What is STD Testing?
An STD test is a medical test for the presence of any of a number of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Most STD tests are blood tests, and are usually performed after symptoms are detected (disease), but may be used in screening high risk populations to detect asymptomatic or presymptomatic infections. STD tests may test for a single infection, or consist of a number of individual tests for any of a wide range of STIs, including tests for syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, hepatitis and HIV tests. No procedure tests for all infectious agents, so it is important to be aware what a given test screens for.
STD tests may be used for a number of reasons:
as a diagnostic test for the diagnosis of illness
as a screening test
as a check that prospective long-term sexual partners are free of disease before they engage in sex without safer sex precautions (for example, in fluid bonding, or to attempt to have a baby).
as a check prior to or during pregnancy, to prevent damage to the baby
as a check after birth, to check that the baby has not caught an STI from their mother
to prevent the use of infected donated blood or organs
as part of the process of contact tracing from a known infected individual
as part of mass epidemiological surveillance
Not all STIs appear right away. In some instances a disease can be carried with no outward symptoms, which leaves a greater risk of passing the disease on to others.
Who should do the STD Testing?
Everyone, sexually active or not, needs to have basic knowledge of STDs and STD testing.
Anyone who is sexually active should receive routine STD testing. This means anyone who participates in sexual activity of any kind, not just vaginal intercourse, is at risk. The risk of contracting a sexually transmitted disease is increased for those who have more than one sexual partner.
STD testing can be performed at your doctor's office or local lab. There are various types of STD tests, and not all doctors test for the same diseases. Some STDs may be tested for using blood tests, urine, or cell samples. You may need to have multiple tests depending on your sexual history and possible symptoms.
When it comes to STD testing, the sooner you have it done, the better. Like most diseases, the earlier it is caught, the easier it will be to treat. If you have symptoms of a sexually transmitted disease, the best thing to do is to have yourself and your partner tested. If you're thinking of becoming sexually involved with a new partner, both you and your partner should be tested first. If you have more than one sexual partner, STD testing is recommended yearly.
Why STD Testing is important?
STD testing is important to protect your health and the health of your partner and future partners. The truth is that most people who transmit STDs don't even know they have one. That knowledge can be obtained in a simple test and can help protect both you and your partner.
The spreading of STDs is preventable. Diseases such as Chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis are easily curable with simple antibiotics. But in order to treat these STDs, you must be aware of them. STD testing is the first step.
You have a responsibility to receive STD testing, not only to protect your partner and to prevent the spreading of STDs, but also to yourself, your body, and your health.
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