If you’re sexually active and engage in risky sexual endeavors like unprotected sex, you have a high chance of contracting an STD. You may have many questions about them and knowing about various STDs and the kinds of tests can help you identify symptoms and get treated. Getting tested should be the first thing you should do if you are experiencing any symptoms or suspect your partner of having contracted an STD. Most infected individuals do not experience any symptoms at all. Therefore, STD testing should be a mandatory part of routine health checkups. In this article, you will know more about all kinds of tests for specific STDs and who should take them.
Testing for particular STDs
Down below, we have listed the guidelines for particular STDs that can help you decide which STI testing is the right one for you.
Chlamydia and Gonorrhea
Chlamydia and Gonorrhea are usually tested with a urine test or vaginal/penile swab. Screening for these two STDs is mandatory because most individuals do not experience symptoms despite carrying the infection. Chlamydia and Gonorrhea are known to be the most commonly occurring STIs in the U.S. as per the CDC. Therefore, the national guidelines have recommended annual screening for:-
- Sexually active women under 25 years of age
- Women who are older than 25 years
- Men who engage in sexual activities with men
- People who are HIV positive
- Transgender women who engage in sexual activities with men
- People who have been forced to engage in sexual activities
HIV, Hepatitis and Syphilis
HIV testing is recommended by the U.S. Preventive Services Taskforce and the CDC as a part of routine health care annually, especially for individuals aged between 15 to 65. Older adults and younger teens should be mandatorily tested because they have a high risk of contracting STIs. As per the National guidelines, screening for Hepatitis C should be a mandate for adults aged between 18 to 79. These tests are usually conducted with blood samples or swabs from any STD-induced sores if they appear. If you experience any of the following risk factors, you should consider immediately going for STD testing:-
- Infection symptoms
- Positive test for other STIs like Gonorrhea and Chlamydia
- Having multiple sexual partners
- IV (Intravenous) drug use
- Men who engage in sexual activities with men
- Being pregnant
- People who have been forced to engage in sexual activities
Genital Herpes
Most individuals infected with Herpes don’t experience any symptoms but have a high risk of transmitting the virus to others. Therefore, if you have had any risky sexual encounters or are suspecting your partner to have contracted Herpes, consider getting tested with immediate effect. Sometimes, your test may come back negative as well despite you having the symptoms. Consider getting another test done. Healthcare providers usually use a culture of blisters, a blood sample or a tissue sample for Herpes screening.
HPV
HPV (Human Papillomavirus) symptoms generally appear as genital warts and if left untreated may even cause cervical cancer. However, a majority of people who have been reported to have HPV do not show any symptoms at all. Regular HPV screening is not recommended for males who have not experienced genital warts. For females, HPV testing should be a mandate, especially for ones aged between 25 to 65. The testing process usually involves a pap test or an HPV test.
Choose Affordable Rapid Testing, AZ for 100% accurate STD testing
If you are experiencing STD symptoms or have had a sexual encounter with someone suffering from an STD, getting tested should be the first thing on your checklist. Untreated STDs can wreak havoc on your body especially if you go without treatment for years. It can result in severe health consequences, and in the worst cases, even death. Affordable Rapid Testing, Arizona has dedicated testing centers in both Scottsdale and Phoenix. They specialize in all kinds of standard STD testing methods and seek to deliver the promise of accuracy when it comes to lab results. To know more about Affordable Rapid Testing, you can check out their official website.
