April 27, 2024

Can I Go To The Emergency Room If I Have An STD?

The quick answer is that you can be tested for an STD at the emergency room. If you want to get tested as a preventative measure or if you are suffering medical symptoms that you believe are related to an STD, you can start in the emergency room. Depending on the severity of your symptoms, however, online STD testing is frequently the faster, more cost-effective, and more private alternative.

Some people choose to go to the emergency room for an STD test rather than visit a private clinic or their primary care physician. This could be due to concerns about privacy or an inability to schedule a timely appointment.

The bottom message is that you do have options if you are suffering symptoms and need an answer as quickly as possible.

What Should I Expect If I Get Tested in an ER?

Being tested for an STD in an emergency room is simple and identical to getting tested in any other clinical environment.

If you’re wondering whether you can go to the ER for an STD, you’re probably feeling some level of tension right now. We’ve compiled a list of situations in which you might need to be tested for an STD. Please know that you are not alone and that there are services available to you.

How Much Does an STD Test in the ER Cost?

The cost of an STD test varies based on where you obtain it, the tests you require, your income (in some situations), and if you utilize insurance to pay for your testing.

If you have insurance, the fee is usually between $50 and $100. If your insurance is not accepted, the most you should have to pay is $250.

Sexually transmitted infections  Office on Women's Health

When Should I Go to the Emergency Room for STD Testing?

Heading to an ER for STD testing might be a smart choice if you’re experiencing symptoms that are uncomfortable or are interfering with your typical activities. Also, if you find yourself in an emergency department for an unrelated issue, it is a good time to obtain an STD test as a precautionary step.

Men and women who visited the ER in the Baltimore, Maryland area were asked if they would submit to undergo STD screening in a research.

14% of participants tested positive for gonorrhea or chlamydia.

1 This is a staggering figure, especially given the highly transmissible nature of these two STDs and the possibility that these participants passed it on to a sexual partner while unaware of its presence in their own bodies.

Symptoms to Watch For

When deciding which symptoms justify a trip to the emergency room, consider the level of pain as well as the intrusive nature of the symptoms themselves. If you are in a lot of pain and the symptoms are interfering with your daily activities, you should go to the ER.