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Do I Really Need to Get a Herpes Test?

Written by Megan on November 8, 2012 — Leave a Comment

Q: I found out that an ex has herpes. I was never told about this and the last time we were together sexually was almost a year ago. I do not know if he had herpes during our time together or not. I never saw any symptoms. Do I need to get a herpes test? I’d hate to waste my money for no reason.

S. Darwin

Salina, KS

A: You have presented a good question. You are concerned with wasting time and money on a herpes test if you do not need one. However, just because you never saw any symptoms does not mean that your ex didn’t have herpes. While herpes often presents itself in the form of ulcers or blisters, many people do not experience symptoms at all. Yet, they can still spread the herpes virus.

It is definitely a good idea to get tested. Regardless of if you have symptoms or not, a blood test will tell you if you have been exposed to the virus. While there is no cure for herpes, treatment has improved drastically and outbreaks can be effectively managed. Herpes is usually not detrimental to your health, it can just be inconvenient at times. If the results of your blood test are negative, you will have the peace of mind you deserve.

Posted in Herpes | Tagged Herpes Test

Do I Need an HIV Test and Other STD Testing?

Written by Megan on November 6, 2012 — Leave a Comment

Q: As a sexually active person, I have always practiced safe sex. I know how important it is to protect myself, as well as others, from STDs. Even though I have diligently protected myself, should I still be tested for STDs and get an HIV test? What are the chances that I have an STD when I’ve always been protected?

T. Omar

Miami, FL

A: It is always a good idea to be screened for STDs. While condoms greatly reduce the chance of contracting an STD, they do not provide 100% protection. There is still a chance you could have an STD, even if you exhibit no symptoms. The best thing you can do is schedule private testing with us at your earliest convenience. It will tell you for certain if you have contracted anything.

As far as an HIV test, yes, you should be tested for HIV. You can be screened for this virus at the same time you are screened for other STDs. We offer testing for various STDs and for HIV, including early detection testing. Your chances of having an STD are reduced; however, protection can fail in some cases. Contact us today and let one of our experts answer any other questions you might have and schedule testing.

Posted in HIV and AIDS | Tagged HIV Test

Can You Help Me with Drug Testing My Employees?

Written by Megan on November 1, 2012 — Leave a Comment

Q: I run a small construction company and I have been thinking about having my three employees submit to drug testing. Can About My Health help me get my employees tested?

G. Franklin
Stillwater, OK

A: About My Health can absolutely help you have your employees screened for drugs. Having your employees screened for drugs will help protect your business, and can also reduce your insurance rates.
You can have your employees screened with either urine or hair follicle tests, although the urine test is the most common among employers. Urine testing will detect recent drug use, making it ideal for new hires, post-accident, or random drug screens. Hair follicle testing will provide an extended window of detection (up to three months or longer), and can detect if someone has a past history of abusing drugs.
If you are considering on-going testing we can also manage a drug-testing account for you. There is no additional cost to set up an account and it also provides the opportunity to receive price breaks for volume testing.

Posted in Drug Testing, Hair Follicle Drug Test, Urine Drug Testing | Tagged Drug Testing

Are There Always Signs of Chlamydia?

Written by Megan on October 30, 2012 — Leave a Comment

Q: My brother has been having unprotected sex with his girlfriend. I heard that his girlfriend had Chlamydia. I have been trying to convince him to seek testing, but he doesn’t think he needs it. Could you tell me some of the signs of Chlamydia? I want to pass the information to my brother, so he will finally realize he needs to be tested.

D. Riley
Tampa, FL

A: You are right in wanting your brother to be tested. The signs of Chlamydia can be hard to notice – in many cases, there are no signs at all. If your brother’s girlfriend had this STD, he definitely needs to seek testing as soon as possible. He may not be having any symptoms, which could be why he doesn’t think he needs to be tested. Remind him that there are symptoms, but that Chlamydia often exhibits no symptoms at all. Roughly 50% of the time men don’t show any symptoms, and about 75% of the time women don’t show symptoms. There are many symptoms associated with Chlamydia; however, the more common ones include:

·    Abnormal discharge from the penis
·    Burning while urinating
·    Itching around the opening of the penis

Posted in Chlamydia | Tagged Signs of Chlamydia

All About Hair Follicle Drug Tests

Written by Megan on October 25, 2012 — Leave a Comment

Q: I was just informed that my employer is going to start using hair follicle drug tests. Please tell me more about this. Am I going to have a huge, bald spot after one of these tests? Is it going to be painful? How accurate are the results? I’ve never taken drugs, but I’m worried about false positives.

O. Paulson
Lincoln, NE

A: Hair follicle drug testing is an alternative of urine testing to detect drugs in the system. When compared to urine testing, hair follicle testing has a much larger window of detection. The test is accurate and positive results go through a multi-step confirmation process, so you don’t have to worry about false positives.

The collection itself is not a painful process. While the technician will take a sample of about 100 hairs, you are not going to be left with a bald spot. The human head has thousands and thousands of hairs – a hundred will not be missed. While you may feel a tiny bit of discomfort during the procedure, a properly trained technician will be done in a timely manner. You have nothing to worry about – the testing is safe, secure and accurate.

Posted in Drug Testing, False Positive/Indeterminate, Hair Follicle Drug Test | Tagged Hair Follicle Drug Test

What to Know about a Hair Follicle Test

Written by Megan on October 23, 2012 — Leave a Comment

Q: My husband just came home from work and told me that he has to take a hair follicle test tomorrow. Neither of us are familiar with these tests. What can you tell us about these tests, as far as the collection procedure, and when will the results be ready?

R. Miller

Tallahassee, FL

A: A hair follicle drug test is different than a urine drug test, because it utilizes strands of hair. When a person takes a urine test, there are various drugs that may not be detected. With a hair follicle test, drugs can be detected for a much longer period of time – sometimes, as much as 90 days. The collection process is simple. The tech will collect about 100 or so strands of hair from your husband’s head. This is not a painful procedure and it will not leave a bald spot.

Results are usually ready in about 3-5 business days. Sometimes, it may take a little longer to get the results, but the average wait time is just a few days. Overall, the hair follicle test just provides a longer window of detection for drug use.

Posted in Hair Follicle Drug Test, Herpes Treatment | Tagged Hair Follicle Test

What to Expect with the HIV Antibody Test

Written by Megan on October 18, 2012 — Leave a Comment

Q: I am thinking about getting tested for HIV. Although I have always practiced safe sex, I’ve heard that it is still a good idea to be tested. I’ve done a little bit of research and would like to know more about the HIV antibody test. What can you tell me about this type of testing?

W. Palmer

Lincoln, Nebraska

A: It is always a good decision to get tested for HIV. Even people who practice safe sex should be tested on a regular basis, especially if they have multiple partners. When it comes to your personal health, as well as your partner’s health, you can never be too cautious. The HIV antibody test is the most common form of screening for the HIV virus.

In most cases the test is performed using a blood sample, which can be collected in a private facility. The antibody test is reliable for any contacts more than six weeks ago, and it considered conclusive for anything more than twelve weeks ago.

Should you decide to test, we can offer same-day collections and fast results for a low cost. Or if you just have questions about if and/or what you need to test for we can help with that also.

Posted in HIV Testing | Tagged HIV antibody test

What to Expect from STD Testing

Written by Megan on October 16, 2012 — Leave a Comment

Q: I have recently became sexually active. I know that in order to be responsible, I need to seek STD testing. Can you tell me more about this type of testing and tell me what I can expect if I utilize your services?

C. Valling

San Francisco, CA

A: Getting tested for STDs is the responsible thing to do as a sexually active person. It is a sign that you respect both your own health as well as your partner’s. Unfortunately, not everyone is as responsible as they should be. Many are afraid to find out the results, while others are just too embarrassed to seek testing. You are making a wise and responsible choice.

The STD testing process is actually pretty simple in most cases. We offer an STD panel that will screen you for some of the more common STDs, such as HIV, chlamydia and herpes. This is not an invasive test, so you don’t have to worry about stripping down and putting on a paper gown. Our tests are performed using a blood and/or urine specimen. All you have to do is contact us to schedule testing. You may even be able to get tested the same day you call. Our testing facilities are private and discreet – no worries about everyone in the neighborhood knowing what you are doing. Once your testing is complete, you can have your results back in as little as 1-2 business days.

Posted in STD Testing | Tagged Find HIV and STD Testing

Can I Seek Anonymous STD Testing?

Written by Megan on October 11, 2012 — Leave a Comment

Q: As a sexually-active adult, I am concerned about possible exposure to STDs. I’m embarrassed to talk to my doctor about testing – he has been my doctor since I was a child. Is it possible to get anonymous STD testing elsewhere?

L. Ellis

Memphis, Tennessee

A: It’s not a bad idea to get tested. Any sexually-active person should be tested on a regular basis, especially if they have been with multiple partners. A lot of people don’t want to talk to their personal doctor about STDs, as it can be tough to talk about sexual matters with a physician that has known you for so many years. Fortunately, you can seek anonymous testing with relative ease.

All you need to do is contact About My Health. We will arrange for anonymous testing at one of our private collection facilities. You won’t have to worry about any paperwork or invasive questionnaires – we strive to protect your privacy at every point of the testing process. You can be screened for a variety of STDs, including HIV, chlamydia and gonorrhea. Testing is performed in a timely manner at a discreet location and your results will be available in a matter of days.

Posted in STD Testing | Tagged anonymous STD testing

What is the Difference Between a Urine and a Hair Follicle Drug Test?

Written by Megan on October 9, 2012 — Leave a Comment

Q: I was just informed that my employer is going to require a hair follicle drug test. I’ve been drug tested before, but never with a hair follicle test. What is the difference between this test and traditional urine testing?

B. Gilley

Little Rock, AR

A: A hair follicle drug test provides a larger window of detection for drug use. With a urine test, there is only a small window of opportunity for detecting drugs. Many drugs, such as cocaine, are only in the urine for a short amount of time. When someone abuses these sorts of drugs and is subjected to a urine test, the drug use may go undetected. With a hair follicle test, there is a much larger window of opportunity. Some drugs can be detected for as long as 90-days – that’s a huge difference from the few days of detection with a urine test.

At the collection site they take about 90-120 strands of hair, which is about the size of a pencil or drinking straw. In most cases the collection is not noticeable. Overall, it is an easy process to get the test done – it just provides more extensive results for the employer.

Posted in Drug Testing, Hair Follicle Drug Test, Urine Drug Testing | Tagged Hair Follicle Drug Test

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Do I Really Need to Get a Herpes Test?

Do I Need an HIV Test and Other STD Testing?

Can You Help Me with Drug Testing My Employees?

Are There Always Signs of Chlamydia?

All About Hair Follicle Drug Tests

What to Know about a Hair Follicle Test

What to Expect with the HIV Antibody Test

What to Expect from STD Testing

Can I Seek Anonymous STD Testing?

What is the Difference Between a Urine and a Hair Follicle Drug Test?

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