It’s summertime, and that means 3 blissful months of no school, and maybe a fun fling with that cute new person who you met at your summer job. Start your break off right by getting an STD test!
Getting into a routine of having an STD test is really important. Teens and young adults should be getting tested at least once a year if sexually active - that means if you’re doing anything sexual with other people). If you have a partner, you aren’t excluded from the once a year rule.
Find a time of the year that works best for you, like the beginning of the summer, and stick with it for all of your future STD tests. In addition to your annual routine STD test, you should also get an STD test whenever you have sex with a new person, and if you ever have unprotected sex.
It’s super easy and free! Find a clinic near you!
Remember that just because you’re getting an STD test doesn’t mean that you are suddenly safe from STDs. It is just a way of checking to make sure that you’re healthy, but you should still be safe and protect yourself with condoms if you’re having vaginal, anal or oral sex.
It’s also important to talk to your partner or partners to make sure that they get tested as well.