Tests by infection
HIV, herpes, chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, trich, hepatitis and HPV.
- At-Home Chlamydia Test KitsWhat FDA-authorized at-home chlamydia tests exist, how mailed kits and 30-minute tests differ, who should not use them, and when a lab visit is the better choice.
- At-Home Herpes Tests: What They Tell YouAt-home herpes tests are usually mail-in blood tests for antibodies. Learn what they can and can't show, how often results are wrong, and when to see a clinician.
- Chlamydia and Gonorrhea Test: One Test for BothYes, one sample can be tested for chlamydia and gonorrhea together. What the combined NAAT checks, who should get it, how timing works and what sites it misses.
- Chlamydia Test: Options, Accuracy and ResultsHow a chlamydia test works, who should get one, which samples are used, how accurate it is, how fast results come back, and what to do about retesting.
- Chlamydia Testing for MenHow men and people with a penis are tested for chlamydia: first-catch urine, when a urethral, throat or rectal swab is used, who should screen, and timing.
- Hepatitis B Test: Which Blood Tests and What They MeanThe hepatitis B triple panel explained: what HBsAg, anti-HBs and anti-HBc show, who the CDC says should be tested, timing after exposure, and how to order.
- Hepatitis C Test: Antibody, RNA and ResultsHow the hepatitis C antibody test and RNA test differ, how soon after exposure each can find it, who the CDC says should be tested, and how to order a test.
- Herpes Blood Test Accuracy and False PositivesHow accurate a herpes blood test is, why low index values can be false positives, when confirmation is needed, and when a swab of the sore is the better test.
- Herpes Tests: Blood Test vs Swab and Which to Ask ForCompare the herpes swab (PCR) and the type-specific blood test, what each can and can't show, why the CDC doesn't screen without symptoms, and when to test.
- HIV Home Test Kits: How They Work and How Accurate They AreHow an HIV home test kit works, what the FDA says about the OraQuick oral swab test's accuracy and three-month window, how mail-in kits differ, and when to retest.
- HIV Tests: Home Kits, Rapid Tests and Lab Tests ComparedThe three types of HIV test, how home, rapid and lab tests differ, how soon each can detect HIV, and how to choose. Plus what to do first after a recent exposure.
- How to Test for Gonorrhea (Urine, Swab and Throat)How gonorrhea testing works: urine and swab samples, when a throat or rectal swab is needed, whether home testing is an option, timing after exposure, and retesting.
- Is There an HPV Test for Men?No HPV test is approved for men, and the CDC doesn't recommend one. Here is how HPV is found in men, what a partner's test means, and which tests you can get.
- Syphilis Test: Blood Tests, RPR and What Results MeanHow syphilis testing works: the two-step blood test, RPR, VDRL and treponemal tests explained, false positives, timing after exposure, pregnancy and at-home options.
- Trichomoniasis Test: How It's Done and Where to Get OneHow a trichomoniasis (trich) test works, which samples are used, why it is not always part of a standard STD check, and where to get tested, including online.
- When to Get Tested for Herpes After ExposureWhen to test for herpes after a possible exposure: swab a sore right away, how long blood tests can take to detect infection, and when the CDC advises repeating.