The cases of Sexually Transmitted Diseases have become common today. However, the risk factors may vary and to identify their types, you require STD screening. Here’s what is recommended if you need to go for an STD check.
Be it men or women, having multiple sexual partners is a common thing today. But, one thing that should always be kept in mind if you too have intercourse with multiple partners: use protection and be very careful about these things every single time.
Chances are that your multiple sexual partners might have sexual intercourse with multiple people other than you, and you never know from where these diseases get into your body. You will never be aware of this because in most cases there are no early signs or symptoms.
Today, in the world of medical sciences, there are experts who prefer using the term sexually transmitted infections (STIs) rather than sexually transmitted diseases. The reason is that a person can get an infection without getting the symptoms of a disease.
However, for your convenience, we will proceed with the article using the term STD since that’s the one everyone is more familiar with. So, now the question is what kind of STD screening one can require and how often one should be screened? Answers to most of your questions will depend on your age and your sexual involvements.
If you think that you need to get STD check, try to talk to your doctor and discuss your concerns with him/her. An expert can suggest you the right way to proceed ahead. Meanwhile, let’s know more about these infections or diseases further in this write-up. Symptoms/guidelines for specific sexually transmitted diseases:
1. Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea:
You may require an annual STD screening for these two diseases in case of:
- A woman, who is sexually active under the age of 25
- A woman older than 25 and, who has sex with a new partner or multiple partners
- A man sexually involved with men
- An HIV positive person
- A forceful sexual intercourse engagement against a person’s will
STD check for these two diseases is performed either by a urine test or by a swab inside the penis in a man or by the cervix in a woman. The sample is sent for analysis to a laboratory. Getting this screening done is important so that you can be worry-free from the infections which otherwise can be health threatening for you.
2. HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis
STD check for HIV is advised at least once as a routine part of health care if you’re between the age of 13 and 64. Younger teens have a high risk of developing an STD. It should be an annual STD check if you are at a high risk of infection.
You should go for STD screening for HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis if:
- Your test is positive for one kind of STD‘ it puts you at higher risk of acquiring another.
- You have more than one sexual partner or your partner has the same.
- You use intravenous drugs
- You are a man and have sex with men
- You are planning a pregnancy
- You had to have forceful intercourse against your will
The test is done either by taking a blood sample or a swab from any genital sores of a man or a woman respectively. The sample is then sent to a laboratory.
3. Genital herpes
For genital herpes, there is hardly a good STD screening available. As we have mentioned earlier, an infection can be present even if your body doesn’t show any kind of symptoms. During an early stage, your doctor will take a culture of early ulcers and will send it for examination in the laboratory. But a negative test doesn’t mean that herpes can’t be a cause for the genital ulcerations.
A blood test can also help in detecting a previous herpes infection, but it doesn’t mean that results will be always conclusive. There are generally two types of herpes virus and some blood tests are performed to differentiate between them. The Type 1 virus typically causes cold sores, although its presence is also linked with genital sores.
The Type 2 virus causes genital sores most of the time. However, not every time the test gives clear results. It depends upon the sensitivity of the test as well as stage where one’s infection has reached.
4. HPV infections:
HPV stands for Human Papilloma Virus and its certain types can lead to cervical cancer while a few others are linked with causing genital warts. At some point in life, there are many cases of HPV among many sexually active people, both men as well as women. However, chances are that their bodies will never develop or reflect symptoms. The virus tends to vanish away within two years.
Talking about STD screening, there is no routine test for men. In their case, the symptoms of the infection are diagnosed by a visual inspection or biopsy of genital warts.
On the other hand, in women, HPV screening is performed by:
- Pap test: This test checks the cervix for the growth of abnormal cells. It is recommended once in three years for women between the age 21 and 65.
- HPV test: Women older than 30 years may have to go for an HPV test along with a Pap test every five years, even if the previous tests were normal. Women of age between 21 and 30 will have to undergo an HPV test if the results of their Pap test were positive.
HPV infection sometimes also leads to causing the cancer of the vagina, vulva, penis or anus, sometimes mouth and throat as well. There are Vaccines available that can protect both men and women from some types of HPV. However, these vaccines are most effective if only given before the sexual activities begin.
Positive test results
If one’s STD check comes out to be positive, the next step should be considering further testing. It will lead to treatment as per the recommendation of a doctor.
Meanwhile, one should always inform his/her sex partner because we know that these are sexually transmitted diseases and infections. Your partners will also need to be examined and treated because there will be chances of some kind of infection transmission.
If you feel different kind of emotions, you may expect it to happen. These emotions can be of guilt, anger or fear. But, remember the getting the STD screening done is the right thing you have done and now talk about your every concern with your doctor.