It’s Best to Test™
 Knowing feels better—get screened for sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
Being tested for STIs, including chlamydia and gonorrhea, is nothing to be embarrassed about—in fact, it can protect your health.
The facts about STIs
Reported STIs in the US continue to increase—particularly in young people.1 Many times, STIs don’t have any symptoms.2,3 You could have an infection and not know it. 
~2.27 M 
cases of chlamydia and gonorrhea reported in 20211
>84% 
of chlamydia and gonorrhea cases are asymptomatic in women4
What happens if you don’t get treatment?
STIs can be dangerous because if left untreated, they can lead to other health problems that could impact your future—or your baby’s, if you are currently pregnant.
STIs that are not treated… 
cause 20,000 women to become infertile each year5,6
STIs may lead to… 
pelvic inflammatory disease, a serious condition that can lead to difficulties getting pregnant5-7

Pelvic inflammatory disease is an infection of a woman’s reproductive organs. It can occur when STIs like chlamydia and gonorrhea are not treated. If the disease is diagnosed early, it can be treated with antibiotics. But treatment will not undo any damage that has happened to your reproductive system, and such damage could even result in infertility.6 That’s why talking to your healthcare provider about timely STI testing is so important.

STIs can be passed on… 
to partners, and, if you are pregnant, to your baby—which could cause serious health problems for your child2,3,5

New screening guidelines are designed to protect your health

In 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated their guidelines for STI testing. They recommend that all women ages 15-24 be tested annually for chlamydia and gonorrhea—whether you are currently sexually active or not.8

You might think you are too young or not at risk for an STI. But, almost 50% of new STIs were in people ages 15-24.9 And remember—in many cases, people never report experiencing signs or symptoms of having an STI.4

Knowing more about your sexual health can help you take steps to avoid serious health problems and prevent spreading an STI to others.

Is testing right for me? 
The only way to know for sure if you have an STI is to get tested. That’s why many major health organizations recommend talking to your healthcare provider about testing. STI testing might be right for you if you fit into any one of the categories below:

Women ages 15-25 should be screened for chlamydia and gonorrhea each year2,3

Sexually active women ages 25 and older should be screened if they have higher risk factors for STIs, such as new or multiple sex partners, or a sex partner who has an STI2,3

Pregnant women should be tested for chlamydia and gonorrhea early in pregnancy2,3
The sooner you get tested, the sooner you can take action to protect your health and the health of your partner. Chlamydia and gonorrhea are treatable and curable with antibiotics.2,3 Most insurance companies cover the cost of treatment via generic antibiotics, which could be available at low to no cost. 

Get tested.
Get answers.

Start taking control of your health.

It’s Best to Test™ with Quest®
Getting tested is easy. STI tests are usually quick and simple. There are 2 ways to get tested.

Doctor visit

Schedule an appointment with your doctor. Ask for your test sample to be sent to Quest Diagnostics®.

STI tests are usually covered by insurance, and Quest is in-network with most major health plans.

Order online from Quest

In the privacy of your own home, purchase the STI test online. No doctor visit required.

Talk to your doctor about STI testing today.

Knowing more about your sexual health can help you take steps to protect you, your partner, and your health.

As part of mandatory reporting requirements to identify potential abuse, when testing minors under the age of consent, healthcare professionals may be required in certain jurisdictions to report positive results of sexually transmitted infection testing to authorities.

References:
  1. CDC. Sexually transmitted disease surveillance 2020. Updated August 22, 2022. Accessed January 19, 2023. https://www.cdc.gov/std/statistics/2020/default.htm
  2. CDC. Chlamydia—CDC basic fact sheet. Updated April 12, 2022. Accessed January 19, 2023. https://www.cdc.gov/std/chlamydia/stdfact-chlamydia.htm
  3. CDC. Gonorrhea—CDC basic fact sheet. Updated August 22, 2022. Accessed January 19, 2023. https://www.cdc.gov/std/gonorrhea/stdfact-gonorrhea.htm
  4. Detels R, Green AM, Klausner JD, et al. The incidence and correlates of symptomatic and asymptomatic Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae infections in selected populations in five countries. Sex Transm Dis. 2011;38(6):503-509
  5. CDC. CDC fact sheet: how STDs impact women differently from men. Accessed January 19, 2023. https://www.cdc.gov/nchhstp/newsroom/docs/factsheets/stds-women.pdf
  6. CDC. Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) – CDC detailed fact sheet. Updated July 21, 2022. Accessed January 19, 2023. https://www.cdc.gov/std/pid/stdfact-pid-detailed.htm
  7. CDC. Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) – CDC basic fact sheet. Updated April 18, 2022. Accessed January 19, 2023. https://www.cdc.gov/std/pid/stdfact-pid.htm
  8. CDC. Sexually transmitted infections treatment guidelines, 2021. Published July 23, 2021. Accessed January 19, 2023. https://www.cdc.gov/std/treatment-guidelines/STI-Guidelines-2021.pdf
  9. CDC. Sexually transmitted infections prevalence, incidence, and cost estimates in the United States. Updated January 25, 2021. Accessed January 19, 2023. https://www.cdc.gov/std/statistics/prevalence-2020-at-a-glance.htm
Image content features models and is intended for illustrative purposes only.
Terms of Use | Privacy Notices | Contact Us | QuestDiagnostics.com | Privacy Shield  | Your Privacy Choices

 Quest,Quest Diagnostics,any associated logos,and all associated Quest Diagnostics registered or unregistered trademarks are the property of Quest Diagnostics. All third-party marks—® and ™—are the property of their respective owners. © 2023 Quest Diagnostics Incorporated. All rights reserved.