Re: Dumb question, but....
 

It depends on how it is administered. The only way that I have ever had an HIV test is by having blood drawn. I really hate having to give blood for anything because my veins are so small and it is always an uncomfortable for me. For my first HIV test, it took three tries and both arms for them to finally be able to draw blood.

I do believe that there are less invasive ways to take the test. I think that there is a method that takes a swab to the inside of your cheek.

FYI
 

In undergrad we had a health program and one of the topics covered was HPV. I don't recall the statistics, but I believe this was the fastest spreading STD among females. Many people believe that using condoms can protect against HPV and this is untrue. Skin to skin contact can spread the virus if one is having an outbreak. Also, it can take anywhere from a few weeks to years for the symptoms to actually show. Therefore, it's hard to trace as to whom someone may have gotten it from. People may have the virus and don't know until an outbreak happens. So a woman/man can get tested regularly for STD's and this virus can go undetected.

HPV B.K.A. Genital Warts
 

Information to Live By:
Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
How common is HPV?
In the United States, HPV is considered to be the most common sexually transmitted disease (STD). Some studies estimate that the majority of the sexually active population is exposed to at least one or more types of HPV - although most do not develop symptoms. Because HPV is so common and prevalent, a person does not need have to have a lot of sexual partners to come into contact with this virus.

What about HPV and cervical cancer?


There are many different types of genital HPV.
Only certain types of HPV are linked with cervical cancer. These are usually called "high-risk" types.
The types of HPV that cause raised external genital warts are not linked with cancer. These are called "low-risk" types.
These wart-types of HPV usually are not usually found on a female's cervix, and therefore, are not going to carry any risk of cancer.
It is common for a person to be exposed and have more than one type of HPV, including several "high-risk" types. Yet, most women do not develop cervical cancer.
Cervical cancer usually takes years to develop.
The majority of cases of cervical cancer are in women who have either never had a Pap smear, or have not had one in five years or more.
Cervical cancer can be prevented if a female gets a Pap smear at regular intervals. This way, if abnormal cell changes are found, it can be monitored and / or treated before progressing to cervical cancer.
Most of the time, men will not have any symptoms or health risks such as cancer with the "high-risk" types of HPV. It is the female's cervix that needs to be monitored.

Why did she wait TWO years? As soon as she knew it broke, she should have gone to the dr and got tested for everything, IMO.

When I got BC, I got tested for everything, for my own personal well being. I mean, the distraction and I are careful, but not always as careful as we should be. (We're working on that, lol!)

The HIV test I took was via blood. It is uncomfortable (and I've had a child), they drew a vial full of blood.

She did...but it's just now showing up. She says she hasn't slept with anyone since then and was protected with her ex before then and he tested negative. I guess it takes so long to show up.

ETA: She has gone for several paps since then because she gets frequent ummm feminine "balance" infections...but they always said that it was probably something she was allergic to, like detergent. She never had an abnormal pap until this one like a month or so ago.

I was last tested about 5 years ago. Haven't really had the need to be tested again, but if I'm in a serious relationship and want to do away with condoms, then I'd want myself and my mate to be tested for everything.

Question:

What are ALL of the STD tests?

I have been tested for HIV and gonorrhea/chlamydia/syphillis twice and both times negative.

Where/how do you get tested for HERPES and HPV? Not that I believe I have them but I like peace of mind.

Knowledge is power. :)

You may just have to go to your GYN and ask her/him to test you for everything. When I was pregnant I was tested for everything twice (all tests negative by the way) Pregnant women are human pin cushions. I was drawing blood at almost every visit.

Re: A serious question: Calling EVERYONE, MEN in particular!!!!!!!
 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by AKA2D '91
[B]If your friend, girlfriend/boyfriend, significant other, mate, person you sleep with (whatever name you give him or her) asked you to take a HIV test, would you? :confused:

Yes, in a way, I think that the test should be taken before any new sexual partner anyway. Not that I do it, but I think that I should.

Redefined,
Do offices give written print-outs now or would you basically be taking him on his word when you say that you'd want to know the results of a recent test?
SC

Amen to that, lol!!
Just ask. I believe that most states are required to keep track of chlamidya/gohnorrea/syphillis (sp?) infections, so those are tested when you ask to be tested for STDs by default.

Why come my post was cut off? I forgot what I said..booo.. lol

Yes, I had to take one to get a life insurance policy.

Re: Always the odd one out
 

Soror, I totally understand and feel the way that you do. Although I have had two tests in my life, I really don't want to be tested again, even though I have had sex (not unprotected, but sex all the same) since my last test in 2001.

I also think that I might not want to know. The only thing that encourages me to go ahead and get another is that I would never want to give anything to anyone else. The point about getting meds early if need be is also a good point.

SC

I took out a policy with State Farm and had to do the cheek swab test right there in the insurance office.

SC

When I got my results in January, it was verbal, but I asked for written documentation and showed it to Mr. CT4.