Waiting for your test results can be a stressful experience, especially when it comes to sexually transmitted diseases and sexual health. However, there are many reasons to explain longer wait times for STD results.
Although it’s easy to imagine the worst, it’s important to keep an open, positive mind while the lab processes your sample. But if your STD test takes longer than usual, does that mean you should expect a positive result? In this article we answer these common problems and more!
How long does an STD test take?
Most STD testing providers promise results between a few days to a week. At Priority STD Testing (PSTD), we process the results within 24 to 72 hours after collection. However, there are many factors that can affect the timeliness of your results, including the type of test, type of test provider, and laboratory delays.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), individuals who test positive for an STD should do so seek treatment as soon as possible and abstain from sexual contact.1 And while home remedies for STDs can relieve symptoms briefly, they are not considered a form of treatment.
While waiting may seem like a waste of time, testing is the only way to diagnose a possible STD and begin treatment.
Why are my STD test results taking so long?
If your results take longer than expected, it can cause understandable stress and anxiety. As a sexually active adult, you want to know as soon as possible whether you test positive.
Some of the most common causes of delays are bad weather or staff shortages. Retests may be performed to rule out false positive results. If you have been tested for a panel of sexually transmitted infections, many STD testing providers wait to release the results until all testing has been completed. Additionally, STD testing at the doctor’s office can only notify patients of positive results. If you are getting tested at an urgent care facility or related healthcare provider, no news may be good news!
Do bad results last longer?
Not necessary. Longer waiting times cannot be used to accurately determine the result of an STD test. Labs may require a second round of testing to ensure the accuracy of the results. However, the time required to confirm the results is usually negligible.
Are blood tests faster than urine sample tests?
Regular STD checks usually require samples such as a swab of the genital area, a blood sample or a urine test. The type of testing method certainly affects how quickly the laboratory can release a result.
In general, STD blood tests are very accurate and generally quicker to process than urine tests. With rapid tests, results are often ready within a few minutes; however, their testing accuracy is not as reliable. At PSTD, our tests are FDA approved and performed in CLIA-certified labs, making them the most accurate compared to non-certified options.
Does an HIV test take longer?
Depending on the type of test, the turnaround time for an HIV test may take longer. For example, the HIV 4th generation Ab/Ag test can provide results within 24 to 72 hours. This test should not be performed until 3 months after the presumed time of infection.
However, our specialty tests, such as the HIV RNA Early Detection test, may take up to five business days to process. Although the early detection test may require longer processing times, it can provide reliable results for those exposed within nine days of infection.
What to do if you can’t wait
From the types of STDs being tested to delays in lab processing, there are many reasons why a test may take longer than expected. Although the wait can be stressful, there are many ways to decompress while your test is being processed. Meditation, exercise, and other self-care methods are all good ways to reduce anxiety.
At PSTD, we provide fast, accurate, and convenient access to STD testing for infections like chlamydia, herpes, gonorrhea, syphilis, and more. You can get tested the same day and results are available within 24 to 72 hours through a secure patient portal.
If you have any concerns about your health or the status of your STD test, our healthcare consultants are always willing to talk you through the process, helping you understand when to expect your specific results, what precautions you should take while you wait and what safe sex is. practices that we should take into account in the future.
Sources
- “The Overview of How to Prevent Sexually Transmitted Diseases.” CDC online. Accessed February 10, 2022. https://www.cdc.gov/std/prevention/lowdown/.