Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) Testing
HIM Program staff are able to offer both syphilis and rapid HIV testing testing by appointment at the Hennepin County Public Health Clinic. Full STD testing services are offered by nurse practitioners and are available upon request in conjunction with a HIM Program visit.
A routine STD screening involves testing the penis, butt and/or mouth (depending on whether you're into: topping, bottoming, oral sex, etc.) for gonorrhea, chlamydia, nsu/ngu, and syphilis. Genital warts (HPV), molluscum contagiosum, oral herpes (type I) and genital herpes (type II) can also be diagnosed during a physical examination if symptoms are present.
Dermatology treatment is available to people diagnosed with genital warts or molluscum. We also offer vaccines for Hepatitis A and B (both are recommended for gay/bi men). Hepatitis C testing is available for guys who are injecting drugs.
HOW DO I SIGN UP FOR TESTING?
STD testing is primarily available on a walk-in basis. When you arrive at the clinic, let the receptionist know you are here for STD testing and they will get you registered and get your confidential medical chart started (if you are a new patient) or pulled (if you are a returning patient).
Through the HIM Program, you can avoid long lobby waits by setting up an appointment for confidential syphilis testing. HIM Program staff then work with a nurse practitioner to provide a full STD examination.
STD testing is confidential. A medical record is established using your personal identifying information during your visit and used by clinicians to provide the best medical care possible to you both at your visit and at future visits. This information is kept private - not even spouses or family members have access to your medical record without your written consent.
CAN I GET TESTED FOR HIV AT THE SAME TIME ?
Yes. HIM Program staff are able to provide both syphilis and rapid HIV testing in the same appointment. Syphilis and full STD testing is only available during confidential testing, so if you opt to test anonymously for HIV, then you will need to come in another time to get tested for syphilis and the other STDs.
HOW IS MY PRIVACY PROTECTED?
Your privacy is very important to us. Any and all information you provide during your visit is kept private and protected by Data Practices Law and HIPPA regulations. During a confidential visit, copies or your results are available after signing an information disclosure form available at the front desk. We do not mail you anything from our clinic. We do not call you from our clinic (so don't forget to call us for your results!).
More information about your privacy can be obtained by contacting HIM Program staff or during the registration process at the clinic.
WHAT QUESTIONS WILL I BE ASKED?
You will meet with someone from the HIM Program who can answer your questions about HIV, syphilis, STDs, gay/bi men's sexual health, safer sex and other related issues. You will be asked to provide general information about yourself, drug use, sexual practices, and other activities that might put you at risk for HIV and other STDs.
This information will help us provide the best counseling around your risk and assess whether this test is a good test for you (i.e. different STDs have different amounts of time you have to wait in order to get an accurate test).
HOW OFTEN SHOULD I TEST?
If you are sexually active, it is recommended that you get screened for STDs on an annual basis. Depending on your risk (how many partners, condom use, etc.), a person may need to test more frequently than once per year. If you have questions regarding when you should get tested, contact us.
Many STDs go unnoticed, so it is important to get tested through our clinic or your regular health care provider if you are sexually active.
If you are experiencing symptoms of an STD, come to our clinic or visit your regular medical provider immediately.
WHY THE EMPHASIS ON SYPHILIS TESTING?
Syphilis is especially important to be testing for right now if you hook up with guys. The Twin Cities, like other large cities throughout the nation, is experiencing an increase in syphilis cases in gay and bisexual men. Syphilis is easy to get (skin-to-skin contact, such as unprotected oral sex), is easy to miss (most guys diagnosed through the HIM Program with syphilis had no idea they were infected), but is easy to cure if diagnosed within the first year of infection.
Be sure to get tested at least annually, and consider testing more frequently if you have multiple sex partners, hook up online, or have sex while using or with someone using drugs (crystal meth, for example).
WHAT IS THE COST OF STD TESTING?
Syphilis testing is available free through the HIM Program.
Full STD testing services are provided regardless of a person's ability to pay, and charges are based on a sliding-fee scale. We accept most forms of health insurance, so please bring your insurance card. Donations are also welcome. Finances should never be a barrier to accessing sexual health services through the Hennepin County Public Health Clinic.
HOW DO I GET MY RESULTS?
Results are obtained by calling the clinic at 612.543.5555 during our regular business hours.
WHAT IF I TEST POSITIVE FOR AN STD?
Red Door Services of the Hennepin County Public Health Clinic provide both testing and treatment for STDs. If you test positive for an STD, we will treat you at our clinic. Both oral medications and injection medications will be administered by a nurse practitioner after making a diagnosis. Dermatology treatment is available to people diagnosed with genital warts or molluscum contagiosum. STDs that require more invasive treatment procedures, such as genital warts inside the rectum, will be referred out to a specialist.
HOW DO I TELL MY PARTNERS I TESTED POSITIVE?
Telling your sexual partners you have tested positive for an STD is an important step in helping control infections.
It might not be easy, but HIM Program staff are happy to provide referrals for partner notification services, as well as help strategize around talking to sexual partners (whether someone you've been partnered to for 10 years or someone you met online last week).
Check out InSPOT to notify your partners if you test positive for an STD. You can send them an E-card either with your information or anonymously. Also, partner notification services are available through the Minnesota Department of Health. Call them at 651.201.4021 to get help notifying your partners.
Email us or feel free to set up an appointment to come in for counseling if you need support around telling your partners.
WHAT IF MY STD TESTS ALL COME BACK NEGATIVE?
Good news! Most STDs can be identified within 1 - 2 weeks of infection, so unless you've had risk during that time period, your test results are accurate.
Syphilis, much like HIV, can take up to three months to show up on a test. Therefore, a negative test today means you were not infected with syphilis as of three months ago. Any risk you may have had in the past three months would not necessarily be covered. Another test would be recommended at three months to close your window period.
Click here for more information on HIV testing.
Click here for more information about sexual health counseling.