(917) 310-3371
Routine screening
Frequency depends on age, anatomy, sexual practices, pregnancy, HIV status, location, and risk. Some people need annual testing; others benefit from testing every 3 to 6 months.
Tell the clinician where exposure occurred
Urine alone can miss infections at the throat or rectum. A clear sexual history helps the clinician choose the right specimens without judgment.
Choose testing by exposure and clinical need
A fixed full panel can create false reassurance if it omits an exposure site, uses the wrong timing, or includes tests that do not answer the clinical question.
Symptoms or partner diagnosis
Discharge, burning, sores, rash, pelvic pain, testicular symptoms, fever, or a partner's diagnosis can change the exam, tests, and decision to treat before results return.
Oral and anal exposure
CDC advises people who have had oral or anal sex to discuss throat and rectal testing. These infections can be present without genital symptoms.
Pregnancy
Pregnancy changes screening schedules, treatment choices, and urgency. Share pregnancy or pregnancy-planning information at the start of the visit.
What happens at a testing and treatment visit
The visit should end with a result plan: which tests were collected, when results are expected, what treatment was given, and what happens next.
1. Private exposure and symptom history
Discuss timing, oral, vaginal, and anal exposure sites, barrier use, symptoms, partner diagnoses, pregnancy, recent antibiotics, prior STIs, and HIV prevention or treatment.
2. Examination when it changes care
Some symptoms require a focused examination. Severe pelvic or testicular pain, pregnancy, fever, eye symptoms, or systemic illness can require urgent escalation rather than routine screening alone.
3. Select the right specimens
The clinician may use blood, urine, and swabs from the vagina, throat, rectum, a lesion, or another affected site. Not every infection has a useful routine screening test.
4. Treat when clinically appropriate
Treatment depends on the suspected or confirmed infection, exposure history, allergies, pregnancy, resistance concerns, and public-health guidance. Do not use leftover antibiotics or assume one drug treats every STI.
5. Close the loop
Review results, complete treatment, avoid sex for the advised period, arrange partner evaluation or permitted partner therapy, and return for test-of-cure or repeat testing when the diagnosis requires it.
Time-sensitive problems should not wait for routine results
Testing is only one part of the decision. Symptoms, pregnancy, assault, and recent HIV exposure can change the safest next step.
Recent possible HIV exposure
Emergency HIV PEP should start as soon as possible and no later than 72 hours after exposure. Do not wait for a routine result appointment.
Sudden severe testicular pain
Sudden one-sided testicular pain can be torsion, a surgical emergency. Seek emergency evaluation immediately.
Pelvic pain, fever, or pregnancy
Pelvic or lower abdominal pain can require prompt treatment for pelvic inflammatory disease. Pregnancy, severe illness, vomiting, high fever, or possible surgical causes can require hospital-level care.
Eye, neurologic, or severe systemic symptoms
Eye pain or vision change, severe headache, confusion, fainting, chest symptoms, or a rapidly spreading rash needs urgent or emergency assessment.
Use emergency care for severe or rapidly worsening symptoms
Call 911 for a medical emergency. Seek immediate evaluation for sudden severe testicular pain, severe pelvic or abdominal pain, fainting, trouble breathing, confusion, or eye symptoms. For a possible HIV exposure within 72 hours, use the urgent HIV PEP pathway or call 844-373-7692.
The visit and each laboratory test may be billed separately
Cost depends on the visit type, examination, specimens, laboratory, treatment, vaccines, and insurance network. Ask which tests are ordered and whether a repeat or test-of-cure visit may be needed.
If insurance privacy or cost is a concern, ask before testing. NYC Sexual Health Clinics offer low- to no-cost services and can be an alternative when private coverage is not practical.
What to bring
Complete records reduce delays, duplicate testing, and avoidable medication errors.
- Dates and sites of recent oral, vaginal, and anal exposures.
- Symptoms, when they began, and any partner diagnosis or test report.
- Pregnancy, pregnancy-planning, contraception, and menstrual information when relevant.
- Recent antibiotics, allergies, current medicines, and prior STI treatment.
- Questions about HIV PrEP, emergency PEP, doxy-PEP, vaccines, or partner care.
Evaluation and coordination locations
Call first to confirm the correct visit, clinician, testing, medication, infection-control, and site-capability requirements. A location card is not a promise of medication stock or same-day administration.
Bronx
174th Street
932 E 174th St, Bronx, NY 10460
This clinic can be a starting point for confidential STI evaluation, testing, and treatment planning. Book first when possible and call to confirm timing, specimen needs, and clinician availability. Serves West Farms, Crotona Park East, and nearby Bronx neighborhoods.
Queens
Astoria
37-15 23rd Ave, Astoria, NY 11105
This clinic can be a starting point for confidential STI evaluation, testing, and treatment planning. Book first when possible and call to confirm timing, specimen needs, and clinician availability. Serves Astoria, Ditmars, East Elmhurst, and nearby Queens neighborhoods.
Bronx
Bartow Mall
2063A Bartow Ave, Bronx, NY 10475
This clinic can be a starting point for confidential STI evaluation, testing, and treatment planning. Book first when possible and call to confirm timing, specimen needs, and clinician availability. Serves Co-op City, Pelham Bay, Baychester, and nearby Bronx neighborhoods.
Brooklyn
Crown Heights
341 Eastern Pkwy, Brooklyn, NY 11216
This clinic can be a starting point for confidential STI evaluation, testing, and treatment planning. Book first when possible and call to confirm timing, specimen needs, and clinician availability. Serves Crown Heights, Prospect Heights, and nearby Brooklyn neighborhoods.
Long Island
Hicksville
232 W Old Country Rd, Hicksville, NY 11801
This clinic can be a starting point for confidential STI evaluation, testing, and treatment planning. Book first when possible and call to confirm timing, specimen needs, and clinician availability. Serves Hicksville, Plainview, Bethpage, and nearby Nassau County communities.
Queens
Jackson Heights
80-10 Northern Blvd, Jackson Heights, NY 11372
This clinic can be a starting point for confidential STI evaluation, testing, and treatment planning. Book first when possible and call to confirm timing, specimen needs, and clinician availability. Serves Jackson Heights, Elmhurst, Corona, and nearby Queens neighborhoods.
Queens
Jamaica
90-18 Sutphin Blvd, Jamaica, NY 11435
This clinic can be a starting point for confidential STI evaluation, testing, and treatment planning. Book first when possible and call to confirm timing, specimen needs, and clinician availability. Serves Jamaica, Briarwood, Richmond Hill, and nearby Queens neighborhoods.
Queens
Long Island City
30-07 36th Ave, Astoria, NY 11106
This clinic can be a starting point for confidential STI evaluation, testing, and treatment planning. Book first when possible and call to confirm timing, specimen needs, and clinician availability. Serves Long Island City, Astoria, Sunnyside, and nearby Queens neighborhoods.
Long Island
Mineola
135 Mineola Blvd, Mineola, NY 11501
This clinic can be a starting point for confidential STI evaluation, testing, and treatment planning. Book first when possible and call to confirm timing, specimen needs, and clinician availability. Serves Mineola, Garden City, Westbury, and nearby Nassau County communities.
Manhattan
StuyTown
259 1st Ave, New York, NY 10003
This clinic can be a starting point for confidential STI evaluation, testing, and treatment planning. Book first when possible and call to confirm timing, specimen needs, and clinician availability. Serves StuyTown, the East Village, Gramercy, and nearby Manhattan neighborhoods.
Brooklyn
Williamsburg
308 Graham Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11211
This clinic can be a starting point for confidential STI evaluation, testing, and treatment planning. Book first when possible and call to confirm timing, specimen needs, and clinician availability. Serves Williamsburg, Greenpoint, Bushwick, and nearby Brooklyn neighborhoods.
Patient questions
Can I have an STI without symptoms?
Yes. CDC notes that STIs often cause no symptoms. Screening may be appropriate even when you feel well.
What samples may be needed?
Testing may use blood, urine, vaginal swabs, throat swabs, rectal swabs, or samples from a lesion or other affected site. The clinician selects tests based on anatomy, exposure, symptoms, and timing.
Does a full panel test for every STI?
No. There is no single test that covers every STI, and some infections are tested only in selected situations. Ask for the exact names, sites, and timing of the tests ordered.
Can treatment start before results return?
Sometimes. A clinician may use the history, examination, partner diagnosis, pregnancy status, and current guidance to decide on presumptive treatment. It is not automatic for every exposure.
When should I repeat testing?
The interval depends on the infection, treatment, exposure, pregnancy, and ongoing risk. Some diagnoses call for test of cure; many call for repeat testing to detect reinfection. Follow the written plan for your diagnosis.
Can a partner receive treatment without a visit?
New York permits expedited partner therapy for selected infections when CDC recommends it and the clinician decides it is appropriate. Other infections or symptoms require direct evaluation.
When is HIV PEP urgent?
PEP should start as soon as possible and no later than 72 hours after a possible HIV exposure. Do not wait for a routine testing appointment.
Should I book even if walk-ins are accepted?
Booking is recommended for the most reliable timing and helps confirm the best location, especially for symptoms, pregnancy, exposure-site testing, or an urgent prevention deadline.
Clinical and public-health sources
These official sources were checked on August 1, 2026. They support the general medical information and do not replace an individual evaluation.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Getting tested for STIs
Current patient guidance on who should test and when blood, urine, vaginal, throat, or rectal samples may be needed.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
STI treatment guidelines
Current evidence-based diagnostic, treatment, follow-up, and prevention guidance.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
STI screening recommendations
Screening by age, anatomy, sexual practices, exposure site, pregnancy, and risk.
New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
Sexually transmitted infections
NYC prevention, testing, treatment, emergency PEP, and public sexual-health resources.
New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
Expedited Partner Therapy
New York partner-treatment rules for selected infections when clinically appropriate.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Preventing HIV with PEP
Emergency HIV PEP purpose and the requirement to start as soon as possible and within 72 hours of exposure.
Publication remains blocked until a named clinical reviewer verifies current guidance, medication labeling, emergency instructions, and Nao Medical's exact care boundary.
Start with the right visit
This clinic can be a starting point for confidential STI evaluation, testing, and treatment planning. Book first when possible and call to confirm timing, specimen needs, and clinician availability.
Health information notice
General information only. This page is not medical advice and does not replace diagnosis, treatment, or guidance from a licensed clinician.
Content was updated August 1, 2026 from the sources cited on this page. Medical guidance, prescribing information, medication availability, and insurance rules can change. A licensed clinician must confirm current information and determine each patient's eligibility, testing, treatment, administration setting, and follow-up. Call 911 for a medical emergency. Contact Nao Medical with a question or correction.