Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are a serious problem in Oklahoma, and testing can help combat this. When someone knows their STI status, which they can only be certain about through testing, it can help them prevent spreading the infection to a partner. When someone knows their STI status, it helps them make smart decisions that can keep them and their partner(s) safe.
(Need some information about STIs in general? Check out this web page from the CDC!)
But going to get tested in a clinic may not be an accessible option for everyone. Transportation, finances, insurance coverage, or locating a safe and inclusive clinic could all be issues that prevent someone from going to get tested for STI’s. Local clinics are a wonderful resource (find some here!), but a young person pursuing sexual health testing may want a level of privacy not offered at a local clinic – where they may run into a peer or fear a doctor would tell their parents.
At Home STI Testing to the Rescue!
At home STI testing is a safe, private way to get tested that breaks through a few of those barriers mentioned above. It’s an (often) free option for anyone who can access the online platforms that offer at-home test kits to be ordered. We have sourced a few of these resources for you down below!
Okay but like, I am not a doctor…
Thankfully, someone does not need ANY medical experience because at home test kits often include very thorough instructions. Some tests do require swabbing certain areas of the body or gathering specific body fluid samples, and this process could feel uncomfortable. However, the instructions are there to guide users through the process, and we feel that taking your health into your own hands should be a normalized experience!
In fact, we think STI testing in general should be a normalized process. As a reminder, STI’s do not always show up with symptoms, so getting tested regularly is a health practice recommended to someone who is sexually active. Now “regularly” may mean something different depending on the sexual experiences of that individual and their partner. But as a general practice, if there was a potential exposure – through unprotected oral, anal, or vaginal sex – then getting tested may be beneficial.
Most STIs do not show up immediately in tests either, so waiting to test until two weeks after potential exposure can improve the accuracy of the tests. In fact, at-home HIV testing is available, but those tests are less accurate until a few months after potential exposure.
Whoa, wait… I can test myself for HIV at home?
Absolutely! The HIV test kit is an at-home oral test kit. While HIV is not transmittable through saliva, the oral test kit uses saliva to detect if there are signs of HIV in the body. However, it takes at least three months after exposure for those “signs” to show up through an oral test. Because of this timeline, the oral tests are not accurate for detecting HIV earlier than three months after potential exposure, and an at-home oral HIV test should be done no earlier than three months after potential exposure.
What happens after I do the at-home testing?
Typically, results will be communicated from the clinic via a secure online portal or a phone call. In either case, privacy and confidentiality are paramount and an individual’s information should only be shared with that individual. If someone does test positive for certain STIs it may be recommended that they share that information with any previous partners who may also be exposed.
Where do I order an at-home test kit?
I Want The Kit (IWTK) is a medical resource that provides at home test kits to anyone who qualifies. Currently, they serve over 15 states, including Oklahoma, with free, confidential, at-home testing kits you can order online.
Native Test is a project funded by the Indian Health Service with back from the Minority HIV/AIDS Fund. By simply texting “native test” to 55251, someone can get connected to at-home STI and HIV testing.
Guiding Right offers an online order form for free at-home HIV testing. Packaging is discreet and quick, and the at-home HIV test kits do not have to be returned in the mail to see results. If someone tests positive using one of these at-home HIV tests they are encouraged to visit a local clinic to get a blood test and confirm the positive result.
Ultimately, at-home STI testing is a helpful resource for a variety of reasons. It’s often entirely free, including shipping costs, and relatively quick wait. It can also give someone the confidence they need to keep up with their physical and sexual health from the comfort of their own home.
