Same-Day STI Testing: What to Expect

If you need STD testing, you don't have to wait weeks for an appointment. You can walk into an urgent care for confidential STI testing the same day, usually with a urine test, a swab, or both, and talk through your options with a clinician. Here's what an STD check involves, when it's best to test, and what happens next.

STD or STI: is there a difference?

Not in practice. STI (sexually transmitted infection) is the term clinicians use more now, because you can have an infection without symptoms or "disease." STD is what most people search for. They mean the same thing for testing purposes.

When should you get tested?

Many STIs, including chlamydia and gonorrhea, often cause no symptoms at all, so testing is the only way to know. It's a good idea to test:

• After sex with a new partner, or with more than one partner
• If a partner tells you they've tested positive
• If you have symptoms: unusual discharge, burning when you urinate, sores, bumps or itching in the genital area, or pelvic or testicular pain
• Before stopping condoms with a new partner

How soon after an exposure should you test?

Tests need time to pick up an infection, a gap called the window period. Testing too early can give a false sense of security. For chlamydia and gonorrhea, the window is usually around one to two weeks; for blood tests such as HIV and syphilis it's longer, often several weeks or more. If you come in soon after an exposure, a clinician can tell you what makes sense to test now, whether treatment is appropriate now based on the exposure, and when to retest.

One exception to "wait and see": if you think you've been exposed to HIV, go to an ER or call your doctor right away. Preventive medicine (PEP) needs to start within 72 hours, and the sooner the better.

What happens at an STD check?

• A private conversation. The clinician will ask about symptoms, recent partners, the kinds of sex you've had and when, so they can choose the right tests. It's routine and confidential, and honest answers help them avoid missing anything.
• Testing. Usually a urine sample, a swab, or both. For a urine test, it helps not to urinate for an hour or two beforehand. Depending on your symptoms, the clinician may also examine the area.
• A plan. If you've had a known exposure or your symptoms point clearly to an infection, the clinician may discuss starting treatment the same day rather than waiting for results. Otherwise you'll hear how and when you'll get your results.

What if a test is positive?

Many common STIs are treatable with antibiotics, and others can be managed with antiviral medicine. A clinician will discuss the right treatment for your result. Recent partners will also need testing or treatment, so you don't pass the infection back and forth; the clinician can talk you through how to tell them. It's also common to avoid sex until treatment is finished and to retest later, as the clinician advises.

Can you do this by telehealth?

Partly. If a partner has tested positive and you need treatment for a known exposure, a telehealth video visit can often handle it ($75 self-pay). Testing itself needs a clinic visit, because the samples have to be collected in person.

What it costs

Self-pay in-clinic visits start at $175, and the final tier depends on the care you receive, up to a maximum of $330. Ask the front desk before treatment if you'd like to know what applies. We contract with all major commercial and government plans, including Colorado Medicaid and Medicare; we can't guarantee a particular commercial plan has us in network, and if it's out of network or denies the visit, we drop you to the self-pay rates. See our cost and insurance page.

Call 911 or go to the ER if… you have severe pelvic or belly pain with fever; sudden, severe testicular pain or swelling; pelvic pain and bleeding while pregnant; fever with a widespread rash or joint pain and swelling; or you think you were exposed to HIV in the last 72 hours (including after a sexual assault), so preventive treatment can be considered right away.

Where to find us

Four clinics across metro Denver, all ages welcome, se habla español:

• Hampden (Southeast Denver): 8 AM–11 PM daily
• Littleton: 8 AM–11 PM daily
• Thornton: 8 AM–11 PM daily
• Highlands: Mon–Fri 5–11 PM, Sat–Sun 8 AM–11 PM

Walk in, or book online.