STI Testing On Vacation: What To Know

Traveling is an exciting adventure full of new experiences, but it’s important to prioritize your sexual health while you’re on the go. A recent study published by BMC Public Health found that travelers tend to drink more alcohol and use condoms less frequently. Many engage in unprotected sex with new partners, especially when intoxicated. [1] All these can increase the likelihood of sexually transmitted infections (STIs, also called STDs). So, as you explore new destinations, savor local cuisine, and meet new people, it’s essential to stay mindful of your sexual health.

In this article, you’ll be guided on maintaining sexual health while traveling, including how to test for STDs, recognize symptoms, and access treatment options.

Let’s dive in.

How To Test for STIs Before, During, and After Travel

To help fully protect yourself, it’s important to understand the importance of STI testing before, during, and after your travels. This proactive approach ensures you can enjoy your trip with peace of mind, knowing you’re taking the proper precautions.

Before Traveling

Schedule an appointment with your healthcare provider at least a week before your departure to discuss sexual health and potential travel risks. This ensures that you know your current health status and can address any existing infections. Your provider may recommend specific STI tests based on your destination, planned activities, and health history. They may also offer advice on preventive vaccinations and safe sex practices tailored to your trip.

Another proactive step is to order the Everlywell STD Test ahead of your trip. This kit allows you to test for STIs on your own and receive results as long as you have an internet connection. The kit screens for six common infections: chlamydia, gonorrhea, hepatitis C (HCV), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), syphilis, and trichomoniasis.

The process is straightforward: collect your sample, send it to the lab following the kit’s instructions, and receive your physician-reviewed results online within a few days.

During Your Trip

During your trip, you might find the need to carry out an STI test because you suspect you may have been exposed, or you might want to get treatment because you're experiencing symptoms.

There are a few things to keep in mind when deciding when to test for STIs. The first is the window period, which is the timeframe that it takes following exposure to a pathogen for a lab test to be able to accurately measure whether or not you have contracted an infection. Some STIs may be detectable in days, while others may not show up on lab tests for up to 3 months after someone has been exposed. [2]

This brings up the second key point to keep in mind when deciding to test: symptoms. Though many common STIs such as chlamydia and gonorrhea present with no symptoms, anyone who thinks they have been exposed to an STI and has symptoms should seek treatment with a healthcare provider right away. If you’re still traveling when you notice symptoms, you can start by doing a Google search for “STD testing near me” to locate nearby facilities. In some places, pharmacies offer STI tests without needing a healthcare provider visit, allowing for prompt testing. There are also many kinds of telehealth available that can address STI symptoms. For example, the Everlywell sexual health page has a symptoms quiz to help direct you to get care online in as little as two hours for some conditions.

After Returning

If you suspect you have been exposed during your travels, you may want to get tested after your return, especially if you had new sexual partners during your trip. It’s important to still keep in mind the window periods for STIs and any symptoms you may have–the best course of action is to discuss your concerns with a healthcare provider, who can direct you to the next best steps for your specific situation, which may include follow-up testing now or at a later date (or both!), as well as treatment for any current symptoms you may have. Testing too early outside the window period can lead to false negative results, which may lead untreated infections to progress to more serious conditions. [2]

The CDC also recommends certain routine screenings for people who routinely have new partners (as well as other specific groups of people at higher risk of certain STIs), which can help keep you and potential partners safe over the long term. [3] Routine screening can be done in person, or at home with tests such as the Everlywell STD Test.

What To Know About STI Testing While Traveling

Since you may be at risk of contracting an STI while traveling, it’s important to be prepared and informed. Here are some key things to know: You can research the availability of healthcare facilities in your travel destination that offer STI testing before you travel. Familiarizing yourself with their locations, hours of operation, and the types of tests they provide can help you stay prepared.

If you are traveling to a country where you don’t speak the local language, consider learning key phrases related to medical care and STI testing. You can also bring a translation app or phrasebook to help communicate your needs.

It may be useful to check whether your health insurance plan covers medical expenses incurred abroad, including STI testing. If not, you may want to consider purchasing travel insurance that includes coverage for medical care, especially if you are traveling for a long period of time.

You can carry condoms and other barrier methods to reduce the risk of STI transmission. Also, getting vaccinated against STIs like HPV and hepatitis B before traveling can help protect you even further.

STI Symptoms

According to a recent NHS UK publication, the symptoms of STIs can include [2]:

• An unusual discharge from your vagina, penis, or anus
• Pain when urinating
• Lumps or skin growths around your genitals or anus
• A rash
• Unusual vaginal bleeding
• Itchy genitals or anus
• Blisters, sores, or warts around your genitals or anus
• Warts in your mouth or throat, though this is very rare

However, a publication by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicates that many STIs can have no symptoms or only mild symptoms. This means there’s a risk of having an infection without knowing it. Therefore, it’s always advisable to regularly test for STIs as long as you’re sexually active [3].

Getting Rx for STIs While Traveling

If you suspect that you have an infection but are having difficulty getting care because you’re traveling, don’t worry. Here are some things you can try:

• Visit a local healthcare facility at your travel destination. Many places offer walk-in services and can provide prescriptions after a brief consultation.
• If you have travel insurance, check if it covers medical consultations and prescriptions abroad.
• In some cases, your home country’s embassy can assist you in finding medical services while abroad.
• Use health apps that can connect you with local healthcare providers and pharmacies.

Online STI Prescription/Treatment

While there are several methods for obtaining STI treatment, Everlywell offers a particularly convenient and efficient option for those located within the United States. Otherwise, you need to type “STI testing near me” to get tested or treated.

Everlywell is an at-home lab test and telehealth provider that offers various STI testing and treatment services, including those tailored for travelers who need to manage their STI care while on the go.

If you have already completed an STI test from Everlywell, you will receive guidance on how to reach out to a member of their independent clinician network for further consultation after you receive your results.

If you don’t have an at-home lab test, you can also connect digitally with a healthcare provider who will review your symptoms and provide a prescription, where applicable, within two hours or less.

Here are the steps to take:

• Set up your profile and complete an insurance coverage check if you plan to use insurance.
• Schedule a video consultation with a clinician, which will be conducted discreetly and privately within 2 hours or less.
• Receive treatment: if needed, your clinician can prescribe you medication, and your prescription will be sent to your local pharmacy.
• You can return to Everlywell for select follow-up consults or online prescription refills as necessary.

1. Gareau E, Phillips KP. Sexual behaviors at home and abroad: an online survey of Canadian young adult travelers. BMC Public Health. 2022;22(1):967. Medical Citation URL
2. Sexually transmitted infections (STIs). NHS UK. Last reviewed May 14, 2024. Accessed August 5, 2024. Medical Citation URL.
3. About sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs). Published March 25, 2024. Accessed August 5, 2024. Medical Citation URL.