RUTGERS HEALTH SERVICES

SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS (STI)
FAQ FOR TESTING

Will my parents find out about this visit?
No. All visits to the health centers are confidential. Information about your visits can only be released with your written permission.

What tests can I have done?
The tests recommended will depend on your sexual behaviors, history of previous STI’s or current STI and whether you have symptoms or not. The available tests include HIV, RPR (syphilis), Gonorrhea, Chlamydia, Hepatitis B, Herpes and Trichomoniasis. In females, HPV (human papilloma virus) testing is included with Pap smears.

How much will it cost to be tested?
Your student insurance will cover the cost of annual STI screening (may include Gonorrhea, Chlamydia, Trichomoniasis, Pap (HPV), RPR (Syphilis), HIV, and Hepatitis B). The cost for more frequent testing will be paid by you.  

How long will it take to get the results?
The results are usually returned within a week.

Can I get my results over the telephone?
Yes this is possible. You need to discuss this with your clinician to come to an agreement about this. Your clinician may prefer having you come back to discuss any other questions or concerns.

How often should I get tested?
The CDC currently recommends that everyone should be tested for HIV annually, Chlamydia annually (in women younger than 25 years old) and every 3-6 months in those previously infected and Pap smears every 2 years (may be more frequent in women with previously abnormal Pap smears). The frequency of testing for other infections depends upon your sexual behaviors/risk factors.

Can I have the test for “everything”?
There is no one test for “everything” and there are some infections for which there are no tests. Recommended testing depends on your personal risk factors and symptoms.

Do I have to have blood drawn to be tested?
That depends on what tests are being done:

• Gonorrhea and Chlamydia can be done with urine (in men and women) or from a cervical swab or Pap smear (in women).
• HIV requires blood in this setting.  However there is a rapid result test that can be done with an oral swab.  Rutgers Health Services holds HIV rapid testing clinics usually 3-4 times per school year.  Ask your clinician for planned dates.
• Herpes involves a swab of the lesion or a blood test. A positive blood test confirms an exposure at some time in your life. Routine screening for Herpes is not recommended. If Herpes testing is performed on someone without provider recommendation, the student pays for that test.
• Hepatitis A, B, C requires blood.
• Syphilis requires blood.
• There is no blood or urine test for HPV. In women, HPV is tested for by performing a Pap smear – an initial Pap smear is indicated 3 years after the initiation of sexual activity. 

Can I get tested so that we can stop using condoms?
Most college students are not in a permanent, mutually monogamous relationship. Therefore, we strongly encourage the continued consistent use of condoms.

My partner has something (I don’t know what it is). Can I be tested and treated?
Yes, you can. However, since there are many infections, it would be helpful to know what your partner has.

My partner got more tests than you are giving me. Why is that?
An individual’s symptoms, past infections, past and present sexual behaviors along with the recommendations from the CDC, NIH and USPSTF determines what tests are indicated.

My girlfriend has an abnormal Pap smear. Can I get tested?
Pap smears are a screening test for cervical cancer.  An abnormal Pap smear does not mean that she has cervical cancer or will ever develop cervical cancer. It does mean that she needs gynecology follow-up.  An abnormal Pap is often related to having HPV. There is no similar test for HPV in men. If you have visible warts, they can be treated but if nothing is visible there is nothing to treat.