Gay Cruising Health: Getting Tested in NYC

Getting tested for HIV or any sexually transmitted disease (STD) is by the far the scariest thing in a gay man’s life only coming in second to coming out publicly as being gay. The uncertainty and unknown procedure that comes into play after either witnessing symptoms or receiving an anonymous phone call that one of your partners has tested positive for an STD most likely forces guys to get tested.

I decided to create a step-by-step/walk-thru of getting tested and what to expect. For this post, I will the NYC STD clinic system other doctors/clinics will have a different system; however all will follow the same methods/procedures. NYC Sexual Health Clinics or contact 311 for more info.

What To Expect at a STD Clinic

STEP 1:

Go to the NYC.GOV site for clinics in your area, all four boroughs have clinics that you can visit.

STEP 2:

Pick up the STD/HIV anonymous questionnaire and place in the time stamp located at the table so that the staff will be notified of when you arrived so that you can be seen in order of your arrival. First come, first serve basis

STEP 3:

You will meet with a clinic assistant to discuss the nature of your visit, everything discussed in the room is strictly confidential. They will provide you with information as to what you should get tested for, what services and information is provided to New Yorkers and visitors. You will need some form of indication, you do NOT have to be a US citizen in order to attend these clinics. If you believe you’ve been recently exposed to someone who is HIV+, then you have get setup for PEP – Post Exposure Pill while PrEP is the Pre-Exposure pill i.e. Truvada.

STEP 4:

You will meet with someone discuss your health insurance or lack their of and they will provide you with a yellow card that you will have an unique ID number that you will use to check on the status of your test results. I recommend taking a pic of the card in case you misplace it.

STEP 5:

For the scary part, you will meet with a nurse who will give you a cup to collect your urine to test for the most common STDs – Chlamydia, Gonorrhea and Syphilis. A phlebotomist will draw your blood for HIV, Hepatitis A and B. There’s TWO TESTING METHODS that the clinics use for HIV results
First, is the rapid test – the one you can purchase at any drugstore/pharmacy. This test will tell you if you have been exposed to the HIV virus 8 weeks out. It’s the most popular testing used.
Second, is the clinical blood (RNC) draw test – this is the most thorough test of them all and it’s the one used by adult entertainment (porn companies) for porn stars. This particular one will inform you if you have been exposed in the last 3 weeks or less.

STEP 6:

The doctor will see you and discuss all of your medical rights, check to see when you have visited any clinics in the New York area as well as answer any questions that you may have about your visit. If you are curious about Truvada, an once daily pill made by Gilead to prevent the spread of HIV, they will provide information and resources to get signed up for a discount price or for free depending on your financial needs.

STEP 7:

The doctor will inspect your sexual organ as well as swab the insides of your rectum, penis and mouth to be tested for any sexually transmitted diseases. If you have any visible symptoms, they will provide either a shot and/or pill immediately if you believe to have carried any STD at the time of the visit.

ONCE THAT IS COMPLETED, YOU ARE FREE TO GO. YOU CAN PICK UP CONDOMS OF ALL SIZES AND LUBE ON YOUR WAY OUT.

RETURNING VISITS

If you test positive for any diseases, you will be notified to come back to the clinic to be treated.

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STEP 8:

Repeat all the STEPS 1-4, during this time you will inform them on the questionnaire the nature of your visit to be treated, you will not to be retested.

STEP 9:

You will meet with the doctor and/or nurse to be treated for the symptoms where they will inform you to not engage in any sexual activity for at least one week thus to allow the symptoms to be eradicated. In case of Syphilis, you will receive a shot with a huge needle and will require two visits. While Chlamydia and Gonorrhea, will only require one visit.

TESTING FACILITIES IN THE 4 BOROUGHS

Much Love and Cum
DC