I've been tested . . . now what?

While you may feel anxious as you wait for the results of your test(s), you should also remember--you've taken an important step toward taking charge of your sexual health. Left untreated, many sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can cause serious health problems, including pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility, cirrhosis, and cancer. While not all STIs can be cured, they can be treated. But the only way to know if you have an STI is to get tested.

If the test is positive . . .
If your test results are positive, you are not alone. About 19 million people in the United States are diagnosed with an STI each year.

Not everyone will react the same way to a diagnosis. While some may feel upset or embarassed, others may react with relief at finding a cause for their symptoms, or be grateful they learn of what was a "silent" infection that could have serious long-term consequences if not diagosed and treated.

If your test is positive, here are some things to keep in mind:

• If you are diagnosed with a bacterial infection like chlamydia or gonorrhea or other infection that can be trated with antibiotics, make sure you take all of your medication exactly as it was prescribed. Talk to your recent sexual partners about getting tested and treated as needed.
• If you've been diagnosed with a viral infection such as genital herpes or HPV, talk with your healthcare provider about available treatment options.
• If you're feeling upset or emotional about your diagnosis, talk with someone you trust about your feelings, With time, these feelings often improve.

If the test is negative . . .
A negative test could mean that you do not have a sexually transmitted infection. However, in some cases, it is possible that not enough time has passed for the infection to be detected.

For example, the HIV test does not detect HIV. Instead, it detects antibodies to HIV that your body develops after infection. Most people infected with HIV will have detectable antibodies within 3 months of exposure to HIV, the average being 25 days. This is sometimes called a testing "window period." If a person tests negative for HIV too soon after a potential exposure, it could mean that not enough time has passed for detectable antibodies for develop. If you are thinking of getting tested for STIs, keep this window period in mind--it is different for different STIs.

Of course, your negative test could simply mean that you do not have an STI. If that's the case, it would be an excellent opportunity to learn more about preventing STIs in the future. There are many ways you can prevent infection, including:

• mutual monogamy with an uninfected partner.
• using latex condoms consistently and correctly every time you have sex (if you want to learn more about using latex condoms, check out our condom animation).
• talking to your partner about STIs and sexual health before sexual activity.
• having regular check-ups , at least once yearly, if you are sexually active.

Remember, don't be afraid to talk honestly with your healthcare provider about your sexual practices or to ask about STI tests, including determining which STIs you've been tested for – and which you haven't been.