STI Testing

Testing for STI’s:

Many Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI’s) are asymptomatic.  The only way to know for sure whether or not you are infected is to be tested for STI’s.  The University Health Center offers STI testing by appointment for a fee.

Appointments:

Men and Women with or without uncomfortable or painful conditions are asked to make an appointment with a practitioner to determine the cause of the problem.  The practitioner can assess you for STI’s.

*Testing is performed through the collection of Blood, vaginal/cervical and/or urine samples*

To make an appointment on line, please visit the health center homepage and click on “Make appointments on line at myUHC”.

You may also call our appointment line at 301-314-8184

***If you are coming in to be tested for HIV ONLY, you do not need orders from a physician to have HIV testing performed in the laboratory.  You may call the laboratory at 301-314-8175 to set up an appointment for testing.

Things to know:

• Women will need to schedule an appointment with the Women’s Health Unit in order to have a pap smear (to assess cervical health).
• There is no general screening test for HPV, though a practitioner will be able to visually assess for evidence of genital warts.
• Even if you look and feel perfectly healthy, you may have an STI.
• STI’s can be passed from person to person through ANY TYPE OF SEX: Anal, Oral and/or Vaginal
• Not all STI’s are just transmitted sexually.  Some can be transmitted through kissing, from hand to eye (if infected fluids are on the hand), through intimate touching and through sharing some clothing, lip balm or eating utensils.
• It is important that if you do test positive for a bacterial (i.e., Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Syphilis, etc.) or parasitic (i.e., Pubic Lice, Trichomoniasis, etc.) infection that you
  • take/use all of the medication as it is prescribed and
  • tell your partner, so that they can get treated, too!
    • If you don’t tell your partner and he/she doesn’t get treated, you’ll just keep passing the infection back and forth!
• Your sexual health is your responsibility.  Don’t play with your future-get tested.

Prevention:

• Use condoms and/or dental dams (Correctly and consistently…) to help prevent the spread of STI’s
  • The University Health Center provides FREE dental dams, condoms and lubricant!  Stop by the Health Promotion desk on the ground floor of the University Health Center to pick up any of the above. 
• The Gardasil vaccine (visit www.gardasil.com for more information) is available for BOTH MEN AND WOMEN at the University Health Center.  The vaccine can help prevent HPV infection.  Call 301-314-8114 to schedule an appointment to be vaccinated.  Click here for the flyer.

Resources:

 For more information about the following:

University Health Center Laboratory Services, visit:
http://www.health.umd.edu/clinicalservices/laboratory
Or call 301-314-8175

University Health Center Women’s Health Unit, visit:
http://www.health.umd.edu/clinicalservices/womenshealth
Or call 301-314-8190

University Health Center Primary Care services
http://www.health.umd.edu/clinicalservices/primary
call:301-314-8184 to make an appointment

University Health Center Sexual Health Education Programs, visit:
http://www.health.umd.edu/healthpromotions/sexualhealth
Or call Alli Matson at 301-314-8130; email: amatson@health.umd.edu

HIV InSite:  http://hivinsite.ucsf.edu/

Alternate Testing sites:

If you would prefer to be tested elsewhere, please consider the following resources:

Prince Georges County Health Department
http://www.co.pg.md.us/Government/AgencyIndex/Health/std.asp?nivel=foldmenu(4)

Cheverly Health Center
3003 Hospital Drive, Suite 3048
Cheverly, Maryland 20785
Same day appointments can be made by calling: 301-583-3150

Hours:
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday
8:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Thursday
11:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Offers: Free STI testing and treatment, donations requested for services rendered

Montgomery County Health Department
http://www.infomontgomery.org/query/programs.aspx?PrgID=292
Dennis Avenue Health Center
2000 Dennis Ave., Silver Spring, MD, 20902
240- 777-1760

Hours:
Monday: 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM
Tuesday: 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM
Wednesday: 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM
Thursday: 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday: 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM
Variances: Clinic is closed 12:00PM - 1:00PM; HIV TESTING M-W-F 1:00PM - 3:30PM; Tue. 8:30AM-11:00PM & 1:00pm -3:15PM; Thur. 11:00AM-3:00PM & 4:30pm-6:00PM

Offers:  Diagnostic testing, exams and treatment of STD's and epidemiological follow up. Free, anonymous and confidential HIV testing is also offered.

Eligibility Requirements: STD testing offered to for Montgomery County residents only. HIV testing is offered to County residents and non-residents alike.

Planned Parenthood
Multiple locations, including Silver Spring, Baltimore, Annapolis, VA and DC
Please visit http://www.plannedparenthood.org/health-center/findCenter.asp for more information

[tags: STI, STI's, STD, STD's]