Regular testing is an important aspect of controlling your risk for HIV and STDs. The Center for Disease Control and Control (CDC) advises sexually active individuals to take STD test on a regular basis (at least two times a year) to enable early diagnosis of infection. This drastically decreases the likelihood of additional transmission and allows therapy to begin quickly without any critical health complications.
 
Taking a STD test to check your STD status is vital. Many STDs are curable with the right medicines. Identifying your status also allows you to take precautions to keep your partner safe while the virus is treated. Antibiotics taken without adequate medical counsel can potentially cause microorganisms to become resistant to the drugs, necessitating more potent and more toxic medications to treat.