There is no need to panic if you do not have an appointment date when visiting urgent care clinics. However, you cannot switch your health management organization (HMO) with any of the urgent care centers nearby. Fortunately, they provide a wide range of services, like laboratory services and physical examinations. It matters to know: does urgent care do std testing? This article will provide the services available at an urgent care center.
One of the benefits of getting tested for STDs at an urgent care clinic is the short waiting time for the test results. Most facilities allow same-day testing, and you can easily walk in without a doctor’s referral.
About Urgent Care Service
Urgent care is all about timely medical care where one doesn’t need any appointment date before seeing a doctor. This is important, especially when you cannot see your doctor or when you require treatment during irregular hours.
When it comes to the testing of STDs, urgent care centers carry out different STD testing such as gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis, and HIV, among others. These tests are usually done using blood or urine samples, and the results are often available within a few days.
Anyone planning to use urgent care must know that it is not a replacement for primary care. The primary usage of the facilities is to offer walk-in, easily accessible, and often emergency treatments for common ailments. However, if you have a primary care doctor, it is advisable to consult him or her for follow-up care.
Does Urgent Care Do STD Testing?
Yes, STD testing is available at urgent care facilities. They provide fast medical diagnosis, and this can be done without any formal bookings to see a doctor. Typically, most urgent care centers have the equipment to conduct an STD test on the spot so that you get results quickly.
To run a test at urgent care, simply go into the center and report your concerns to the staff, and they will direct you on how to undergo the standard tests.
The importance of STD testing
If you don’t know, not all sexually transmitted diseases present symptoms. This implies that you might have an STD without knowing. So, going for an STI test will help you know your health status. In addition, if the test is positive, it will help you start the treatment early.
It is vital to emphasize that STD testing is not only for individuals with many partners; this is because there are some STDs not gotten through sexual intercourse. Some are born with sexually transmitted infections. This can happen in various ways. Read here to see how that is possible.
STDs can affect any person regardless of age or gender, so getting tested is a responsible and healthy way of protecting yourself. As for the testing, there are various choices at your disposal.
You can go to the hospital, or nearby clinics, or even buy a home kit for testing. Most testing services are conducted privately and at a low cost, enabling more people to access the help they require.
Services Available at Urgent Care Centers
These facilities provide diverse services to enable them to meet various emergency healthcare services. Here are some of the services you can access at an urgent care center:
Urgent Care Visits
The urgent care facilities manage different emergency cases such as minor accidents, wounds, traumas, etc. These facilities provide prompt and efficient treatment to patients with minor conditions that do not need hospital admission.
Laboratory Services
Most of the urgent care centers have laboratories where they can conduct simple blood tests and urinalysis, among other tests.
X-rays
It is also noteworthy that some urgent care centers are equipped with the capacity to conduct X-rays. This can be very useful in the diagnosis of fractures, sprains, and other related injuries within the musculoskeletal system.
Being able to get this service at an urgent care center is important to you because there won’t be a need to go to the emergency room.
Vaccinations
Common services that Ucs provides are vaccinations for children as well as for adults. For your flu shots, tetanus boosters, and other immunizations, these centers make sure that you remain protected against diseases that can be prevented.
Prescription Refill
Sometimes you may fail to obtain a refill from your primary health care provider, and the urgent care centers that offer medical services can let you get a refill. They can also give you temporary prescriptions for some conditions and symptoms as an interim measure while waiting for the regular doctor to be available.
Physical Exams
It is also important to note that some of the services that are provided in an urgent care center include physical examinations for school, work, or sports. Such examinations can also be done to confirm that you are in good health status, and this can be done at an urgent care center, and it will not take long.
STD Testing Options
In Urgent Care, there are many tests possible, and the doctor will conduct tests that are easy, private, and efficient. Here are some of the types of STD testing available at urgent care centers:
1. Blood Tests
STD testing is one of the essential services that people can access at an urgent care center, and blood tests are the most popular form of testing. Such tests can determine several sexually transmitted diseases like HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis.
A blood sample is normally collected from your arm and requires blood to be drawn and then sent for testing. As a rule, the results are obtained within a few days after the analysis of the samples.
2. Rapid Testing
Some urgent care centers have rapid testing, which makes it possible for them to give results in less than 15 minutes. Certain infections, including HIV and hepatitis, can be tested for through over-the-counter rapid tests. Such testing is particularly perfect for everyone who wants to get a quick result.
3. Physical Exams
Besides laboratory examination, the centers may also provide a physical examination to assess symptoms of sexually transmitted diseases. A healthcare provider looks at your genitals, mouth, or throat for signs of disease or infection. It is also useful when used alongside testing to guarantee a thorough assessment of your sexual health.
Benefits of Getting STD Tested and Urgent Care
- Fast
One of the benefits of seeking STD testing at urgent care is that the service providers are easily readily available to carry out the tests and treatments. Most of the urgent care centers do not require a prior appointment. With this, a patient doesn’t need to wait for days or weeks to get an appointment to see a doctor.
- Privacy
No one wants his or her data to be shared without permission. With urgent care, your privacy matters. Whatever the outcome of the results is, only you and the lab scientist know. It is against their ethics to disclose a patient’s result to any other person, including the staff in the clinic.
Your results will not be disclosed to any other individual; they will only be disclosed to you and the healthcare provider if you approve that, especially to facilitate any treatment at any of their centers.
- Comprehensive Testing Options
Asking does urgent care does std? They do, and that’s not the only test they provide in their various clinics. There are a lot of STD testing options at an urgent care center: chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, HIV, and more. It means that you can have all the tests done in one center.
- Treatment and Counseling
Apart from conducting tests, urgent care centers can also treat and counsel those who test positive. This means that you can receive medical attention and treatment in case of an STD or any other issues that may arise from the test.
- Affordable
Affordability is one of the reasons people use urgent care facilities. To do a blood test or any other type of test at an urgent care clinic is budget-friendly. The fast result does not come with extra charges. What you must know is that the cost of STD testing at urgent care centers is more affordable than when you visit other doctors’ offices or clinics.
Insurance costs bring the price down. However, those without insurance can still use any of their facilities, just that the price will be a bit higher. Most urgent cares take insurance, and the charges are affordable for any patient who is self-paying.
Read also: How Much Is STD Testing At Planned Parenthood?
Cost of std testing at urgent care
STD testing at an urgent care center costs about $124 for a visit. This price may also be different depending on the type of tests and any other additional services.
However, despite that, some urgent care centers may not advertise that they provide STD testing; they can sometimes do so at a lower price or accept insurance. So, it is always advisable to check on the price and insurance that the center offers before making an appointment.
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