? Call or visit your local health clinic to get tested. It often costs less than a private physcian's office because what you pay is based on your income and the size of your family. If you are over 14 years old the information will be kept private.

? Call your medical provider and get tested. Be sure to discuss their confidentiality policy so only people you want to know have access to your medical records.

? Talk with your parents and ask them to make an appointment with your family medical provider. Family support is an vital part of prevention, testing and treatment.

? Talk with your school counselor or school nurse. They can also help you find a clinic or give you ideas about how to avoid Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) and talk with your partner and family.

Call a National hotline and ask for information about Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) and HIV/AIDS testing.

National Centers for Disease Control 1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800 232-4636)

Getting Tested ? What To Expect

The majority of of the public health clinics in Idaho have ?same day appointments?. You call the clinic in the morning and are given an appointment to come in later that same day. The entire appointment typically takes less than an hour.

There are also ?walk in? appointments, where you can go to the clinic on certain days and be seen on a first come, first serve, basis; nonetheless, the time you have to wait may be longer ? it depends on how many people come to the clinic that day.

The physcian or nurse will ask you questions and depending on your past or symptoms, you may be tested for chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, hepatitis, HIV, herpes, trichomoniasis (Trich) or bacterial vaginosis . All you have to do to find out when you have chlamydia or gonorrhea is give a urine sample ? it's totally painless. Syphilis, hepatitis and herpes are tested from a blood sample, unless you have an open sore ? then the syphilis and herpes tests are gathered from rubbing a cu-tip on the sore.

You will receive the results of your Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) test back within 7 to 10 days. If you test positive, the nurse will call you to come back to the clinic for treatment and to advise you on ways to manage your infection and keep from contracting it again.

HIV is tested from a sample taken from inside of your cheek or from a blood sample. The results from the oral HIV test are available rapidly - within 15 ? 20 minutes; nonetheless, when the quick result is positive, you'll need another HIV test to verify the result. The second test result will be available within 7 ? 10 days.

If you believe you have been exposed to HIV, by all means, get tested right away. Notwithstanding, you'll need to come back and get tested again 3-months after the exposure. The 3 month ?window period? is typically how long it takes for a person who's been infected with HIV to test positive.

At public health departments and community health clinics, the cost of the visit depends on your income and family size. If you do not have any way to pay, you'll not be denied care - the clinic will still help you. You can call the clinic or visit their website to find out more about hours, fees and insurance.

All the information about your appointment is kept private and confidential. What's said in the clinic, stays in the clinic; nonetheless, when you are under 14 years old, or a victim of abuse, your parents must be notified.