What's Included in a Full STD Panel? A Complete Guide

Quick answer: A full STD panel usually screens for the 10 most common sexually transmitted infections in one visit: chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, HIV (types 1 and 2), herpes (HSV-2), and hepatitis A, B, and C. Most panels use a urine sample plus a small blood draw. If you've had a new or untested partner, a full panel is the most complete way to know your status. Get a full STD panel

What Is a Full STD Panel?

A full STD panel is a group of tests that screens for several sexually transmitted infections at once, instead of checking one at a time. Most comprehensive panels are marketed as a "10-panel" because they cover the ten infections behind the large majority of STDs diagnosed in the US.

In my practice, the most common source of confusion is the assumption that "getting tested" means one test. It doesn't. A urine-only test for chlamydia and gonorrhea will completely miss syphilis, HIV, and hepatitis — infections diagnosed from blood. A full panel exists to close that gap.

It matters because most STIs cause no symptoms at all. According to the CDC, many chlamydia and gonorrhea infections are silent, and HIV or hepatitis C can go undetected for years while still causing damage and spreading to partners. Screening is the only reliable way to catch them early.

What Infections Does a Full STD Panel Test For?

A standard comprehensive panel screens for the infections below. Sample types and window periods (how long after exposure a test becomes reliable) vary by infection:

Labs often reach the "10" in "10-panel" by counting HIV-1 and HIV-2 separately and listing each hepatitis type on its own. The exact line-up differs slightly between providers, so it's always worth checking what a specific panel includes — our 8-panel vs. 10-panel guide breaks down the differences.

One thing I always tell patients: a panel is only as good as the samples it collects. If you've had oral or anal sex, a urine sample alone won't detect throat or rectal chlamydia and gonorrhea — those sites need their own swabs. Mention any oral or anal exposure so the right specimens are taken.

What's the Difference Between a Basic and a Comprehensive Panel?

Not everyone needs every marker. Panels generally fall into two tiers:

• Basic (4-marker) panel — chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, and HIV, the four the CDC treats as the highest priority for routine screening. A reasonable baseline for lower-risk screening with no symptoms.

• Comprehensive (10-marker) panel — everything in the basic panel plus herpes and hepatitis A, B, and C. The better choice after a higher-risk exposure, at the start of a new relationship, or when you want a complete picture.

The number of infections matters less than whether the panel covers what you're realistically at risk for. If you're weighing it up, our guide on a panel vs. individual tests can help you decide.

Which STD Panel Do You Actually Need?

Screening needs depend on your age, sex, and risk. Based on current CDC and USPSTF guidance:

• Everyone aged 13–64 should be tested for HIV at least once as part of routine care.

• Sexually active women under 25 should be screened for chlamydia and gonorrhea every year — and women 25+ with risk factors should too.

• Men who have sex with men should test at least annually for syphilis, chlamydia, gonorrhea, and HIV — every 3–6 months with ongoing risk.

• During pregnancy, screening for HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B is universal, with chlamydia, gonorrhea, and hepatitis C added by risk.

• Anyone with a new partner, multiple partners, or a partner who tested positive benefits from a full panel, symptoms or not.

Women often need a slightly different work-up than men — trichomoniasis and cervical (HPV) screening aren't part of the standard male panel, so a complete female work-up looks beyond the core 10. See our guide to a full STD panel for women.

How Is Each Infection Tested?

A full panel typically combines two simple sample types:

• A urine sample for chlamydia and gonorrhea (a swab is used instead for throat, rectal, or vaginal testing).

• A small blood draw for syphilis, HIV, herpes, and hepatitis.

Modern chlamydia and gonorrhea testing uses a NAAT, the most sensitive method available. Syphilis uses a two-step blood test, HIV a combined antigen/antibody test, and hepatitis and herpes are detected through blood serology.

How Accurate Is a Panel — and When Should You Test?

Timing is the most common reason a panel misses an infection. Every test has a window period — the time your body needs after exposure before the infection is detectable. Test too early and you can get a false-negative even though you're infected.

As a general guide: chlamydia and gonorrhea are usually detectable within 1–2 weeks, syphilis within 3–6 weeks, HIV within 18–45 days for a 4th-generation test (90 days to be conclusive), and herpes antibodies within 12–16 weeks. If you test inside the window, plan to retest at the right interval.

When to Seek Urgent Care

A routine panel isn't an emergency, but some situations shouldn't wait:

• A possible HIV exposure within the last 72 hours — PEP can prevent infection but must start quickly.

• Painful genital sores or ulcers, especially with fever.

• Pelvic or lower-abdominal pain with fever or abnormal bleeding — a sign of possible pelvic inflammatory disease.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a full STD panel cost?
Prices vary by provider and number of markers; direct-access labs charge a flat self-pay fee, while public clinics may be free or sliding-scale. See our STD panel cost guide.

Can one panel test for everything?
A comprehensive panel covers the most common infections, but no single panel tests for every STI. HPV is screened differently, and some infections like Mycoplasma genitalium aren't in every standard panel.

Do I need a blood test and a urine test?
Usually yes. Chlamydia and gonorrhea are detected in urine or a swab, while syphilis, HIV, herpes, and hepatitis need blood — which is why a truly full panel involves both.

How often should I get a full panel?
At least once a year if you're sexually active, and every 3–6 months with new or multiple partners.

The Bottom Line

A full STD panel is the most efficient way to check for the infections that matter most — chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, HIV, herpes, and hepatitis — in a single, confidential visit. The right panel depends on your risk and timing, not on ordering every test that exists. If you've had a new or untested partner, or it's simply been a while, you can get a full STD panel and get a clear answer.

Last reviewed: September 2026

Medical review: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult a healthcare provider about testing that's appropriate for your situation. Screening guidance is based on current CDC STI testing recommendations and the CDC 2021 STI Treatment Guidelines.