The Importance Of STD Testing For Sexually Active People

Laboratory STD Testing Screening Options and Recommendations For Everyone

What are your options for reliable laboratory testing for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)? You can receive an STD Test at a testing laboratory, a public or private health clinic such as First Choice Immediate Care. Depending on the STD test that you think you may need, there are many different methods for testing. An STD test can be done by:

• A blood draw
• A urine sample
• A genital swab
• An oral swab
• A scraping of skin tissue, culture of blisters or ulcers

What Are STD’s?

STD’S (also called sexually transmitted infections or STIs) are contagious diseases that are caused by sexual contact with a person who already has an infection.

STD’s are caused by viruses, bacteria or sometimes tiny pests. Most of the STD’s that are caused by bacteria or small organisms can be cured with antibiotics or topical creams and lotions. The most common STD’s caused by bacterial infections are syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia.

The STD’s that are caused by viruses are usually incurable, although you can treat them with varying degrees of success. The most common STD’s caused by virus infections are human papillomavirus (HPV or genital warts), herpes and the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV – which produces AIDS). HIV is by far the most dangerous STD because an infection can often be fatal.

The Importance Of STD Tests And Information

Because STD’s can be so dangerous, access to proper testing and adequate information is a fundamental element of achieving and maintaining good health.

There is a very high value placed on sexual attraction and sexual contact in modern society. On the other hand, there is not very much significance placed on educating people about sex intercourse or the consequences of reckless sexual behavior.

For instance, since HIV became well-known to the mainstream culture about 30 years ago – there has been a lot of fear and misinformation about the disease. The HIV outbreak has at various times been blamed on primates, homosexuals, and African-Americans.

Ignorance and misinformation about the disease led many people to engage in unsafe sexual behavior under the assumption they were not at risk. Unfortunately, this led to a false sense of security that may have contributed to the spread of the disease.

The truth is that every person of any sexual orientation can contract or transmit the disease.

The Many Ways That HIV Is Spread

You can catch or pass on HIV in the following ways:

• By engaging in sex with an HIV positive individual.
• Via sharing intravenous needles or syringes with an infected person.
• A mother who has HIV can infect her baby.
• Through contact with contaminated blood.

Currently, most people realize the importance of STD tests, sex education and taking certain precautions before, during and after casual sexual contact.

What Type Of STD Test Should You Get?

If you have had unprotected sex, or you engage in casual sex – it is a great idea to get tested for every STD. This is true even if you use a condom or another form of protection during sexual contact. Often, it may take a few days or even weeks before symptoms from an STD can manifest. Every STD is available to be tested via a laboratory.

Syphilis, Gonorrhea & Chlamydia

Again, these three infections are the most common bacterial STDs in America. Part of what makes these diseases so dangerous is that many times infected people have no symptoms. Syphilis is particularly hazardous because the disease can be dormant in an afflicted person – but they can still transmit the disease to others.

Syphilis, gonorrhea & chlamydia usually infect the genitals. They can affect the eyes, connective joints and the mucous membranes of the body. Newborn babies can be infected by their mothers during birth.

All three of these diseases can be treated and cured via antibiotic medicine. If they are left untreated, they can cause infertility and some very serious health complications. Once infection occurs, another occurrence of the disease is always possible, so it is important to continue annual screening for these three ailments.

HPV, Herpes, and HIV

Once more – These three infections are the major virus form of sexually transmitted diseases. Like the bacterial form of the illnesses, the viruses may not immediately show symptoms at the onset of contamination. Eventually, symptoms will occur for all three diseases.

For HPV, initial indicators of the illness include warts on the genitals, anus, skin, neck and head. Lesions can also form in the mouth or on the respiratory organs. These lesions can be so problematic that they interfere with breathing. Over time, warts and lesions can become cancerous if they do not receive proper treatment.

A herpes infection can manifest in many ways and cause numerous medical conditions. Herpes may affect the genitals, face, mouth and hands. Very serious contagions can infect and damage the eyes, the central nervous system, and the brain. In some cases, herpes can lead to mental disorders like bipolar disorder and Alzheimer’s disease.

HIV eventually causes AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). Over time, the infection can destroy a person’s immune system, leaving them vulnerable to all sorts of infections that will devastate the body and cause death.

Hepatitis

Even though people are not as familiar with Hepatitis, more people die from hepatitis than they do from HIV or AIDS.

Hepatitis is a set of infections characterized by inflammation of the liver. The virus occurs in five different forms: type A, B, C, D, and E. Only hepatitis B and C are transmitted by sexual contact.

Many people do not display symptoms of the disease, but when hepatitis does manifest individuals will exhibit the following physical indicators:

· Yellow discoloration of the skin and whites of the eyes

• Abdominal pain,
• Chronic diarrhea
• Poor appetite
• Vomiting
• Fatigue

Get A STD Test For Better Health and Increased Quality Of Life

You should get tested and treatment for ALL infections.
Even if you find out that you have an STD caused by a virus, you can slow the progression of a viral infection and prevent the onset of additional health problems if you receive proper health care and therapy.