STD Test - What Is Right for You?

Posted by juliabennet on May 4th, 2012

STD test can be done in various ways. Whenever you go to the doctor for STD test, you may be asked a few question related to the risk factors and safety issues. Once your condition has been assessed, you will be tested for the condition(s).

Frequency and Risk Factors
Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are very common. In order to test for these diseases to go through the diagnosis and assess the risk factors associated with the same.

People, who have been sexually active, particularly having multiple partners, must have heard about some common advices, such as using protecting and ensuring that you are tested from time to time. At STI clinic UK, there are some sophisticated methods used for testing STDs.

How is STD test done and how often should a person be screened? Are there any typical signs or symptoms of STDs that could be an alarming sign to lead to a test?

The answers will depend on age, sexual behavior and various other factors that could contribute to risk.

Women often presume that they are receiving STD test every time they are passed through gynecological examination or a Pap test. Irrespective of your age and gender, if you feel that you require STD test, you may request your doctor to help you. Ensure all your concerns are addressed.

Diagnosing Specific STDs
There are some specific STDs that are tested in STI clinic UK.

For conditions like gonorrhea and Chlamydia, you must get yourself screened annually if you have been sexually active as a woman less than 25 years of age; you are over 25 years and you have multiple sex partners; you are a gay.

The methods of testing for gonorrhea and Chlamydia are done through swab testing or urine test, for both men and women. The sample will be analyzed in the lab. Screening is a vital process, as it will help in identifying the condition even if you are not having any signs or symptoms.

Hepatitis, syphilis, HIV
HIV testing is now encouraged by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to be done at least once in a year. This should be taken as a part of routine medical care, applicable to adults between 13 to 64 years of age. Tests for hepatitis, syphilis and HIV can be requested if you are have been tested for chlamydia and gonorrhea and found to be positive; you have had multiple partners since the last test; you are gay; you have used intravenous drugs.

Genital Herpes
Herpes is a common condition, affecting men and women. It is a viral infection that usually transmits from one infected person to another, it rarely has any symptoms. You may be taken through series of tests, involving tissue scraping, blisters culture and examination. Blood test can be done to get a conclusive result. STI clinic UK offers you all the methods of STD test for this condition.

HPV
There are some types of HPVs or human papillomavirus that causes cervical cancer. There are some other varieties of the same virus that can lead to genital warts. Most people who have been sexually active all their life are likely to be injected with this virus, but they may never develop symptoms. These viruses tend to disappear within 2 years.
The screening test is available only for women. Methods include Pap test and HPV test.

You can now get a STD test done at a STI clinic UK. Click on the links now to learn more.