The short answer is yes: you can go to the emergency room to get tested for an STD. Whether you want to get tested as a precaution or are experiencing a physical manifestation that you think is related to an STD, a place to start is in the emergency room. However, depending on the severity of your symptoms, online STD testing is more often the faster, more cost-effective, and more personalized option.
Some people choose to go to the emergency room for an STD test because they would rather not go to a private practice or their primary care doctor. The reasons for this may be related to privacy or the inability to make an appointment in time.
The bottom line is that if you are experiencing symptoms and want an answer as quickly as possible, you do have options.
What can I expect if I get tested at an ER?
Testing for an STD in an emergency room is fairly simple and similar to the testing process in any other clinical setting. The general process includes the following:
- First, the doctor checks your physical complaints and determines whether they may be related to an STD.
- Second, based on the results of your physical examination, the provider will perform an STD test.
- Thirdly, you will have blood drawn and/or you will be asked to provide a urine sample.
- Fourth, the provider can use a cotton swab to collect samples from the affected area. If you are a woman, a pelvic exam will usually be performed.
If you are looking into going to the ER for an STD, you may be experiencing some level of stress right now, albeit low to high. Below you will find an overview of the times when it may be necessary to be tested for an STD. Rest assured that you are not alone and that there are resources available to you.
Testing may be necessary when:
- You have unprotected sex.
- If you discover physical symptoms of an STD.
- Annually, if you are female and under 25 years of age.
- Annually, if you are sexually active with multiple partners.
- Pregnant women as a precaution to detect syphilis or chlamydia, which can be transmitted to a baby.
Now that you know you can go to the ER for an STD test, let’s see how much these tests cost.
How much does an STD test cost in an ER?
The amount you pay for an STD test varies depending on where you go to get the test, what tests you need, your income (in some cases), and whether you use insurance to pay for your tests.
In most cases, if you are insured, the cost can be $50 to $100. In the event that your insurance is not accepted, the maximum amount you will have to pay is $250.
When should I go to an ER for STD testing?
Going to the emergency room for an STD test may be a good idea if you experience symptoms that are painful or interfere with your normal activities. In addition, if you find yourself in the emergency room for an unrelated reason, this is a good opportunity to request an STD test as a preventative measure.
In a study conducted in the Baltimore, Mayland area, men and women visiting the emergency room were asked if they would agree to STD screening.1 Fourteen percent of the participants tested positive for gonorrhea or chlamydia.1 This is a formidable number, especially considering the highly transmissible nature of these two STDs and the fact that these participants may have passed them on to a sexual partner without being aware of their existence in their own bodies.
Symptoms to look out for
When considering which symptoms might really warrant a trip to the emergency room, you want to think in terms of pain level and the intrusive nature of the symptoms themselves. If you are in a lot of pain and the symptoms are interfering with your daily tasks, a visit to the emergency room may be warranted.
Here is a list of common STD symptoms that can be considered disturbing, painful and disruptive:
- Painful urination
- Pain in the lower abdomen
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Diarrhea
- Coughing and shortness of breath
- Chills or fever higher than 100.4 F (38 C) for several weeks
- Rash marked by red or reddish-brown sores the size of pennies on any part of your body, including your palms and soles of your feet
- Lack of coordination
- Numbness
- Paralysis
- Blindness
- Dementia
If you experience one or more of these symptoms and are concerned that you may have an STD, feel free to go to the emergency room for STD testing and treatment.
What are my options?
If you would rather not go to the ER for an STD test, you also have options. ER visits can be very expensive, and if your symptoms are minor or you suspect you have contracted an STD but are not showing symptoms, these options may make more sense for your situation.
First concern
There are several benefits to visiting your doctor for an STD test. Such benefits include the following:
- STD testing can become part of your routine healthcare and your data is centrally located.
- If your STD test results indicate an infection, you will have quick access to treatment.
- Primary care environments can provide a level of comfort during high-stress situations.
However, not all doctor’s offices test for STDs and sample collection may include more invasive methods such as pap smears or physical examinations.
Emergency aid
The benefits of getting STD testing at an urgent care facility instead of the emergency room are as follows:
- A visit to an urgent care facility can be cheaper than going to an emergency room.
- Most people want STD testing to provide results quickly, and sometimes it’s easier to go to an urgent care facility for a visit, rather than making an appointment with your primary care doctor.
- Urgent care facilities offer free testing with your primary care physician, who may interact with your family and friends.
However, in addition to these benefits, emergency walk-in care may involve long wait times and may not have the privacy measures of online testing.
Order tests online
There are numerous benefits to ordering STD tests online. First, online testing saves you the expensive costs associated with emergency room visits and co-pays at urgent care facilities and your primary care office. Additionally, online ordering provides accurate testing in a comfortable, safe, and private environment.
Other benefits of ordering STD tests online include:
- You take the test when you are ready.
- You don’t have to feel shame or nervousness.
- The tests are just as accurate if you order online.
Priority STD Testing offers STD testing for all major STDs and STDs in the United States. You can order a test for one STD, but you can also opt for tests that test for multiple STDs at the same time.
Conclusion
The benefits of STD testing far outweigh any nervousness you may feel when considering where to go and who to trust with your STD testing needs. And yes, you can go to the ER for an STD test, but now you are armed with several options and can choose the one that is right for you.
Sources
- Mehta, S. D., Rompalo, A., Rothman, R. E., Londner, M. S., & Zenilman, J. M. Generalizability of STD screening in urban emergency departments: comparison of results from inner-city and urban locations in Baltimore, Maryland. Sexually transmitted diseases2003, 30(2), 143–148. https://journals.lww.com/00007435-200302000-00010