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Does urgent care do STD/STI testing​?

Blog
10/7/25

Many urgent care centers offer testing for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) or other sexual health issues. Knowing what symptoms to look for and when to test can help ensure prompt treatment and peace of mind.

Any kind of sex with another person carries a risk of a sexually transmitted infection (STI), which also refers to sexually transmitted disease (STD). It’s important for people who are sexually active to get tested for STIs regularly.

Some STIs don’t have obvious signs or symptoms. For that reason, regular STI testing can help find out sexual health issues early. It can also help prevent serious illness or other effects of untreated STIs, like infertility.

Many urgent care centers, like Crystal Run Urgent Care, offer STI testing and other sexual health services. But the best way to check is to give them a call or visit their website to see what specific tests they can offer.

There are two general types of STI tests. The first is routine screenings, which people have regularly, even without the presence of symptoms. The second is reactive testing, which people get after they have symptoms or think they might have been exposed to an STI.

Routine STI screenings

Sexual health experts recommend that everyone who’s sexually active get regular screenings for common STIs. Speak with a physician for personalized STI testing recommendations.

Testing for STIs after experiencing symptoms

A person who’s experiencing potential symptoms of an STI should visit an urgent care center, a gynecologist or a family medicine physician to get tested and receive a diagnosis.

Signs of an STI or other infection

Here are a few signs and symptoms in the genital area that may suggest it’s time to get a sexual health checkup or STI test:

  • Pain around the belly, in the pelvis or during sex
  • Unusual discharge from the vagina or penis
  • Sores or other open lesions
  • Persistent itching in the genital area
  • An unusual smell
  • Burning feeling during urination
  • Testicles feel heavy
  • Redness (or discoloration) or swelling in the genital area

Types of STD tests and other sexual health care available at urgent care

The following tests or sexual health screenings are often available at urgent care centers:

  • Chlamydia and gonorrhea
  • HIV
  • Genital herpes
  • Syphilis
  • Trichomoniasis
  • Cervical cancer tests, including Pap tests and HPV testing

STI testing process

The type of testing depends on the condition being assessed, but may include:

  • Performing a physical and visual examination by the provider
  • Requesting a urine sample
  • Taking a swab from the genital area, anus or inside the mouth
  • Taking a sample from a sore or of unusual discharge
  • Taking a blood test

Depending on the type of test needed, the screening may take just a few minutes to show results. Or the sample may need to be sent to a lab for further analysis. If results are not available at the time of visit, the person will receive a notification or call when results are available.

Partner treatment

Sometimes, it can help for a person’s sexual partner or partners to receive treatment for the STI at the same time as they do.

If a sexual partner also has the STI, even if they don’t have symptoms, this can help prevent the infection from coming back again.

Those receiving treatment for an STI may want to ask their healthcare team whether this is an option.

STI prevention

Using condoms during sex will greatly help lower the risk of most STIs. There’s also a vaccine that helps protect against certain types of HPV linked to cervical cancer. Regular STI screenings are another way to look after your sexual health.

Takeaway

Sexually active people can help prevent the spread of STIs by using condoms and getting tested regularly, even if they don’t have symptoms. Many urgent care centers offer STI screenings and other sexual health services.

The best way to determine whether a local urgent care center offers these services is to contact them directly or visit their website.

When choosing an urgent care center near you, it’s important to make sure it can offer what you need in order to get the best quality of care before, during and after your visit. Not all urgent care centers are the same or can provide the same services. Crystal Run Urgent Care is directly connected to more than 375 providers in over 50 medical specialties and can schedule a follow-up appointment or specialty consult for patients if needed. Best of all, our urgent care providers are able to see your historical medical information through our shared electronic medical records system and share important information back to your primary care provider and specialists. Crystal Run Healthcare offers four convenient urgent care locations throughout Orange, Sullivan and Rockland counties in Middletown, Newburgh, Rock Hill and West Nyack.