what does the STD test look like?

[cpl36996]

we r new in the lifestyle and wife and i would like to know how an STD test
look like and what should we look for in the test.

[highlander]

STD test reports vary somewhat. You can see some examples of online reports at
STD Testing. STD Medication. World-Class Service. SxCheck.

They are affiliated with a non-profit service at AIM Healthcare - Home
Aim Foundation has affiliates in every city through labcorp and some other companies.

(I did my tests direct through AIM and got a faxed report-the full panel was $330 or so-and I'll get another HIV/G/C screen in 90 days).

Public health departments will do anonymous testing-and it will be less expensive, but you won't get a good report with your name on it. They may also use less sensitive tests for some STD's than you will see at AIM and most public health departments are not testing for Herpes(HSV) yet. Another less popular service that will validate test results and let you share them online is
CheckTonight

Anyhow, Porn actors get tested 2 times per year for a wide variety of STD's(HIV, HSV(Herpes), Syphilis, Gonorrhea, Chlamydia, Hepatitis A/B/C). They also get tested monthly for HIV, Gonorrhea, Chlamydia. The first is obviously potentially fatal-the other two are a lot more common and spread a lot faster(and if folks show up with them, they'll retest for others immediately).

Anyhow, even if you have a non-treatable, STD you can still swing-but you may want to focus on partners that have a similar STD status to yourself. A big chunk of the sexually active population are HSV+(i.e. they have herpes-many of whom have no obvious symptoms and don't know it, but can spread it). Some other swingers will play with others that are STD+ if a condom is used. The mainstream public health line is that condoms are effective for stopping most STD's. I'm very suspicious about that claim with regard to Herpes. Herpes can be treated with anti-viral drugs that some folks think make its spread less likely. The other thing you may want to consider is what test results you want from folks you want to swing with-and how you want to share you own. Many swingers do not share test results-some do. It is a LOT easier to find tested partners if you are tested yourself.

Another thing you may want to consider is getting vaccinated for Hepatitis A/B. Those diseases are rather rarely transmitted via sex, but they can be prevented. Some younger women are getting Gardasil which is a vaccine for HPV.

Anyhow, watch the Porn 101 video at AIM Healthcare - Home. It explains what the various tests are(it is an orientation film for porn actors-but the info is applicable to others).

[BiloxiCouple]

I bet your physician will do one too. Public health like stated above. I don't carry one around with my name on it. If you ask I'll tell or I may not, the test is my business.

I have never heard of a swinger carrying their STD test around with them. I am sure there are those that do but that is is another post

[highlander]

The big problem:
Many doctors aren't that familiar with the issues surrounding a VERY sexually active population.

If you are swinging regularly, testing for say HSV(Herpes) may be more important for you than someone that has 1-2 additional partners a year. I haven't seen any good studies that specifically relate to sexual health of swingers-and until such studies have been done, there is a lot of guesswork involved.

The test for HSV is pretty new. The PCR tests for other STD's are also pretty new. I wouldn't expect all docs to know about these unless they really specialize in that area. That is part of what I like about AIM-they really are keeping up on the technology. One thing I don't get is why they don't offer a trich. test--but I suspect there is a reason.

Those folks are used to testing a VERY sexually active population-and their educational material are something you can show a potential partner-and they aren't judgmental. They also give a good report you can show someone and go over with them.

Testing alone helps the security of your future partners. The big win here is if you can convince future partners to get tested regularly or find partners that test regularly. That means you have a less risky pool of partners to choose from-and a greater chance of catching stuff before it gets to you. For stuff like Chlamydia and gonorrhea that move fast, this isn't that much help, unless you have no symptoms(which does happen). A lot of these STD's don't move that fast though. The thing is, it is hard to get someone else to test--or share results- if you don't.

It has only been recently that I got a really good report. What I've found is that since I've had it in hand I meet more folks that appreciate it. The "sharing etiquette" for STD results isn't well established yet, but that will come in time. Some folks want to know-others don't.

Anyhow, I won't personally take someone's word on their test results. A big chunk of folks don't really know what their results mean-or what they've actually been tested for. I see a lot of folks that say they are "clean" but have never been tested for HSV.

According the Checktonight.com site:
"80% of people with an STD lie or do not disclose it to their partners, generally because they do not know they are infected."
"80% of young people infected with an STD do not know they are infected"

Now, those folks are selling a service(validation of STD test results), but those numbers don't surprise me personally.

[lott]

Originally Posted by highlander

The big problem:
Many doctors aren't that familiar with the issues surrounding a VERY sexually active population.

If you are swinging regularly, testing for say HSV(Herpes) may be more important for you than someone that has 1-2 additional partners a year. I haven't seen any good studies that specifically relate to sexual health of swingers-and until such studies have been done, there is a lot of guesswork involved.

The test for HSV is pretty new. The PCR tests for other STD's are also pretty new. I wouldn't expect all docs to know about these unless they really specialize in that area. That is part of what I like about AIM-they really are keeping up on the technology. One thing I don't get is why they don't offer a trich. test--but I suspect there is a reason.

Those folks are used to testing a VERY sexually active population-and their educational material are something you can show a potential partner-and they aren't judgmental. They also give a good report you can show someone and go over with them.

Testing alone helps the security of your future partners. The big win here is if you can convince future partners to get tested regularly or find partners that test regularly. That means you have a less risky pool of partners to choose from-and a greater chance of catching stuff before it gets to you. For stuff like Chlamydia and gonorrhea that move fast, this isn't that much help, unless you have no symptoms(which does happen). A lot of these STD's don't move that fast though. The thing is, it is hard to get someone else to test--or share results- if you don't.

It has only been recently that I got a really good report. What I've found is that since I've had it in hand I meet more folks that appreciate it. The "sharing etiquette" for STD results isn't well established yet, but that will come in time. Some folks want to know-others don't.

Anyhow, I won't personally take someone's word on their test results. A big chunk of folks don't really know what their results mean-or what they've actually been tested for. I see a lot of folks that say they are "clean" but have never been tested for HSV.

According the Checktonight.com site:
"80% of people with an STD lie or do not disclose it to their partners, generally because they do not know they are infected."
"80% of young people infected with an STD do not know they are infected"

Now, those folks are selling a service(validation of STD test results), but those numbers don't surprise me personally.

highlander, I like everything you said but I don't know how I would meet others who think like you on the east coast, specifically women.

What do you think I should do to meet others like you?.

Also, what should I do to get tested by AIM since I'm not on the west coast because I would love to to support them?.

[highlander]

Originally Posted by lott

highlander, I like everything you said but I don't know how I would meet others who think like you on the east coast, specifically women.

What do you think I should do to meet others like you?.

Also, what should I do to get tested by AIM since I'm not on the west coast because I would love to to support them?.

First off, I don't think there are a lot of people that are proactive on these points yet. I've met a few via contact sites-but it will take work to meet them. I think the best thing you can do right now is to get tested personally-from the best place you can afford. Although AIM is West Coast, they have affiliates nationwide. You can also use checktonight.com to securely share your results online(you'll need to fill out some HIPPA forms to do so).

I can't promise immediate results here. It is however MUCH easier to get folks to take you seriously once you have results in hand.

[Chris&Amelia]

Why don't you just ask your family doctor? There is a good chance that you'll get it done and your insurance will cover it.

We got ours done recently and we told our doc exactly why we asked. Other then a reminder to use condoms, we didn't get a lecture or anything.

Heck, my urologist was curious about swinging and actually asked me questions on "how would we get started"! When I went to the reception area for settle up my bill, the urologist came out and said "Oh, no charge for you. I learned something new and interesting today." You should have seen the look of confusion on the receptionist...