Physical Exams

• In physical exams, a health professional will check your genitals or anus for signs of disrupted skin, rash, warts, sores or discharge. Physical exams may be used if you are tested for chlamydia, pubic lice (crabs), scabies or genital herpes.
  
  Women may also undergo a pelvic exam in testing for pelvic inflammatory disease, bacterial vaginosis or genital warts.
  
  

Blood Tests

• Blood tests are performed to check for the presence of certain disease markers within the body. These tests typically involve either a skin prick or drawing blood directly from one of your veins. Blood tests may be used if you are being tested for syphilis, pelvic inflammatory disease, herpes, hepatitis B or cytomegalovirus. Blood tests are also essential for detection of HIV/AIDS.
  
  

Cell and Saliva Samples

• Cell or saliva samples may be used to uncover other disease markers. These types of sampling may be done if you are tested for scabies, high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV), gonorrhea, HIV/AIDS, chlamydia or the sexually-transmitted skin virus molluscum contagiosum.
  
  

Urine Tests

• A urine test may also uncover certain disease processes. You may be asked to give a urine sample if you are tested for chlamydia or gonorrhea. Urine tests are sometimes also done in HIV/AIDS testing.
  
  

Discharge and Fluid Testing

• Discharge from the urethra or anus may reveal the presence of gonorrhea or chlamydia. For women, discharge may also be gathered from the cervix or vagina. You may undergo this form of discharge testing if you are checked for pelvic inflammatory disease, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis, chlamydia or bacterial vaginosis.
  
  Fluid may also be extracted from an active sore to determine the type of STD present. You may undergo fluid testing for the presence of herpes or syphilis.
  
  

Additional Procedures

• Some less common procedures are performed to detect specific STDs. Biopsy, the taking of a small tissue sample, may be used to detect the presence of scabies. Testing for sexually transmitted intestinal parasites may require taking a stool sample as well as a procedure called proctoscopy, which involves examining the rectum with a narrow, lighted tube. Testing for pelvic inflammatory disease may require a laparoscopy, which involves examining the reproductive organs through a small incision in the navel.
  
  Consult your health professional for a full explanation of the steps involved in each particular form of STD testing.