STD vs. STI Testing in Southeast Texas

If you’re sexually active, it’s crucial to be tested regularly for the safety of you and your partner. But what is the difference between an STI and an STD, and how does testing work? Affinity Urgent Care helps clarify these two terms and explains the importance of staying on top of your sexual health.

What’s the Difference Between an STD vs. STI?

The main difference between an STD and an STI is the name—an STD is a sexually transmitted disease, and an STI is a sexually transmitted infection. Sexually transmitted infections (caused by viruses, bacteria, or parasites) are only considered diseases when they cause symptoms.

The term STI is more accurate for most cases, and many people can have an infection but not be symptomatic, which is why it’s so important to be tested regularly even if you do not have symptoms. In addition, the term “disease” may have a negative connotation, creating stigma surrounding these conditions and making it less likely for individuals to get tested.

When To Get Tested for an STI

Depending on your sexual lifestyle, you should be tested every 3-6 months or once a year with one partner. It’s critical to be tested if you are showing any symptoms, and it’s also important to be tested if you:

• Have multiple sexual partners
• Plan to have sex with a new partner
• Have concerns that you were exposed to an STI  
• Had unprotected sex

The STD/STI Screening Process

STI testing may involve taking a blood sample or collecting a sample via swab, depending on the infection you’re being tested for and your symptoms. Affinity Urgent Care tests for the following conditions:

• Gonorrhea  
• Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)  
• Genital herpes
• Syphilis  
• Chlamydia  
• Trichomoniasis

We offer the following tests at our clinic:

• Xpert® CT/NG – A PCR test that detects Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG)
• Xpert® Xpress MVP test – An accurate PCR test that tests for vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC), trichomoniasis (TV), and bacterial vaginosis (BV)
• Xpert^® TV – A test for trichomoniasis that provides results in 90 minutes or less
• DPP^® HIV-Syphilis – A rapid dual test that provides reliable results within 15 minutes for both HIV and Treponema pallidum (syphilis)

If your test comes back positive, our medical team will offer support and provide you with a treatment plan to resolve your condition.

Supporting Responsible and Safe Sexual Health

Affinity Urgent Care provides comprehensive STD and STI testing with same-day results for patients in Southeast Texas—no appointment necessary. We are open every day during extended hours for your convenience. If you’re looking for a clinic to perform your STI/STD tests, contact us today or walk into our office.