Your visit, in three steps
Have a conversation
Talk about symptoms or possible exposure, and ask which tests you need.
Give a sample
The sample depends on the test. You may give urine, blood, oral fluid, or a swab.
Get results & next steps
Ask when results will arrive and what happens if you need treatment or another test.
Before you book: Under 18 or using someone else’s insurance? Ask who can see your results and billing information. Consent to care does not guarantee privacy. Read about consent and privacy.
Recent HIV exposure: If you may have been exposed to HIV in the past 72 hours, contact a healthcare provider, urgent care, or an emergency department now about PEP. The sooner it starts, the better. Do not wait for symptoms or a later test. Learn about HIV PEP.
A closer look at your appointment
Pre-Test
Appointment & form
This part begins when you make the appointment and complete a test form.
Clinics may ask for more information than community health centers. During this time, you can let the health worker know what you want to get tested for, and how you believe you were exposed, if that applies.
Testing
Rapid: 10-20 min to read · Lab: 2-5 business days
You may give a urine, oral fluid, swab, and/or blood sample:
- Urine
- Some tests for gonorrhea, chlamydia, and trichomoniasis use urine. Depending on your anatomy and exposure, vaginal, throat, or rectal swabs may be needed at the same visit, even without symptoms. Tell your provider about the kinds of sex you have had.
- Blood
- Tests for hepatitis C, HIV, and syphilis. Community health centers often use a lancet on the fingertip for rapid results. Clinics may draw blood from the inner elbow to send to a lab.
Test sensitivity and timing depend on the specific test. For HIV, a laboratory antigen/antibody test usually detects infection sooner than antibody-only rapid tests. Ask which test you are receiving.
Post-Test Counseling
Results & follow-up
The health worker or clinician should provide prevention counseling — a conversation about your current prevention strategies and a plan for the future.
You may be offered referrals to other prevention services like PrEP and the HPV vaccine. You'll receive your results and follow-up information for any samples sent to a lab — ask the tester or clinician how soon to expect them.
Ask about retesting. An early negative result may need repeating. Your provider can explain the window period for each test and arrange follow-up. Throat and rectal infections can be missed by urine testing, so ask about swabs for any exposed sites.
Consent, billing & privacy
Check these details before arranging your visit. Ask the clinic how they apply to you.
Getting Tested Under 18
Arkansas minors can consent to STI care without parental permission. Privacy rules have exceptions, so ask the clinic who may receive information before your visit.
- Minor consent (Ark. Code Ann. § 20-16-508)
- Minors who believe they have a sexually transmitted disease may give consent for care by a hospital, public clinic, or physician; the consent of a parent or guardian is not necessary. The same law permits physician-directed disclosure to a parent or guardian, even without the minor’s permission.
- Title X (42 C.F.R. 59.10(b))
- Title X-funded family planning services have additional federal consent and confidentiality protections. Ask the clinic whether these apply to your visit and how it follows the current rules. Projects encourage family participation when practical. HHS Title X confidentiality guidance.
- Billing caveat
- If you are insured on a parent or guardian's plan, a charge may appear on a monthly benefits report. To protect confidentiality, consider a clinic or community health center that does not require insurance. The county health units do not require insurance for testing or treatment, though they may not have all tests available.
Sources:
Minor Consent and Confidentiality — Arkansas (National Center for Youth Law)
Title X Family Planning Program and Minors' Access (NCYL Appendix I)
Learn more about minor consent laws in Arkansas →
Your Privacy & Reporting
Clinicians are required to report certain positive results of communicable diseases, which includes STIs. Under Arkansas Code 20 CAR § 102-122, clinicians and labs must report these within 24 hours of diagnosis:
- Reported within 24h
- Syphilis, congenital syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, HIV, chancroid, lymphogranuloma venereum, granuloma inguinale, and ophthalmia neonatorum (gonorrhea ophthalmia).
- Ask what is reported
- Reporting rules depend on the infection and the laboratory result. Ask your provider what information must be sent to public health and how it is protected.
- HIPAA covers most, but not all
- HIPAA applies to covered health plans, clearinghouses, and providers that conduct covered electronic transactions. Whether you use insurance for this visit does not decide the clinic’s HIPAA status. Ask for its privacy notice.
Ask questions: Discuss your concerns with whomever is testing you so that you understand your rights.
What to Say
Talking about STIs can feel awkward. Here are simple scripts to help you communicate clearly with healthcare providers and partners.
At the Clinic or Doctor's Office
You don't need to explain your entire history. Here's what to say:
- If you want to get tested
- "I'd like to get tested for STIs. Which tests do I need for HIV, syphilis, chlamydia, gonorrhea, or other infections? Do I need throat or rectal swabs?"
- If you have symptoms
- "I'm having symptoms like discharge, sores, or pain. I'm worried it might be an STI. Can you check me?"
- If you were exposed
- "A partner told me they tested positive for [STI name]. I need to get tested and treated if necessary."
- If you're pregnant
- "I'm pregnant and want to protect my baby. Which STI tests do I need now, and when should we repeat them?"
- If you inject drugs
- "I inject drugs and want to get tested for HIV, Hepatitis C, and other STIs. I know you won't judge me."
Tip: Healthcare providers are trained to discuss STIs without judgment. Be honest about your concerns so they can give you the best care.
Talking with Partners & Family
Telling a partner about an STI is hard, but it's the right thing to do. All of that guidance lives in one place:
- The basics — how to bring it up
- Talking about STIs with partners and family — when and how to start the conversation.
- Word-for-word scripts — current, future, and past partners, plus tough moments
- The full How to Talk About It guide — including what to say if someone gets upset, and how to talk about substance use with someone you care about.
Your safety matters: If you're in an abusive relationship, talk to a healthcare provider about safe ways to notify your partner. You don't have to do it alone.
Common Questions About Testing
Answers to questions people often have about STIs and getting tested.