While all health-related matters deserve the utmost privacy and confidentiality, some types of blood tests and lab work need even more. When it comes to STI or STD testing, you do not want to have any small chance of anyone you know finding out about your risks or diagnoses. Of course, if you go to your doctor’s office or even a public clinic, the HIPAA rules require everyone involved to keep your information private and secure. However, you may still have some doubts troubling your mind.
What Is STI/STD Testing?
These two acronyms are frequently interchanged to describe the same types of issues. STI stands for Sexually Transmitted Infection, and STD stands for Sexually Transmitted Disease. There are many temporary and permanent illnesses that a person can contract through unsafe sexual activity.
The most common STIs and STDs include:
- The human papilloma virus (HPV)
- HIV/AIDS
- Gonorrhea
- Syphilis
- Chlamydia
- Trichomoniasis
- Herpes or HSV1 or HSV2
- Hepatitis or HBV
All of these infections or diseases can transfer from one person to the other during various types of personal contact. If you have relations with somebody who has the STI or STD, the chances of you contracting them are high.
Taking control of your own health may require regular STI/STD blood testing. Combined with safer sex practices, the blood work gives you peace of mind and important information that you must share with your partner. Also, if the blood work comes back positive, getting proper medical care as soon as possible makes for a much better outcome.
Will People Find Out?
Not only is your health at stake when you suspect an STI or STD. Your reputation may be, as well. Despite the confidentiality and privacy that surrounds all medical care, you may still experience uncomfortable social situations someone sees you at the doctor’s office or walking into a public health clinic. Will you be able to field questions appropriately so no one suspects you have one of these infections or diseases?
Let’s face it. Getting a diagnosis for a sexually transmitted disease carries social stigma and can cause quite a bit of embarrassment if the news gets out. Of course, you do need to be upfront with sexual partners so they can protect their health. However, the last thing you want is for your coworker, friend, or family member to spot you walking into a public clinic specializes in these tests or making frequent doctor’s visits that arouse suspicion.
Your privacy and sense of security are essential for your comfort and reputation. That is one reason why choosing your own personal lab tests makes more sense.
The best way to remove STI/STD lab work from your everyday life or the public eye is to make an appointment or stop in at a Direct Access Testing center like Test Smartly Labs. With many convenient Testing Centers throughout Greater Kansas City, it is quite easy to stop in on your schedule or whenever you are least likely to run into people you know. Also, because these local labs cover a wide variety of blood work tests, DNA, drug tests, allergy tests etc. no one would ever suspect why you are there.
Self-Directed Blood Tests You In Control
Many people leave all health-related decisions to their physicians or insurance carriers. With the opportunity to use an independent blood testing facility like Test Smartly Labs, you can take control for yourself. There is no need to get a prescription for a lab test to find out if you have an STD or STI or a clean bill of health.
Besides going to a location outside of your regular activities, you also have the comfort of privacy because no one at your doctor’s office will need to know unless the tests come back positive and you need treatment. For such delicate subjects that have the potential for embarrassment, the less people who know about the possibility of the infection or disease, the better. Mostly, it is for your peace of mind.
STI/STD Testing Provides Regular Health Updates
Also, you get to decide how frequently you want the testing done. For many people outside of exclusive relationships, regular blood tests are part of their health maintenance regimen. The last thing you want to do is spread an STI or STD to future partners. If you neglect to find out that you have one of these issues, you may face an even greater lack of privacy as you are responsible to inform sexual partners of the diagnosis.
The Test Smartly Labs Difference
How will your healthcare habits change with access to affordable and regular STI/STD blood tests? Test Smartly Labs locations, you can enjoy the convenience of is scheduled appointment or a walk-in experience. You can book online or use our convenient CHAT feature to explore your options. This gives you the anonymity you may desire. And, this allows you to take control of your own time and ensure that the important blood work does not inconvenience your work or social schedule.
If you prefer frequent lab work throughout the year, a Direct Access Testing facility like ours also helps to save you a lot of money. Forget expensive co-pays and other fees associated with doctor’s visits. Much like other service professionals, physicians often charge simply for you showing up. Add lab fees and other costs to the bill, and you may find yourself paying an excessive amount.
At Test Smartly Labs, you know how much you need to pay upfront. Because our local locations have far less overhead, you can realize savings every time you stop in. Also, because there are so many nearby partner locations in most states across the country, you can cut out travel expenses, too. When each appointment costs less, you are more likely to get tests done for sexually transmitted infections/diseases on a regular basis. While the cost may remain the same over the course of a year, you have a better quality of healthcare because you can catch infections earlier.
No Doctor’s Order Necessary for Direct-Access-Testing
Most bloodwork orders come directly from physicians who prescribe the test to see if you have a particular disease or not. With Test Smartly Labs, you do not have to go through this invasive and inconvenient process. You can simply show up at the local facility, have your test done quickly, and get results faster than you may think. Better still, the security measures taken to protect your information provides a high level of confidentiality with every test.
If necessary, or if you choose, the test results are sent directly to your physician so you can follow up with them for medical care. If you do have an STD or STI, this step is essential for your overall health. However, getting to this point does not have to involve a parade of multiple visits and opportunities for people you know to notice and ask questions.
Take control of your own medical testing when it comes to sexually transmitted diseases and infections. Protect your health and that of any partners you have. Also, when you take care of these things at the convenient and affordable Test Smartly Labs Testing Centers, you can rest assured that your privacy and confidentiality will be upheld with the highest level of professionalism.
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