STD testing typically includes checks for chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, and HIV. Beyond that core group, what’s included varies depending on your age, sex, sexual history, and whether you ask for additional tests. There’s no single universal panel that every clinic runs, so understanding what’s covered (and what’s not) helps you make sure nothing gets missed.
The Core Infections Most Panels Cover
Most clinics and testing services screen for four to six infections as a baseline. Chlamydia and gonorrhea are almost always included because they’re the most common bacterial STIs and often produce no symptoms. Syphilis and HIV round out the standard group because both have serious long-term consequences if untreated, and both are easily caught with a blood test.
Hepatitis B and hepatitis C are frequently included in broader panels, particularly if you haven’t been vaccinated for hepatitis B or have risk factors like injection drug use. Trichomoniasis, a parasitic infection, is sometimes included but often requires a separate request. The same is true for herpes testing, which most providers deliberately leave off routine panels unless you have symptoms or specifically ask for it.
Why Herpes Isn’t Usually Included
This surprises a lot of people. Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) blood tests have a well-documented problem with false positives, especially in people with a low likelihood of infection or when results fall near the test’s cutoff threshold. The FDA has issued guidance reminding providers that the chance of a false result increases when a person gets tested too soon after exposure, has low risk, or receives a borderline positive result. A false positive for herpes can cause significant psychological distress over an infection that isn’t actually there.
For these reasons, the CDC does not recommend routine herpes blood testing for people without symptoms. If you have sores or blisters, a swab of the affected area is far more reliable. You can still request a herpes blood test, but your provider may want to discuss the limitations first and will likely recommend confirmatory testing if the result comes back positive.
What Samples You’ll Provide
STD testing uses three main collection methods, and you’ll often provide more than one during a single visit.
- Blood draw: Used to diagnose syphilis, HIV, hepatitis B, and sometimes herpes.
- Urine sample: Used to diagnose chlamydia, gonorrhea, and trichomoniasis. You simply pee in a cup.
- Swab tests: Used to diagnose HPV, chlamydia, gonorrhea, and herpes. Swabs can be taken from the genitals, throat, or rectum depending on your sexual history. Many clinics now offer self-collected swabs, so you do the swabbing yourself in a private room.
If you’ve had oral or anal sex, mention it. Urine tests only detect infections at the genital site. Chlamydia or gonorrhea in the throat or rectum requires a swab at those specific locations, and many providers won’t automatically test those sites unless you bring it up.
Who Should Get Tested and How Often
Testing recommendations vary by group. Women under 25 who are sexually active should get chlamydia and gonorrhea tests every year. Men who have sex with men should be tested at least annually for syphilis, chlamydia, gonorrhea, and HIV. Pregnant individuals are typically screened for HIV, hepatitis B, chlamydia, and syphilis, with gonorrhea and hepatitis C added when risk factors are present.
Anyone with a new sexual partner, multiple partners, or a partner who has tested positive for an STI should get tested. If you’ve had unprotected sex with someone whose status you don’t know, testing is reasonable even without symptoms. Most bacterial STIs, particularly chlamydia and gonorrhea, frequently cause no symptoms at all.
Window Periods: When Testing Becomes Accurate
Getting tested the morning after a potential exposure won’t give reliable results. Each infection has a window period, the time between exposure and when a test can detect it.
- Chlamydia and gonorrhea: Detectable within about 1 to 2 weeks after exposure.
- Syphilis: A blood test catches most infections at 1 month and nearly all by 3 months.
- HIV (blood test): Antigen/antibody blood tests catch most infections at 2 weeks, with near-complete accuracy by 6 weeks. Oral swab tests take longer: most detected at 1 month, nearly all by 3 months.
- Hepatitis B: Detectable at 3 to 6 weeks.
- Hepatitis C: Most infections detectable at 2 months, but full confidence requires waiting up to 6 months.
If you’re testing after a specific exposure, the practical approach is to test at 2 weeks for chlamydia and gonorrhea, then again at 6 weeks for HIV (blood test) and syphilis, and once more at 3 months if hepatitis C is a concern. Your provider can help you decide which timeline makes sense for your situation.
Infections You May Need to Request Separately
Several infections aren’t part of standard screening but can be tested if you ask. Trichomoniasis is common, especially in women, but isn’t always included in routine panels. Hepatitis C is typically tested only in people with specific risk factors or those born between 1945 and 1965.
Mycoplasma genitalium is a lesser-known bacterial infection that can cause persistent urethritis or cervicitis. The CDC does not recommend routine screening for it in people without symptoms. Testing is reserved for cases of recurrent urethritis in men or recurrent cervicitis in women, particularly when chlamydia and gonorrhea have already been ruled out. If you’re dealing with symptoms that keep coming back after treatment, this is worth asking about.
At-Home Test Kits vs. Clinic Testing
Home test kits are available for chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, trichomoniasis, and hepatitis C. The lab analysis behind these kits is generally reliable, but accuracy depends heavily on how well you collect your own sample. A poorly collected swab or improperly handled specimen can lead to false negatives, meaning you have an infection that the test misses.
Clinic-based testing has the advantage of trained staff collecting samples and more rigorous quality control in the labs processing them. At-home kits work well for people who face barriers to clinic visits, whether that’s privacy concerns, transportation, or scheduling. But if you test positive on an at-home kit, you’ll still need to see a provider for treatment, and confirmatory testing may be recommended. If you test negative but have symptoms, a clinic visit is the safer next step.
What a Full Panel Looks Like in Practice
If you walk into a clinic and ask for “full STD testing,” you’ll most likely be screened for chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, HIV, and hepatitis B. Some clinics add hepatitis C and trichomoniasis. Almost none will automatically include herpes or HPV (which in women is screened through a Pap smear, not a standard STD panel).
The visit itself is straightforward. You’ll provide a urine sample and have blood drawn. If oral or rectal swabs are needed, the provider will discuss that with you. Results for most infections come back within a few days, though some blood tests may take a week or two. The entire appointment, not counting the wait, typically takes 15 to 30 minutes.
If anything comes back positive, bacterial infections like chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis are curable with antibiotics. Viral infections like HIV and hepatitis B are manageable with ongoing treatment. The key is knowing what you were actually tested for, so you’re not walking around with a false sense of security because an infection you assumed was covered simply wasn’t on the panel.