BY ADRIENNE DeLUNA
Caller: “Hello, I’d like to get tested for STD.”
Counselor: “Great! What would you like to get tested for?”
Caller: “STD.”
Counselor: “Well, there are many STDs you can get tested for. Were you concerned about something in particular or would you like to get tested for the 8 most common STDs?”
Caller: “There are more than one!?”
Seriously. This is what happens when we don’t have widespread support for sex education in public schools. We live in such a highly sexualized culture but, as a nation, our sexual health literacy is very low. If parents aren’t teaching their children about general safe sex practice and infectious disease and our teachers aren’t teaching about preventative care, it’s no wonder we get basic questions like this on a daily basis. What is an STD? Why are they sometimes called STIs? What’s safer sex? Do I really need to get tested? Doesn’t my doctor test me?
Unfortunately, no, your doctor is probably not testing you for STDs. And, no, STD is not an STD. When you have unprotected oral, vagina, or anal sex, you are putting yourself and others at risk for becoming infected with a variety of sexually transmitted diseases or STDs.
Caller: “I’m interested in getting tested for all STDs. What is in your panel?”
Counselor: “Our 8 Test Panel includes testing for Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, Herpes, HIV, and Syphilis.
Caller: “Well, I won’t need the Chlamydia and Gonorrhea tests, because I am a man, right?”
Sigh. Chlamydia and gonorrhea are bacterial infections that occur in both men and women. In fact, chlamydia and gonorrhea are among the most common STDs by and large because they can be present without any obvious signs or symptoms. People don’t know they are infected with chlamydia or gonorrhea and unknowingly pass the infection to their partner.
Caller: “I need to get tested for HIV/AIDS.”
Counselor: “Just HIV, or all STDs?”
Caller: “I thought the HIV test covered all STDs?”
Look — getting tested is the most important thing you can do at the beginning of a new relationship (or after!) to protect your health and the health of your partner. Get tested for all STDs so you know the complete status of your sexual health. Don’t be afraid to ask questions if you aren’t sure what you need to test for. That is what we are here for – and we’ve heard it all!
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