The University of Nevada, Reno is committed to a comprehensive, fair and equitable compensation program in order to fulfill its mission as a land-grant and Tier 1 research university.
This program will focus on attracting, retaining, motivating, and rewarding a diverse, qualified, creative, and dedicated workforce. It will reflect the values, characteristics and mission of the University of Nevada, Reno which, as a state-assisted institution, bears the responsibility of administering resources devoted to faculty compensation in an efficient and effective way. Classified staff compensation is governed by the Nevada Legislature and Governor's office.
The University recognizes the intrinsic value of benefits afforded to its employees in addition to direct salary compensation. These benefits include health and wellness benefits, retirement programs, quality of work-life as evidenced by workplace conditions, staff, competitive salary and benefits, job security, safety and opportunities for development, and a challenging, empowering, and professional environment conducive to a high level of achievement in the context of an internationally recognized university setting. Within the boundaries of financial feasibility, faculty compensation shall be externally competitive and internally equitable and shall be based upon professional preparation and performance as recognized in the context of departmental requirements and expectations.
All employees have an annual base salary or hourly pay rate. Base salary can be increased through cost-of-living adjustments and merit increases. Additionally, faculty are eligible for academic promotions, administrative in-grade promotions or promotions to a new grade, equity adjustments, and/or compression/salary assessment study adjustments that impact base salary.
Overload, supplemental salary adjustments, stipends and temporary adjustments are available under specified conditions and do not impact base salary. Supplemental pay — overload, supplemental salary adjustments and stipends — may not exceed 50% of base salary. An increase or decrease in base salary may also occur through a transfer, reorganization or demotion.
Medscape's 2014 Physician Compensation Report provides the most latest salary data from over 24,000 physicians across 25 specialties. See how much doctors are earning, learn about salary trends and find out how physicians are adapting to the new healthcare environment.
There are several facets of a workers comp policy, including:
Medical expenses
A workers compensation insurance policy offers coverage for injured or ill employees’ medical treatment when the cause relates to their job. This can include payment for doctor’s visits, emergency room visits, surgery, medication and ongoing care.
Medical expenses related to Covid might be covered, depending on your state and occupation. The National Council on Compensation Insurance tracks legislation related to workers comp coverage of Covid.
Lost wages
When an employee is injured or becomes ill because of their job, it often leads to time off for healing. During this time, your workers compensation insurance typically pays partial wages. This helps ensure the affected parties still have income during their recovery period.
Disability benefits
If your employee sustains a job-related injury or illness that results in a disability, full or partial disability benefits can help your employee pay their medical bills and supplement some of their lost wages.
Disability benefit classifications
Continuing care
If an employee has a work-related injury or illness that requires extended care, workers compensation insurance can help pay for ongoing care like physical therapy.
Death benefits
If the worst happens and your employee dies from a work-related injury or illness, your workers compensation insurance will usually cover funeral and burial expenses as well as survivor benefits for their beneficiaries
SANTA FE, N.M. — The U.S. Senate has endorsed a major expansion of a compensation program for people sickened by exposure to radiation during nuclear weapons testing and the mining of uranium during the Cold War, with a vote Thursday on a massive defense spending bill.
Advancing on a 86-11 Senate vote, the provisions would extend health care coverage and compensation to so-called downwinders exposed to radiation during weapons testing to several new regions stretching from Guam to the New Mexico site where the world’s first atomic bomb was tested in 1945.
The Senate-backed plan also would extend compensation to more former uranium industry workers. The proposed changes to the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act are not yet included in a House-approved defense bill, amid negotiations toward final legislation.
The hit summer film “Oppenheimer” about the top-secret Manhattan Project and the dawn of the nuclear age during World War II has brought new attention to a decades-long efforts to extend compensation for families who were exposed to fallout and still grapple with related illness.
“We’re elated with the vote today. We’re extremely hopeful,” said Mary Martinez White, who recounted that her parents and several siblings were ravaged by cancer after the family’s exposure to nuclear fallout at a farm in Carrizozo, New Mexico, about 35 miles (55 kilometers) for the Trinity Site test.
She blames her family’s suffering on decisions at the outset of the Cold War - and applauded efforts to make amends through federal compensation by lawmakers, including Democratic Sen. Ben Ray Luján of New Mexico and Republican Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri.
“I have faith that people who are alive today will right those choices, and quickly, especially when so much is being asked of New Mexico in terms of storage” of radioactive waste and nuclear weapons production, she said.
Advocates also have been trying for years to bring awareness to the lingering effects of radiation exposure on the Navajo Nation, where millions of tons of uranium ore were extracted over decades to support U.S. nuclear activities.
“The Navajo Nation has borne the brunt of America’s nuclear program, the cost of which can be measured in human lives, environmental devastation, and communities that are still suffering,” President Buu Nygren of the Navajo Nation said Thursday in a statement. “We will not stand by and allow this legacy to be forgotten or dismissed.”
The Senate bill would expand eligibility to more former uranium mining, processing and transportation workers who participated after 1971, the current cutoff date for eligibility.
Since the compensation program began in 1992, more than 54,000 claims have been filed and about $2.6 billion has been awarded for approved claims in Nevada, Utah and Arizona. Coverage would be expanded to New Mexico, Colorado, Idaho, Missouri, Montana and previously excluded areas of Nevada, Utah and Arizona.
Earlier this month, Hawley promised to help people with cancer and other diseases connected to nuclear contamination in the St. Louis, Missouri, region. He cited reports by The Associated Press, The Missouri Independent and the nonprofit newsroom MuckRock that detailed nonchalance and indifference to the risks nuclear waste posed dating back to the 1950s.
St. Louis was part of the national campaign to build a nuclear bomb, with uranium processing that produced harmful waste.
Total compensation is an incredibly effective tool to utilize when attracting top talent and when informing team members about the value they receive in the form of benefits from your company. Understanding what total compensation is and how it works is essential to winning and retaining top talent. Additionally, it helps companies more completely assess the total cost of a hire so they can budget accordingly.
What is total compensation?
Total compensation is the collective compensation you provide to your employees in return for their services. It includes the employee’s base salary (how much you pay the employee as either the hourly rate or their annual salary), the total dollar amount of the fringe benefits you offer (health insurance, paid time off, retirement plan, profit sharing, gym membership, etc.), bonuses and/or commissions.
Employers can show employees (or potential employees) the total value of the compensation and benefits they receive by supplying them with a total compensation document.
Be careful — this salary mistake could cost your business $250,000.
What are the differences between salary and total compensation?
Salary is the fixed sum employees are paid each pay period.
Total compensation encompasses the base salary the employee receives plus other monetized benefits, such as paid time off and health insurance. In other words, salary is one element of an employee’s total compensation.
One reason why a company may review one’s total compensation, as opposed to salary alone, is that any useful budget needs to reflect the cumulative costs of each employee.
What is included in total compensation?
The most common benefits employers include within their total compensation package, and statement, include but are not limited to:
- Annual salary or hourly rate of pay
- Medical and dental benefits coverage (including employer-paid portions)
- Healthcare flexible spending accounts or health savings accounts
- Paid leave (vacation/sick/PTO, holiday, personal, bereavement, military pay, jury duty, etc.)
- Short-term and/or long-term disability insurance
- Life insurance
- An employee assistance program
- Retirement benefits
- Educational assistance programs
- Relocation expenses
- Learning and development offerings
- Career advancement opportunities
Research from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that as of 2020, benefits (or non-salary-related compensation), on average, comprise 30% of an employee’s total compensation.
Why is total compensation important?
Total compensation, and having an effective compensation management program, is important to winning and retaining talent within your industry. Employees are looking for, and expect to find, compensation packages that are comprehensive and meaningful to them.
If your company doesn’t offer a good benefits package, candidates may spurn your job offer for one from a company that is extending the benefits they want. And for your existing employees, they may leave for another job offering better benefits than what you offer.
Total compensation is discussed earlier in the recruiting process than it used to be. Applicants prefer to hear about compensation and benefits during the interview process now. One of the many reasons for this is the uniqueness of applicants’ needs. For example, student loan assistance, work flexibility, and career advancement are sought-after benefits, and if you’re willing to offer these perks to new hires, discussing these perks, along with the job duties, can ensure that you capture – and retain – candidates’ interest and enthusiasm throughout the recruiting and onboarding process.
What is total compensation vs. total rewards?
Total rewards address the policies, programs, and practices that provide employees with a valued and desired reward infrastructure. In addition to compensation, your workplace culture, quality of life, and work-life flexibility are all part of a total rewards program that’s essential to attracting and retaining top talent.
When it comes down to it, companies choose whether they want to reference “total compensation” or “total rewards” within their nomenclature. Although they do not carry the same meaning, the amount of overlap and similarities between the two commonly result in companies using one term or the other, but rarely both.
Marketing your total compensation
Total compensation plans are an opportunity to promote your company to candidates and current employees through tangible data that shows the value they get when working for your organization.
For your existing employees, creating and implementing a total compensation (even better, your total rewards) program helps keep team members engaged, lowers turnover and increases a company’s return on investment.
Total compensation statements are the best tool for achieving this objective. A total compensation statement should be one or two pages long, and it should show what benefits are being offered to candidates or are enjoyed by employees.
Although the appearance can vary, the content is essentially the same. The goal is to list the totality of your compensation program. If you can place a monetization quality on a benefit or perk, include it in your statement.
How to determine total compensation
There are many formulas for determining total compensation. The truth is, many strategies can work, as long as the basic aspects are included. One way organizations achieve this objective is with total compensation calculators.
In addition to the use of calculators, assess the value of each benefit you provide to your workers. Most of the common benefits have monetized values listed next to them. What portion do you pay for medical and/or dental insurance? How many paid time-off (PTO) days do employees get? How much do you match in your retirement program?
How some candidates assess total compensation
Candidates are savvy when assessing job offers. Some add the cumulative value of all the benefits presented within a total compensation plan and divide that by the number of hours typically worked within a year to get the “total compensation hourly rate.” That is how some candidates compare apples with apples (if there are multiple job offers).
Here is an example:
| Benefit Name | Job Offer No. 1 | Job Offer No. 1 |
| Salary | $75,000 | $75,000 |
| Paid Time Off | $4,000 | $5,000 |
| Retirement Matching | 50% matching first 5% of contribution = $1,850 | No match |
| Free Gym Membership | $50 per month ($600 annually) | N/A |
| Commute Cost Savings | N/A | $100 per month ($1,200 annually) |
| Total | $81,450.00 | $81,200.00 |
| Hourly Rate Equivalent | $39.16 (based on 2080 hours annually) | $39.04 (based on 2080 hours annually) |
Some fringe benefits are difficult to place a numeric value on, such as the ability to work from home or enjoying a highly flexible schedule, etc. Putting a value on those benefits is difficult, as for some, it is worth more than healthcare insurance, while for others, they would prefer to work a predictable schedule that never fluctuates.
Adding a summary or narrative section to your total compensation (or total rewards) statement can help paint this picture for candidates and employees alike. Customizing total compensation documents when soliciting top talent or hard-to-find subject matter experts (SMEs) is also recommended. If you can tailor your narrative to attract a specific candidate, it may prove to be more persuasive.
PCMag’s core mission has been to help you make better buying decisions and get more from technology by delivering independent reviews of the latest products and services. We've been testing, rating, and recommending technology products based on lab testing for more than 40 years. The rigorous, repeatable testing of more than 1,500 products each year is what gives us the best handle on the full range of the market, and has always set us apart from our competitors.
Shortly after PC Magazine was born in 1982, PC Labs, a mammoth testing lab in New York City, was built. It has taken a variety of forms over the decades, including a 1990s stint associated with Ziff Davis Benchmark Operations (ZDBOp), a division of PCMag’s then-privately held mother company Ziff Davis. In its time, ZDBOp was a key player in the computing industry, devoted to advances in the art of benchmarking and creating tools for the industry to use in assessing PC performance. This was at a time when the early waves of PC clones had come roaring through the market, and the templates for personal computing as we know it today were being cut.
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PC Labs has housed, at times, more than 30 technology testers sitting together in that giant temperature-controlled room complete with anti-static flooring, dozens of benches with test beds, running benchmarks on desktops, laptops, PC peripherals and components, so that writers and editors could craft reviews to print in a twice-monthly magazine.
As the technology landscape has evolved, so has our testing. Now, in addition to all forms of PC hardware and software, we cover the full range of consumer technology including categories like smart home devices, digital health and fitness gear, and electric vehicles, all of which require out-of-lab testing. The core of PC Labs still remains in our New York offices, but our testing expertise is far more diffuse, spread across a team of more than 50 analysts, editors, reporters, and contributors across the United States and overseas.
Combined, PC Labs’ on-staff analysts and key contributors can claim, conservatively, more than 600 years of combined experience in their fields. (Add them all together, and you're contemporary with the Middle Ages, the Byzantine empire, and the Incas.) How much genuine testing is that? To take just a simple example: We rate and review about 200 laptops and desktops each year, and each gets a dozen or more benchmark tests, that translates to around 2,500 annual tests run on PCs alone. Data for analysis and product comparisons is not in short supply.
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Benchmarks & Beyond: Our Process
When evaluating products, repeatable, defensible benchmark and experiential testing is at the core of what we do. Wherever feasible, these processes are based on step-by-step scripts, exhaustively vetted for meaningful, consistent results. Sometimes, such as in cases of display testing, we use advanced, industry-standard measuring equipment to supplement our findings. In addition, some testing categories are anchored by testbed computers that we use over and over for consistency of results. (They are refreshed, and key products are retested on the new testbeds, when industry changes demand it.)
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Likewise, our scripts are often revised to match current trends in consumer/business PCs and related gear, and follow changes in core technology. When a script changes, products are only directly compared with other products tested on the same script, under the same conditions, for comparability of results.
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Some of our benchmarking tools are industry standards. For PC testing, for example, the core of our benchmark suite is based on highly regarded tools from Underwriters’ Lab (UL, formerly Futuremark), supplemented heavily by repeatable, usage-representative tests from a host of other sources. In some cases, these tests are internally derived and designed.
Testing in the Real World
Benchmarks and performance numbers only take you so far in finding the right technology. It's important to evaluate factors like value, features, and what it's actually like to use that camera phone in a dim restaurant, wire that video doorbell, or configure that VPN. Luckily, our reviewers rate more products than anyone else, so they're uniquely positioned to give you the full scoop, along with a close look at the competition so you can easily compare all the products you're considering.
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A Note About Ethics
We believe it's essential for our audience to understand how our company earns money. The following statement is at the top of every story on our site:
PCMag reviews products independently, but we may earn affiliate commissions from buying links on this page.
The editorial team, however, does not handle affiliate commissions in any way. Our reviewers do not know how a particular story is monetized and do not receive any of the commission earned. Reviewers are paid for their work and do not earn bonuses. Sponsored articles exist on this website, but are disclosed as such.
Companies, even those with affiliate relationships with PCMag, or are owned by our parent company do not have any input into review scores or outcomes, and our writers have a collective bargaining agreement that disallows pay-for-play writing. For more, read our editorial mission statement.
The variety of lab and real world testing processes requires an article for each major category we cover, just to scratch the surface of what we do, day in and day out. Scan below for more detailed dives by category into how we test everything we review.
PCs & Core Components
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PC Peripherals & Displays
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Mobile Phones & Cameras
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How We Test Bluetooth Headsets
How We Test Cellular Modems and Hotspots
How We Test Digital Cameras and Lenses
Smart Home & Fitness Gear
(Photo: Angela Moscaritolo)
How We Test Smart Home Devices
How We Test Smart Fitness Equipment
A/V Gear
(Photo: Molly Flores)
How Noise-Cancelling Headphones Work (and How We Test Them)
Software & Services
(Photo: Zlata Ivleva)
How We Test Antivirus and Security Software
How We Collect Malware for Hands-On Antivirus Testing
How We Test Web Hosting Services
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A calprotectin stool test may help determine whether you have an inflammatory or noninflammatory bowel condition. The information it provides may also eliminate the need for more invasive tests.
If your doctor has asked you to do a calprotectin stool test, you may be wondering how to provide a trial — and what it will show.
Fecal matter, also known as stool or poop, can provide information about conditions that affect your gastrointestinal tract. These include:
- inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which includes ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn’s disease
- irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- bacterial or viral infections
Read on to learn all about the calprotectin stool test, including how it’s done and what it can (and can’t) tell you about your intestinal tract.
The calprotectin stool test is noninvasive.
This test is helpful for detecting and measuring inflammation levels in the intestines. The information it provides may eliminate the need for more invasive tests, like a colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy.
What is calprotectin?
Calprotectin is a protein manufactured by white blood cells in response to inflammation. When there’s inflammation in the intestines, white blood cells called neutrophils travel to that area of the body and release calprotectin in an effort to fight off disease or infection.
Inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract can be an indication of IBD. IBD is an umbrella term for chronic conditions that cause prolonged inflammation in the digestive tract. Examples of IBD include:
The calprotectin stool test can help your doctor diagnose IBD. It can also be used to monitor the severity of IBD flare-ups after diagnosis.
This test helps distinguish between IBD and IBS. IBS is a noninflammatory bowel condition often with similar symptoms.
High levels of calprotectin in stool may also indicate other conditions like:
IBD symptoms vary based on the location and severity of inflammation in the GI tract. Since ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease can flare up and recede over time, your symptoms may be chronic (long lasting) or acute (short term).
Many symptoms of IBD, including those of ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, can also be caused by IBS, certain cancers, or infections.
Some or all of these symptoms may signal the need for a calprotectin stool test:
- watery diarrhea
- bloody diarrhea
- cramping
- stomach pain
- unexplained weight loss
- rectal bleeding
- bloating
To take this test, you’ll need to provide a stool sample. The consistency of stool won’t affect the diagnostic ability of the test.
Your doctor may instruct you to eliminate certain substances for days or weeks before the test. These include:
Your doctor will give you a sterile container to collect your sample. It’s very important that the trial you provide not touch any surface other than the container. It’s also important that water and urine aren’t included in your sample. These substances can skew your test results.
How long will it take to receive results?
The amount of calprotectin in your stool will be measured in a laboratory. Based on the laboratory used, your results may take several days to 1 week.
High levels of calprotectin in stool may signal ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, colorectal cancer, or infection.
Moderate or low levels mean there’s little to no inflammation present in the intestines. This may indicate that your symptoms are caused by a viral infection or IBS.
Calprotectin levels are measured within a reference range of numerical values indicated as μg/g (micrograms per gram). According to the University of Iowa Dept. of Pathology Laboratory Services Handbook, the reference range for the calprotectin stool test is:
Next steps
- Normal (low, no inflammation) results: If your levels are low, your doctor may recommend self-care measures, like dietary changes, relaxation, and exercise for symptom relief. Antidiarrheal and antispasmodic medications may also be given.
- Moderate (borderline elevated) results: If your levels are borderline elevated, your doctor may recommend retesting in several weeks, along with medication to alleviate symptoms. If bacterial infection is suspected, antibiotics may be given.
- High results: If your levels are high, additional diagnostic tests, like a colonoscopy, will be done. This will help provide diagnostic information and determine the next steps for your care.
The calprotectin stool test is a noninvasive test that helps distinguish between IBD, including ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, and IBS. It may also signal the presence or absence of an infection or colorectal cancer.
The test involves providing a fecal (stool) trial to a laboratory. The laboratory analyzes the stool trial and sends the results to your doctor. Your doctor uses these results to determine whether additional testing is needed.
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Genital gonorrhea can be diagnosed in a number of ways, including with a urine test or a swab of your genitals or mouth.
A urine trial can be used to test for genital gonorrhea in people of any anatomy.
A urethral swab may be used to test for genital gonorrhea in people who have a penis. An endocervical or vaginal swab may be used to test for genital gonorrhea in those with a vagina.
You can use a mouth or throat swab to test for oral gonorrhea. An anal or rectal swab can be used to test for anal gonorrhea.
Gonorrhea, also known as “the clap” or “the drip,” is a bacterial sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by the Neisseria gonorrhoeae bacterium. It can target moist areas of the body, including the genitals, rectum, throat, uterus, cervix, fallopian tubes, and eyes.
Like other STIs, gonorrhea doesn’t appear *poof* out of nowhere. Instead, it’s transmitted when a person without gonorrhea comes into contact with the area where another person has gonorrhea.
If, for example, person A has throat gonorrhea and goes down on person B, the infection could be transmitted to person B’s genitals. (Yes, oral STIs are a thing.)
Likewise, if partner A has genital gonorrhea and scissors with person B, the infection could be transmitted to person B’s genitals.
To narrow down at-home gonorrhea tests for this list, we dove into patient feedback, cost, result accuracy, result timeline, and ease of use.
Next, we broke them down into the categories like “best on a budget” and “most comprehensive” so that you can find the best at-home gonorrhea test for you. We also thoroughly vetted the brands and products in this roundup to make sure you get the best quality and experience.
As you scroll down, you’ll notice that each of the four at-home gonorrhea tests below also tests for chlamydia. That’s because both bacterial infections are often asymptomatic, but present with similar symptoms when symptoms are present.
Best overall
Nurx Healthy V Kit
- Price: $$$
- Type of samples: vaginal swab, throat swab, finger prick
- Results: available online within a few days
- Follow-up care? yes, after positive and negative test results
The name of this kit may be a little cringe, but it’s overall the best get for vagina-havers.
Why? Because it tests for gonorrhea in the vagina, as well as the throat, using the vaginal swab and throat swab.
Here’s why that’s so important: Oral STIs are indeed a thing, and a thing anyone who engages in oral sex is at risk of. But most doctors (and at-home tests) don’t collect throat samples — due to a combination of the oral sex stigma and lack of knowledge — which leaves many individuals with a false understanding of their own STI status.
The Nurx Healthy V Kit also tests for:
In addition to the swabs, the kit also comes with a lancet so you can collect a blood trial to test for syphilis and HIV.
Recommended for those with a vagina who haven’t been tested for STIs in over a year — as well as those who have been experiencing symptoms — the Healthy V Kit is a great one-stop shop.
Best on a budget
Everlywell Chlamydia & Gonorrhea Test
- Price: $
- Type of samples: urine
- Results: available online within a few days
- Follow-up care? yes, after positive test results
This at-home test by well-known STI testing brand Everlywell is the ultimate double-whammy: It tests for both chlamydia and genital gonorrhea using the same urine sample.
Request this package online and you’ll receive a kit with all the instructions and materials you need for trial collection in the mail.
Basically, you pee into a green cup. Then, squirt the pee into the urine trial tube using the included pipette. Finally, you put the trial tube into a biohazard bag before putting the whole thing into a prepaid return bag.
You’ll receive your results within a few days through the Everlywell patient portal.
If you receive a positive test, you’ll have the opportunity to talk with a healthcare professional about next steps (like antibiotics) at no additional cost.
For a more encompassing test, Everlywell also has a full at-home STD test available for $149 that tests for multiple types of STDs at once.
Use code “HEALTHLINE25” for 25% off.
Most comprehensive
MyLab Box 3-Site
- Price: $$
- Type of samples: swab and urine sample
- Results: available online within 2 to 5 days
- Follow-up care? yes, after positive test results
Once more for the people in the back: It’s possible to have gonorrhea of the genitals, rectum, or throat. That means if you engage in anal or oral play with a person who is STI-positive or whose current STI status you don’t know, it’s wise to get tested in all three locations.
MyLab Box 3-Site allows you to do just that! This box also tests for chlamydia in all three locations.
Collection for the test has three parts, but from start to finish, it shouldn’t take you more than 5 minutes.
First, you’ll pee into a little tube. Next, you’ll swab your anus. Finally, you’ll swab your throat. (Don’t worry, neither the anal nor throat swabs are painful).
Once you’ve collected your samples, you’ll ship them off to the laboratory using a pre-addressed and pre-paid envelope. And you’ll receive your secure results within a matter of 2 to 5 weekdays.
If you test positive, you’ll receive info on how to obtain a free (yes, free!) telemedicine consultation with a doctor in your state. This doctor may be able to prescribe treatment for chlamydia or gonorrhea, depending on what you test positive for.
They’ll also tell you when you should be retested after treatment to confirm that the infection is gone.
Best for combination STI testing
LetsGetChecked
- Price: $-$$$
- Type of samples: urine, finger prick
- Results: available online within 2 to 5 days
- Follow-up care? yes, after positive test results
LetsGetChecked offers three STD tests in the above price range:
- Simple 2 at $99 tests for chlamydia and gonorrhea
- Standard 5 at $149 tests for chlamydia, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and syphilis
- Complete 8 at $249 tests for chlamydia, gonorrhea, HIV, syphilis, trichomoniasis, Gardnerella, mycoplasma, and ureaplasma
The Simple 2 uses a urine sample. The Standard 5 and Complete 8 use urine and finger prick blood samples.
After activating your kit and collecting your samples in the morning, you’ll send them back for laboratory testing in an envelope with a prepaid label. Easy-to-read results will be sent to your secured online account within 2 to 5 days.
If any of your test results come back positive, you can request a virtual consultation with a healthcare professional who can prescribe medication, for $39 per visit.
Symptoms usually (usually!) appear between 2 and 14 days after exposure. However, most cases of gonorrhea are asymptomatic, meaning there are no symptoms.
When someone does experience symptoms, they usually include:
- burning or pain while urinating
- yellow, white, or green discharge
- itching, soreness, or skin irritation
- abdominal, pelvic, rectal, or genital pain
Regardless of whether or not someone has symptoms, the bacteria can still be transmitted.
And not only that — the infection can progress. If untreated, gonorrhea can cause complications such as:
In short: Getting tested is imperative.
But did you know that some time needs to pass between when someone first comes into contact with gonorrhea and when they will test positive for it?
Known as the incubation period, this time ranges from 1–14 days. That’s why experts recommend getting tested for gonorrhea 2 weeks after potential exposures and then again several weeks later.
If you get tested before that, you might receive a negative result, even if you’re positive. Or, if you receive a positive diagnosis, it could be because you came into contact prior to your last sexual encounter.
If you find out the person you had sex with has gonorrhea shortly (1–3 days) after having sex with them, talk with a healthcare professional. They may be able to prescribe an antibiotic taken as a precaution against the infection. You can also talk with your partner about expedited partner therapy, or EPT. This practice has been around since 2006 because of EPT’s usefulness in reducing gonorrhea reinfection rate.
All of the tests we’ve reviewed for this roundup are analyzed in Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA)-certified laboratories. However, they may use different terminology in their reports.
In some instances, you may see your results indicated as positive or negative. Or, you may see words like normal and abnormal. Interpreting your results, and determining the best treatment option for you, should be done by a healthcare professional.
It’s possible to be positive for multiple conditions. No matter what your results are, don’t start or stop using medication until you speak with a healthcare professional.
Getting test results back can be confusing, or, let’s face it, even scary. Every test on this list gives you the option of quickly connecting with a healthcare professional at no or low cost.
Take advantage of that, and check in with someone who can calmly explain your results to you. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Take notes if you need to.
And don’t end the consultation until you’re completely clear about what’s going on and what you need to do next. If you already have a doctor you trust, you can also give them a call to discuss your results.
At-home tests should be discreet, reliable, and accurate. When you’re choosing the best type for you, make sure to check off these boxes:
- your kit will arrive in a discreet envelope
- the test will be analyzed in a CLIA-certified laboratory
- your online privacy and test results will be protected with up-to-date security features
- your identity and information will not be sold, ever, to any third party
- test results will be provided within 1 week or less
- follow up consultations with healthcare providers are available
If you’re reading this, odds are it’s because you’re on the market for an at-home gonorrhea test.
Well, you probably have questions beyond, “Which at-home gonorrhea test is best?” That’s why we put together this FAQ list.
Are at-home gonorrhea tests accurate?
Yes! Most at-home STI testing brands use the same type of samples as an in-office collection.
Further, at-home testing companies send your samples to the same exact labs that in-person healthcare professionals use, meaning the accuracy of the results is the same.
When should I get tested?
Again, the best time to get tested is 2 weeks after a potential exposure or if you have symptoms, and then again several weeks later.
Beyond that, however, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that any sexually active person get tested at least once a year — and more often if you frequently have new sexual partners.
Who should get tested?
If you’re experiencing symptoms associated with gonorrhea, you might choose to take an at-home gonorrhea test.
However, because the symptoms of gonorrhea are similar to those of many other STIs, as well as infections like yeast infections, it may be more cost-efficient for you to take an at-home STI test that tests for multiple STIs. Or, it may be better to get tested at a doctor’s office, Planned Parenthood, a health department, or another low-cost clinic.
Are at-home gonorrhea tests private?
Yes. All the tests listed here are completely confidential and private — they have to be under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
The packaging for these tests is also discreet. The only indication of where the package is coming and going is the shipping label.
What should I do if my test results are positive?
Most at-home STI testing companies have healthcare professionals on staff who will call you to discuss the next steps.
Gonorrhea can’t go away on its own. So, the first step will involve going on antibiotics, which will either include an intramuscular injection or oral dose. The exact dosage and type of medication will vary based on how much the infection has progressed.
You should also abstain from sex. A healthcare professional will tell you when it’s OK to start engaging again.
Learn more about gonorrhea treatment here.
Next, they will help you figure out how to talk with your current partner(s), as well as determine how far back in your sexual history you should be alerting folks. (Yes, talking with current and latest sexual partners is an important step.) Additionally, gonorrhea is a reportable STI, which means a positive test result should be reported in accordance with state and local regulations.
Finally, 1–2 weeks later, the healthcare professional will have you get retested for gonorrhea. This is known as test-of-cure and is important because reinfection is super common. Experts also recommend getting retested 3 months after to check for reinfection.
Knowing your current STI status, including your gonorrhea status, is imperative for being a responsible sexual citizen, as well as prioritizing your own health.
And at-home gonorrhea tests make it easier to do so, especially for people who don’t have transportation to a testing site.
Gabrielle Kassel (she/her) is a queer sex educator and wellness journalist who is committed to helping people feel the best they can in their bodies. In addition to Healthline, her work has appeared in publications such as Shape, Cosmopolitan, Well+Good, Health, Self, Women’s Health, Greatist, and more! In her free time, Gabrielle can be found coaching CrossFit, reviewing pleasure products, hiking with her border collie, or recording episodes of the podcast she co-hosts called Bad In Bed. Follow her on Instagram @Gabriellekassel.
Photo: istockphoto.com
Household pollutants can come from a variety of sources including the materials used in your home’s construction, and mold and mildew caused by poor ventilation. Clean air in the home can protect you from carcinogens, allergens, and harmful particulates. Even if you don’t suspect a problem, it’s a good idea to have some type of air quality monitor in the home. Threats like radon and carbon monoxide are colorless, odorless, and tasteless, and you’ll have no clue that there’s trouble until you’re already in the danger zone. The good news is that it’s fairly easy to conduct indoor air quality testing and monitoring yourself: All you need is a few key tools.
Signs of Poor Indoor Air Quality
The wide range of pollutants, particulates, and allergens that can affect indoor air make it difficult to create an all-inclusive list of poor indoor air quality indicators. However, there are circumstances and signs that could indicate poor air quality in your home, including:
- Poor ventilation: Condensation on walls or windows, musty-smelling air, or areas where mold collects on walls suggests a ventilation issue.
- Health problems: Respiratory or other health problems that develop after moving into a home and that subside after time spent away from home point toward an environmental issue in the home.
- Unusual odors: If you notice unusual odors after a period of absence from home, pollutants or mold could be permeating the indoor air.
- Older homes: Materials and construction methods used in older homes sometimes include materials known to emit harmful VOCs or pollutants. Outdated construction methods may also contribute to ventilation problems. That doesn’t mean that new homes can’t have issues with indoor air quality—it just means that poor indoor air quality is less likely in newer builds because they have to conform to modern building codes.
RELATED: Mold vs. Mildew: What’s the Difference?
Before You Begin
Not every home requires air quality testing for every potential particulate or pollutant. Often, the types of symptoms you experience and the age and location of the home can help you narrow down potential pollutants. Be sure to consult a doctor if you are experiencing health problems that you suspect are related to your home environment. A doctor can help identify and treat health issues related to exposure to mold, radon, and carbon monoxide.
STEP 1: Set up an indoor air quality monitor.
How is air quality measured? Some monitors use electrochemical sensors that detect toxins while others estimate particulate matter (PM) based on the particulates that pass in front of a laser. It depends on the type of monitor you have and what it’s designed to detect.
Air quality testing can detect harmful odorless gasses like carbon monoxide and radon. Depending on the model, they may also detect volatile organic compounds (VOCs) or pollutants such as airborne particulate matter. More advanced indoor air quality monitors may also measure the room’s humidity and temperature.
Choose a monitor that detects the specific pollutants that concern you. For example, if you live in an area with high air pollution, you’re more likely to need a model that detects particulate matter. Those who live in older homes may want to get a model that detects radon and carbon monoxide (though either can be present in newer homes, too).
Our Recommendation: Temptop M10 Air Quality Monitor – Get it at Amazon for $92.99
This portable air quality monitor’s sensors track airborne particulate matter, VOCs, and formaldehyde with a simple display and interface.
STEP 2: Test for mold.
Mold tests come in various formats, including swabs, tape strips, air pumps, and petri dish tests. Swabs and tape strip tests collect potential contaminants from a surface like a counter or tabletop. The results from a swab test come within a few minutes, though you may not know the exact type of mold.
Tape strips, air pumps, and petri dish tests require the collected trial be sent to a lab for analysis. While these tests are more accurate than a simple swab test, it can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks to get the results. Additionally, petri dish tests can get contaminated from other particles in the air. Tape strips and swabs can also get contaminated by other particles on the tested surface.
Air pumps offer a closed system that’s less likely to get contaminated, though they tend to cost more. Set the mold test up near the home’s ventilation or in the area where you suspect mold or a contaminant. However, always follow the directions on the test kit for the best results.
Our Recommendation: Seeml Labs DIY Mold 3 Test Kit – Get it at Amazon for $32.99
This kit comes with three tests (one swab and two tape strips), which offer same-day (that the results arrive) results from a lab.
RELATED: How to Test for Mold
STEP 3: Perform a radon test at home.
Radon gas naturally occurs as a byproduct of the breakdown of the uranium found in certain rocks and soil. The gas can seep its way into a home through the foundation until it reaches harmful levels.
Radon tests detect levels of the gas over time. Short-term tests take 90 days or less, while long-term tests can take several months. The results from these tests are usually interpreted by a lab. Continuous tests monitor radon levels at all times and alert you if high levels of radon are detected.
Depending on the type of radon test you use, the testing process may require installing detection sheets or other materials in an area suggested by the manufacturer. The key is to follow the instructions on the test.
Our Recommendation: Airthings 2989 View Radon – Get it at Amazon for $199.99
This continuous, battery- or USB-operated radon monitor measures indoor radon levels, temperature, and humidity and integrates with the Airthings mobile app to provide the user remote alerts.
STEP 4: Install carbon monoxide detectors on every level of your home.
Carbon monoxide (CO) is an odorless, poisonous gas that causes confusion, dizziness, and headaches before it causes a loss of consciousness and death. Many smoke detectors these days are combination smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. It’s critically important to have both types of detectors in your home, so you’ll want to make sure that your home safety plan monitors both smoke and carbon monoxide.
Carbon monoxide detectors should be placed outside bedrooms, and anywhere in the house you’d place a smoke detectors. There should be a carbon monoxide detector on each level of the home and near sleeping areas. Carbon monoxide rises with air, so the detector should be placed about 5 feet off the floor on a wall or on the ceiling. Do not put them near a fireplace or open flame.
Our Recommendation: Kidde Nighthawk Carbon Monoxide Detector – Get it at Amazon for $34.99
Kidde’s Nighthawk is a reliable, affordable carbon monoxide detector that sounds when CO levels reach unhealthy levels. We like that it has a digital display and multiple power sources, including battery backup, so it will continue functioning during a power outage.
RELATED: 8 Myths About Indoor Air Quality and the Facts You Need to Breathe Easy
Tips for Improving Indoor Air Quality
Home air quality monitoring devices will alert you if pollutants reach dangerous levels. However, there are many things you can do to prevent levels from reaching dangerous levels in the first place.
• Check your HVAC system to make sure it’s functioning at peak efficiency.
• Increase the airflow in your home by periodically opening the windows and using fans to circulate the air.
• Stay on top of mold removal and prevention around the home. If you find mold, try scrubbing it with a mold-killing cleaner like bleach or borax. For delicate surfaces, you can use dish soap or diluted white vinegar. Unfortunately, you may not be able to remove mold from porous surfaces, and they may need to be replaced.
Carbon monoxide is incredibly dangerous. If you suspect that there’s carbon monoxide in your home in high or low doses, leave at once. Open windows and doors, and get outside into the fresh air. Contact the proper authorities to get you and the home checked for carbon monoxide poisoning.
Prices in this article are accurate as of August 3, 2023.
