How long would it take the ER doctor to receive results from STD tests?

It depends on the type of test you are doing. Some HIV tests can get you the results in minutes. Other diseases, like Chlamydia, Herpes, and Syphilis take days to weeks longer for the result to be available depending on the source of the specimen submitted for testing.

Generally, plan on waiting two - three weeks for negative results. I do not mean that three weeks is your golden hour for a green light, but most places will quickly notify positives. If you do not hear from the clinic, be sure they have your correct contact information.

If you hear from the clinic sooner than a few days or within a week, you may be infected. This is because responsible clinic will need and want to inform the health department that an STD case is detected so everyone can be treated.

If the clinic is texting you or an ex has told you, or left you an online messages or voice messages, go get the results or retested and deal with it so you can be treated and have peace of mind. You can save yourself future medical problems and losses by seeking early intervention.

If you're being treated at an ER for Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) you may be treated "presumptively" for gonorrhea (GC) and chlamydia (CT). These STDs are common culprits for sexually transmitted diseases that cause intrabdominal cramping or inflammation.

So your doctor may give you rapid monotherapy treatment for each condition that cures the common diseases, with a label of PID and will await the urine GC CT results. Unless you have an allergy to the drug component, most treatment will be safe and can cover other conditions or causative organisms which cause the STD symptoms

- Nurse Pattye, FNP