difference between these terms, which has been acknowledged by the medical community. Although both STDs and STIs are transmitted sexually or via sexual acts, the term "disease" and "infection" set them apart.
In the case of STIs, the virus/bacteria have come in contact with the person's body, multiplied, and then spread in the body. This may or may not result in any symptoms and may have any immediate health risks. Regardless, the person carrying the infection is a "carrier" of the disease.
An STI is classified as an STD when the infection caused by bacteria or virus leads to the manifestation of symptoms in the body and symptoms that result in altering the body's normal function such that it causes complicated health risks. This implies that generally, STDs start out as STIs.
STI stands for “Sexually Transmitted Infection” and STD stands for “Sexually Transmitted Disease”. These two terms sound similar and the difference between them can be confusing. One of the reasons for this is that up to a certain point these two terms were synonymous and were used interchangeably. But now there is a technical difference between these terms which has been acknowledged by the medical community and can no longer be used synonymously.
Privacy Matters for STI/STD Testing at Test Smartly Labs
While all health-related matters deserve the utmost privacy and confidentiality, some types of blood tests and lab work need even more. When it comes to STI or STD testing, you do not want to have any small chance of anyone you know finding out about your risks or diagnoses. Of course, if you go to your doctor’s office or even a public clinic, the HIPAA rules require everyone involved to keep your information private and secure. However, you may still have some doubts troubling your mind.
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), nearly 20 million new STDs occur every year in the United States - half of which are among people aged 15-24 - despite this, only about 12% of young people were tested in recent years
The CDC estimates that undiagnosed STIs cause 24,000 women to become infertile each year
Data from 2013-2014 showed that about 42% of men and 40% of women aged 18-59 had genital HPV at that time
About 1 in 8 people aged 14-49 in the United States has genital herpes
From 2016-2017 the CDC reported an increase in gonorrhea cases of 75.2% since the historic low of 2009.
In 2015, approximately 1.5 million cases of chlamydia were reported - the highest number of annual cases of any condition ever reported to the CDC
In the US there were 39,782 new HIV diagnoses in 2016 and of the estimated 1.1 million people in the US living with HIV, about 15% don’t know they’re infected - so get tested today
Most STDs Are Curable - Get STD Testing So You Can Get Better
A lot of young people are negatively impacted by STD stigma that paints STDs as “dirty,” life-altering afflictions which can lead people to fear to test as they think their life will be different forever if they learn they do in fact have a sexually transmitted disease.
This is not remotely true. Most STDs can in fact be cured with a round of antibiotics and others can be managed with medications. Because of how easily cured most of the STDs are, many organizations have taken to referring to them as sexually transmitted infections (STIs) rather than STDs, since the word “disease” does not accurately represent what these infections are. STD and STI tend to be used interchangeably; we continue to refer to them as STDs for consistency’s sake.
STD/STI Statistics and Need-To-Know Information to Live a Healthy Life
It is one of the most difficult and uncomfortable topics for most people to discuss – and it is literally ruining millions of lives every day.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an estimated 110 million Americans are living with sexually transmitted diseases and infections. For the fifth straight year, STD/STIs have hit a record high – meaning that today, at this very moment, there has never been a higher risk of you or someone you love contracting a sexually transmitted disease or infection. Yet, unlike several other epidemics or outbreaks such as opioids or coronavirus, most Americans have no idea of the tremendous impact that sexually transmitted diseases and infections are having on our health, our medical systems, and our average lifespan. Understanding the epidemic, the individuals at risk, and the ways to protect yourself and your loved ones are critical in combating this silent killer.
Read more below...
What We Need
Be prepared for your lab test!
Make sure you have been Fasting for at least 10-12 hours for many blood tests
Make sure you are Hydrated for blood draw
Complete TSL Intake Form & HIPAA Disclosure
Pay for your lab test upfront (We don't process insurance claims but can provide you with information to submit your own insurance claim)
If you are having specialized testing, call ahead to help us determine if there are special collection preparations.
If you are interested in one of our health panels, please feel free to look at our web listing to help identify which one you want performed.
Please try to arrive 30 minutes prior to business closing to allow us time to process your samples for shipment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are Your Hours?
All Test Smartly Labs are open Monday through Friday, from 9am - 5pm
The Overland Park Testing Center is also open from 9am – 1pm on Saturdays
Do We Need To Have An Appointment?
No appointment is required to come into our labs, and all of our locations are on a walk-in basis. However, it is recommended you arrive at least 30 minutes prior to closing. If your situation requires special time considerations, please call us to determine if it would be better to arrange an appointment time.
Do I Need Doctors’ Orders For Testing?
No doctors’ orders needed, we are a Direct-Access Testing Center. You are encouraged to consult your medical professional with your lab test results.
What’s The Turnaround Time For Lab Work?
Average turnaround time is 2-5 business days depending on the complexity of the lab work. Most tests are available in 2-3 days.
Do You Need A List Of My Medications For A Drug Test?
Per protocol, the lab techs are not allowed to receive or ask for your medications. A medical review officer or MRO, a licensed physician who specializes in toxicology, will call you and ask for your medications and your physician’s phone number if it’s detected in your sample during testing. The MRO will then call your physician to verify your medications.
STI / STD Testing
At Test Smartly Labs, we understand the sensitive nature of sexually transmitted infection and disease testing, and we work hard to provide the most comfortable experience possible. The high occurrence of sexually transmitted diseases means that anyone who is sexually active in any capacity needs to be tested. Most STDs can be cured with a round of antibiotics, and others can be managed with medications. Test Smartly Labs offers confidential STI / STD testing options in a clean and private setting. We test for nearly every STI / STD such as Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, Herpes Simplex, Syphilis, HIV, etc. However, the most common STI / STD Testing options chosen by our clients are the Comprehensive STI/STD Panels where you have a much better chance of getting the information you need. It’s nearly impossible to pinpoint the exact STI or STD that you think may have contracted, so it’s wise to opt for a test panel that checks for the most common STIs and STDs.
Common STI & STD Infections/Conditions
Chlamydia
Chlamydia is the most frequently reported infectious disease in the U.S. and occurs most commonly in women aged 24 or younger, but men can also be infected. Most people with chlamydia are asymptomatic, and so the CDC recommends that if a person is sexually active, they be screened each year.
• Test Smartly Labs uses a urine test to screen for chlamydia.
Gonorrhea
The second most commonly reported STD in the U.S., gonorrhea, can occur in both men and women. The CDC recommends the following people be routinely screened each year: all sexually active women younger than 25 years; older women with risk factors; all sexually active gay, bisexual, and men who have sex with men.
• Test Smartly Labs uses a urine test to screen for gonorrhea.
Hepatitis B
The hepatitis B virus is an STD that causes liver disease. It is very contagious and is most often sexually transmitted or spread through making contact with blood that carries the virus. The CDC recommends the following people be routinely screened each year: pregnant women, men, and women with increased risk factors, persons with HIV.
• Test Smartly Labs uses a blood test to screen for hepatitis B.
Hepatitis C
The hepatitis C virus is the most common, chronic, blood-carried infection in the U.S. It can lead to liver disease and is the most lethal out of hepatitis A, B, and C. It is most often transferred through the shared use of drugs, especially needles and paraphernalia. The risk goes up if people have used cocaine or other non-IV drugs during sex. People with HIV, and those who engage in group sex, are also at risk.
• Test Smartly Labs uses a blood test to screen for hepatitis C.
Herpes Simplex Virus Testing
The herpes simplex virus type 1 refers to oral herpes, which often shows up as cold sores around the mouth and contracts through exchanging saliva through non-sexual contact. Herpes simplex virus type 2 refers to genital herpes and is considered an STD. This is spread by having any form of sex with someone else who has herpes.
• Test Smartly Labs uses a blood test to screen for herpes.
Syphilis
Syphilis is a serious STD that's currently on the rise, especially amongst men who sleep with other men. If left untreated, syphilis can cause serious health concerns. Sometimes the disease can not cause problems for 10-30 years. The CDC recommends the following people be routinely screened each year: pregnant women; at least once a year for all sexually active gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men; and more frequently than once a year for those with multiple or anonymous partners.
• Test Smartly Labs uses a blood test to screen for syphilis.
HIV
HIV continues to be a common STD among Americans, and routine screenings are highly recommended for anyone having sex. Knowing if you carry the HIV virus is essential for overall health, and it may also put you at risk for other STDs. The CDC recommends screenings for all adults from 13-64, all pregnant women, sexually active gay and bisexual men every 3-6 months, anyone who has unsafe sex or shares injection drug equipment.
• Test Smartly Labs uses a blood test to screen for HIV.
STD Recent Exposure Testing
If you are concerned you were exposed to an STD or just want to check if your symptoms are from an STD, we offer three STD panel tests for you.
Basic STI Panel: A urine sample is needed to test for chlamydia and gonorrhea
Comprehensive STI/STD Panel: A urine and blood sample is needed to test for syphilis, hepatitis B, HIV, hepatitis C, herpes simplex virus, chlamydia, and gonorrhea
Advanced Plus Panel: A urine and blood sample is needed to test for Syphilis, HIV-1, hepatitis C, herpes simplex virus, chlamydia, gonorrhea, and hepatitis panel-acute
Sexual DNA and Drug Testing
Most often, sexual health is tied to STI/STD testing. There are prime occasions to get up-to-date on your sexual health testing: When you enter into a new relationship, you've been out of a relationship but want to check if you contracted any STDs, you're worried symptoms might be caused by an STD, or you want to get pregnant soon and make sure you don't pass anything on to the baby.
Paternity Testing
If you need a reliable paternity test, we can help. The test needs to be ordered by the alleged father or mother - or a child that’s over 18 years. Once a date is set, the test must be done at our offices (for legal purposes), or samples can be collected if the test is being done for personal reasons. The samples are then analyzed by AABB-accredited labs and processed twice to ensure accuracy. The confidential results will then be delivered to you or the caseworkers, depending on the circumstance. Tests are 99.99% accurate. Paternity testing is often accompanied by STI/STD testing due to the frequency of multiple partners and the uncertainty of the sexual partners that may be involved.
Understanding Date Rape Drug Testing
After a sexual assault, it’s a good idea to get a comprehensive STI / STD Test to avoid future complications and/or receive treatment. By understanding the options and completing a full Comprehensive Date Rape Panel Test, the victim can identify what impaired them and take the next steps in protecting their overall health. There is an incredibly broad spectrum of potential drugs that can be used to assault an individual, and this is why the use of a broad-spectrum Comprehensive Date Rape Panel is essential. With this panel, a trained lab can narrow down or identify the drug used to impair the victim. These drug panels can be ordered from Test Smartly Labs and tested discretely either with or without visiting a hospital or medical center, and typically use blood, urine, or hair as the testable sample.
Consider STI/STD Testing When Pregnant
If you are sexually active and pregnant, you might want to consider taking a comprehensive STI/STD test. STIs and STDs are as common in pregnant women as they are in non-pregnant women. Doctors may not consider these tests unless you ask for them. STDs and STIs can create serious complications during pregnancy. You may not notice the effects at first, but they might appear in the later stages of pregnancy or seen at the time of labor. These infections and diseases are harmful and immediately need to be treated. If you are sexually active throughout your pregnancy, be on the safe side and get yourself checked before, during, and after pregnancy to ensure the best health for you and your unborn child.
Don’t put STD and STI testing off any longer. At Test Smartly Labs, we make things easy for you, as we not only offer on-site testing but offer collection services throughout the United States. Your health is our priority!
3917 Broadway Blvd, Suite A
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