Anyone who is sexually active should consider getting tested for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) to protect your health. Self-requested testing is a fast and easy way to test for some of the most commonly sexually transmitted infections.

“The U.S. STI epidemic shows no signs of slowing. The reasons for the ongoing increases are multifaceted – and so are the solutions. For the first time in decades, we’re seeing promising new STI interventions on the horizon, but these alone will not solve this epidemic. It will take many of us working together to effectively use new and existing tools, to increase access to quality sexual healthcare services for more people, and to encourage ongoing innovation and prioritization of STI prevention and treatment in this country.”  Leandro Mena, MD, MPH, Director of CDC’s Division of STD Prevention

How to request labs:
  • If you have symptoms or have had an exposure, you will need to see a clinician. Please call 541-737-9355 to schedule.
  • If you have no symptoms and have not been notified of a positive partner in the last 90 days, you qualify for self-requested STI testing.
  • Appointments are necessary for lab visits. Please call 541-737-9355 and ask to make a "self-requested lab appointment."
  • Appointments can also be made online inside the Patient Portal. Just visit myhealth.oregonstate.edu to schedule.
  • Test results are posted to the patient portal.
  • We offer low-cost service and discreet billing. Charges show on your account only as "lab."
What tests can I self-request?
  • Chlamydia/Gonorrhea testing can be done with a urine test, vaginal swab, throat swab or rectal swab. Chlamydia and Gonorrhea can also be transferred orally or rectally.
  • Urine Chlamydia/Gonorrhea will detect infections in the vagina or penis. This test will not detect a rectal or oral infection of Chlamydia or Gonorrhea. For this test you will collect your own urine sample.
  • Vaginal Chlamydia/Gonorrhea will detect infections in the vagina and is the preferred sample for people with a vagina as it is a more sensitive test. For this test you will collect your own swab.
  • Rectal Chlamydia/Gonorrhea will detect rectal infections, if you have had receptive anal sex. For this test you will collect your own swab.
  • Throat Chlamydia/Gonorrhea will detect infections in your throat, if you have performed oral sex. For this test, a laboratory professional will collect the throat swab.
  • HIV will detect the presence of antibodies against the virus and the virus itself in your blood. A laboratory professional will collect a sample of blood from a vein in your arm.
  • Syphilis will detect if you have been exposed to the bacteria that causes Syphilis. A laboratory professional will collect a sample of blood from a vein in your arm.

 

When to Test for Sexually Transmitted Infections

Please keep in mind that STIs take time to become detectable. Different infections have different incubation periods from when they are passed and when symptoms appear, and some never develop symptoms at all.

STI Incubation Period
Chlamydia 7 to 21 days
Gonorrhea 2 to 24 days
HIV 7 days to many years
Syphilis 10 to 90 days

Additional information can be found on the CDC website.

Additional STI Testing Resources and Information