Beginning May 15, students may be seen in our Urgent Care Clinic located on the corner of MLK Jr Way and S. Mason Street. Please call to schedule an appointment.
STI/STD Testing at UHC
The UHC is a confidential and judgment-free environment. STI/STD test results are confidential and available via MyJMUChart secure online portal.
Want STI/STD testing?
If you DO NOT have symptoms, you have two options:
- Login to MyJMUChart and complete the STI Self Testing form under the “Forms” tab. Once the form has been submitted, you will be notified via secure message that your self-testing kit is ready for pick up, along with complete instructions. You can complete your test at UHC or you can take the kit home and return to UHC within 7 days. You can also view these videos for step by step-by-step instructions:
2. Schedule an appointment on MyJMUChart for an “Asymptomatic STI” appointment with a nurse through the Nurse Clinic or call to make an appointment in the Nurse Clinic.
**NOTE: If you are wanting to be tested for Syphilis and/or HIV you must have an appointment in the Nurse Clinic.
Getting screened for STIs is an important part of taking control of your health. Understanding your risks and openly communicating with your health care provider will assure that you are getting the right testing for your personal health. If you are or have been sexually active, please use the following recommendations to understand what testing best fits your needs.
Chlamydia and Gonorrhea ($20 per site)
There are three tests for Chlamydia and Gonorrhea, depending upon your situation:
- Urine (self-collection - test for infection in the penis)
- Vaginal swab (self-collection - test for infection in the vagina)
- Rectal (self-collected swab - test for infection in the rectum/anus)
- Throat (test for infection in the throat)
What type of testing should you have?
- If you have engaged in sexual activity involving your penis or vagina - Urine or Vaginal Swab
- If you have had a penis in your anus - Rectal
- If have had a penis in your mouth - Throat
How often should you be tested?
- Yearly OR with new sex partners
- Every 3-6 months if you have had multiple or anonymous partners or with partners that you do not have knowledge of their sexual history/STI status.
What about multiple site testing?
Testing is specific to site. If you test only one site, you will not know if you have any infection of the other sites. You should undergo annual testing for any of these three sites involved in your sexual experience(s). Studies show that up to 83% of rectal and 100% of throat infections of Gonorrhea or Chlamydia are asymptomatic and will only be found through routine testing.
Syphilis ($5)
A blood test is used to test for Syphillis.
How often should you be tested?
Annually:
- Sexually active patients with HIV
- Sexually active person with a penis who has had sex with a person(s) with a penis
- Sexually active persons with a penis under the age of 29, not in a long-term (>1 year) monogamous relationship
- More than four sex partners in the preceding year
- Those who have had sexual relationships while incarcerated
- Commercial sex workers or individuals who trade sex for money or drugs
Every 3 - 6 months:
- Persons with a penis who have sex with persons with a penis AND have anonymous partners or multiple partners
HIV ($10)
A blood test is used to test for HIV.
How often should you be tested?
Annually:
- Persons having sex with anonymous partners or multiple partners
- Injection-drug users
- Persons who exchange sex for money or drugs
- Sex partners of persons who are HIV-infected or those that inject drugs
- Any person who is sexually active will be offered a test
- Frequency of repeat screening based on level of risk
Every 3-6 months:
- Persons with a penis who have sex with persons with a penis AND have anonymous partners or multiple partners
Herpes
Testing for Herpes is performed only if there are sores/lesions present on or around the penis, vagina or anus.
Are you at risk?
What is the likelihood of having an STI of any site?
If you are sexually active and outside of a long-term (>1 year) monogamous relationship, you are at risk for developing an STI and you should be tested based on the above guidelines. Your personal risk depends on many factors therefore we cannot tell you what your risk may be. If you are concerned that you were exposed to a STI from a specific sexual experience you should wait 7 days after the experience to be tested. Testing is your best option for assuring your personal sexual health and giving you peace of mind.
Tips for Risk Reduction:
- Abstinence
- Monogamy with uninfected partner
- Reduce number of partners
- Low-risk sexual practices
- Consistent and correct use of barrier methods
- Cease engaging in one form of high-risk activity
- Avoid excessive substance use
STI Frequently Asked Questions
Sex and Consent
Oral sex consists of a mouth on a penis, vagina or an anus.
Penetrative sex consists of penetration of a vagina or anus by a penis, finger, or sex toy.
This is not an exhaustive list. Oral and penetrative sex are the most likely to contribute to sexual health.
Safe sex means that you and your partner are:
- Protected against pregnancy and Sexually Transmitted Infections.
- Consenting.
"Consent, in the context of sex worth having, is everyone is glad to be there and free to leave with no unwanted consequences." — Emily Nagoski
Consent is:
- Clear
- Conscious and coherent (awake and not drunk, high or drugged)
- Voluntary
- Ongoing
- Required for everyone
- Not silence or the absence of "no"
- Sexy
Check out this video that explains consent.
There are various birth control options that can help minimize the risk of pregnancy.
- Condoms
- Easily accessible and effective against minimizing STI exposure
- Oral contraceptive pills
- IUD (Intrauterine device)
- Plan B or "morning after pill"
- Meant to be used as an emergency contraceptive
- Nexplanon
- Internal Condoms
- Nuva Ring
STI Testing
A STI is an infection picked up when you're swapping fluids with someone else.
Some common STIs include:
STIs are common.
Chlamydia and Gonorrhea are usually or can be symptomless.
STI screenings are easy, accessible, and quick.
Early STI detection and treatment can preserve future fertility.
For more information, check out this article from Willow Women's Center.
- Communicate
- Talk to your partner(s).
- Example: "So I got tested for gonorrhea and chlamydia last month, and they were both negative. I get tested once a year for HIV and syphilis. And I always use a condom. What about you?"
- Use condoms and other barrier methods
- On your penis
- On shared sex toys
- Internal condoms
- Dental dams
- Finger cots
- Get tested
- See the University Health Center STI Testing and Costs section for more information.
- Be exclusive with only one partner
If you are sexually active and outside of a long-term (>1 year) monogamous relationship, you are at risk for developing an STI and you should be tested based on the above guidelines. Your personal risk depends on many factors therefore we cannot tell you what your risk may be. If you are concerned that you were exposed to a STI from a specific sexual experience you should wait 7 days after the experience to be tested. Testing is your best option for assuring your personal sexual health and giving you peace of mind.
- Abstinence
- Monogamy with uninfected partner
- Reduce number of partners
- Low-risk sexual practices
- Consistent and correct use of barrier methods
- Cease engaging in one form of high-risk activity
- Avoid excessive substance use
If you use it, test it! You can be positive in one location and negative in another. Many people who test positive for an STI have no symptoms at the time of testing.
- Vagina
- Penis
- Anus
- Mouth
- Chlamydia and Gonorrhea (Swab/Urine)
- Optimal testing for accurate results is at least 14 days after unprotected sex.
- Syphilis and HIV (both blood tests)
- You should have testing done 1 month after the encounter with repeat testing in 2 months (3 months from encounter), if the first test is negative.
- Every 3-6 months if you have multiple partners
- If you have any symptoms (Genital itching, burning, lesions, pain, or discharge)
- After a hookup (aka one night stand, or sex with someone you just recently met)
- At the beginning of a new relationship (Both partners get tested)
- Chlamydia/Gonorrhea – Every 3-6 months if multiple partners
- Syphilis and HIV – At least annually, or every 3-6 months if at increased risk*
- Herpes and HPV – If you have lesions or symptoms
- Chlamydia and Gonorrhea (Urine or vaginal, rectum, throat swab) should have testing no sooner than 14 days after the encounter
- Syphilis and HIV (both blood tests) should have testing done 1 month after the encounter with repeat testing in 2 months (3 months from encounter) if the first test is negative
- You’re not alone.
- Some are curable, all are treatable.
- Talk to your medical provider.
- Notify your recent and/or future sexual partners.
University Health Center STI Testing and Costs
There are three tests for Chlamydia and Gonorrhea, depending upon your situation:
- Urine (self-collection - test for infection in the penis)
- Vaginal swab (self-collection - test for infection in the vagina)
- Rectal (self-collected swab - test for infection in the rectum/anus)
- Throat (test for infection in the throat)
What type of testing should you have?
- If you have engaged in sexual activity involving your penis or vagina - Urine or Vaginal Swab
- If you have had a penis in your anus - Rectal
- If have had a penis in your mouth - Throat
How often should you be tested?
- Yearly OR with new sex partners
- Every 3-6 months if you have had multiple or anonymous partners or with partners that you do not have knowledge of their sexual history/STI status.
What about multiple site testing?
Testing is specific to site. If you test only one site, you will not know if you have any infection of the other sites. You should undergo annual testing for any of these three sites involved in your sexual experience(s). Studies show that up to 83% of rectal and 100% of throat infections of Gonorrhea or Chlamydia are asymptomatic and will only be found through routine testing.
A blood test is used to test for Syphillis.
How often should you be tested?
Annually:
- Sexually active patients with HIV
- Sexually active person with a penis who has had sex with a person(s) with a penis
- Sexually active persons with a penis under the age of 29, not in a long-term (>1 year) monogamous relationship
- More than four sex partners in the preceding year
- Those who have had sexual relationships while incarcerated
- Commercial sex workers or individuals who trade sex for money or drugs
Every 3–6 months:
- Persons with a penis who have sex with persons with a penis AND have anonymous partners or multiple partners
A blood test is used to test for HIV.
How often should you be tested?
Annually:
- Persons having sex with anonymous partners or multiple partners
- Injection-drug users
- Persons who exchange sex for money or drugs
- Sex partners of persons who are HIV-infected or those that inject drugs
- Any person who is sexually active will be offered a test
- Frequency of repeat screening based on level of risk
Every 3–6 months:
- Persons with a penis who have sex with persons with a penis AND have anonymous partners or multiple partners
Testing for Herpes is performed only if there are sores/lesions present on or around the penis, vagina or anus.
Other Resources
Additional Fax numbers
540-568-4573 (Allergy Clinic)
540-568-7803 (Lab)
See Hours of Operation
