This page is general health information, not medical advice. It cannot tell you whether you have an infection. A clinician can, and the testing options on this site are a good place to start.

Waiting for std test results is stressful for many people, and the answers to the basic questions are often hard to find. This page covers how long results take, how New York City options deliver them, and how to read the words on a report. It also covers what usually happens after a result comes back.

A clinician or lab report is the only place a result can be interpreted. These answers explain how testing works in general.

Turnaround times

How long do std test results take?

It depends on the test and where it is run. Rapid tests can return in minutes to the same day, while lab tests commonly take several days. The NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene says the main Chelsea Sexual Health Clinic does not offer rapid results and that people should expect results in seven days.

Are there any rapid results at New York City clinics?

Yes, for some tests. According to NYC Health, the Chelsea Express Clinic has a Quickie Lab that gives rapid chlamydia and gonorrhea results, and the Fort Greene Express Clinic lists the same Quickie Lab. Mount Sinai Adolescent Health Center says it offers same-day rapid HIV testing for people ages 10 to 26.

Why do some results take longer than others?

Many tests are sent to a lab, where samples are batched and processed. Some infections need more than one test, and a follow-up test can add time. If the clinic page does not list a turnaround for a specific test, ask the clinic when you are there.

Who do I call if my results are late?

Start with the clinic or provider that took the sample. For NYC Health sexual health clinics, NYC Health lists a Sexual Health Clinic Hotline at 347-396-7959, open Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The clinic pages do not list a separate number for each location.

Timing your test

How soon can you test for std after an exposure?

It varies by infection, because tests can miss an infection that is very new. This stretch is called the window period. Gettested.cdc.gov and a clinician can explain the timing for the infection you are asking about.

What is the CDC window period for HIV?

The CDC says the window period depends on the type of test. It lists nucleic acid tests as able to detect HIV about 10 to 33 days after exposure. It lists antigen/antibody lab tests on blood from a vein at about 18 to 45 days, and fingerstick tests at about 18 to 90 days.

Can a test be negative even if exposure happened recently?

Yes. A test taken inside the window period can come back negative before it is able to detect an infection. A clinician may suggest testing again later, depending on the infection and the test used. That repeat test is routine and does not mean anything went wrong.

What if I have symptoms right now?

Tell the clinician when you book or walk in. Symptoms can have many causes, and only an exam and testing can sort them out. Clinics can also treat many infections on the spot or after results.

Reading the words on a report

What does a negative result mean?

A negative result means the test did not find the infection it was looking for. The window period matters here, because a very recent exposure can be missed. A clinician can say whether a repeat test makes sense for you.

What does a positive result mean?

A positive result means the test found signs of an infection. A clinician decides what it means for the person and what comes next. Many people are surprised by how routine the next steps are.

What does reactive mean?

Reactive means the test picked up a signal that needs follow-up. The CDC says a reactive initial HIV test needs a follow-up test before a diagnosis is made. A reactive result is a reason for a second test, and a clinician can explain the sequence.

What do inconclusive or invalid mean?

These words mean the test could not give a clear answer. The sample may need to be collected again, or a different test may be used. It is a lab outcome and does not say anything about you personally.

Can I get results for one infection but not another?

Yes. Panels often include several tests, and each can finish at a different time. A rapid chlamydia and gonorrhea result, for example, does not cover tests that go to an outside lab. Ask which tests are still pending.

How results are delivered

How do New York City clinics share results?

Delivery depends on the clinic. The NYC Health clinic pages do not describe every delivery method, so ask the staff how you will be contacted before you leave. Give them a phone number you can answer.

Can I get a free at-home HIV test in New York City?

NYC Health says residents can get free HIV self-test kits through Community Home Test Giveaway partner agencies listed on the NYC Health Map. You can also call 311 or text TESTNYC to 55676. NYC Health pages do not list a free at-home kit program for other STIs.

Are results kept private from my family?

New York Public Health Law section 2305 allows a licensed physician to diagnose and treat a person under 21 who has or may have been exposed to an STD without parental consent. NYC Health says its Sexual Health Clinics serve anyone 12 or older without parental consent, regardless of immigration status. Check with the clinic about how results are shared on your own account or insurance.

Does the health department hear about my result?

NYC Health says the NYC Health Code requires chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis to be reported to the Health Department within 24 hours. Under New York Public Health Law section 2130, providers and laboratories also report HIV to the state. Reporting is how public health tracks and responds to infections.

What happens next

Can bacterial infections be treated?

Yes. The CDC STI Treatment Guidelines (2021) describe chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis as curable with treatment from a clinician. Trichomoniasis is curable as well. Only a clinician can prescribe the treatment.

What about HIV, herpes and HPV?

These are not curable, but they are treatable or manageable. A clinician can explain the options, and many clinics also offer PrEP, PEP and doxy-PEP. NYC Health lists a 24/7 PEP Hotline at 844-373-7692.

Should my partners be told?

Partners often need testing or treatment too. NYC Health says the infections for which CDC recommends expedited partner therapy are chlamydia, gonorrhea and trichomoniasis. That option is governed by New York Public Health Law section 2312, and a clinician can explain how it works for you.

Is testing different during pregnancy?

Yes. The NYS Department of Health says providers must screen for syphilis at least three times: at the first prenatal visit, in the third trimester at 28 to 32 weeks, and at delivery. Other tests during pregnancy are a conversation to have with your prenatal clinician.

Cost and where to go

How much does a test cost in New York City?

NYC Health says its Sexual Health Clinics are low to no cost, and that adults 19 and older are asked for insurance or a sliding-scale fee. Its page says no proof of income is required and no one is turned away for inability to pay. Mount Sinai Adolescent Health Center describes its services as completely free for ages 10 to 26, and Callen-Lorde offers a sliding fee for people without insurance.

Where can I find the closest option?

Our guide to STD testing options across New York City lists clinics by borough, with hours and what each one offers. You can also use gettested.cdc.gov to look up testing sites. Most NYC Health clinics are walk-in and may close early once capacity is reached, so go early in the day.

STD Test Results: How Long They Take and What They Mean