Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD) When To Get Tested

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are common but the types of STD testing you need may vary depending on the risk factors. STDs have reached the high level of concerns and that’s a good reason to get tested for a number of these infections. If you are sexually active, most importantly with more than one partner, use protection to be saved and get tested. This is very important because you can have sexually transmitted disease without knowing because in most cases, no signs or symptoms occur. The numbers of people infected with sexually transmitted diseases are much higher than is reported because a lot of people don’t even know they have the disease.

Here are some common infections you may already have and why you should get tested for them today.

Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)

HPV affects the skin and the moist membrane that lines the inside of certain body parts such as the month, throat and anus. Some types of HPV can increase the risk of developing cancer. HPV is a group of viruses that have about 150 types, which are major causes of sexually transmitted infections. There are two main types of risks caused by HPV; low risk, which usually only cause genital warts, and high risk, which can lead to penile, anal, and cancers. Sexually active people become infected with HPV at some point in their lives but never develop symptoms.  There is no screening test for men with such infection but visual inspection or biopsy of genital warts; women HPV testing can include Pap test, HPV test. Both low and high risk HPV can be transmitted through Skin-to-skin contact during oral sex.

Chlamydia

The only way to find out if you have chlamydia is to get tested. Chlamydia is another type of bacteria spread by unprotected vaginal, oral, or anal sex. Condoms are also widely effective against chlamydia. For oral sex, dental dams should be employed by men to reduce risk of exposure. Chlamydia usually has no visible symptoms but a common sign of infection in men is a penile discharge or burning sensation during urination, don’t delay if you have chlamydia, being diagnosed and treated on time will reduce your risk of serious complications, the recommended tests are simple, painless and very reliable. It’s either using a swab or urinating into a container while men will usually be asked to provide a urine sample and result be ready after 7 to 10days. Symptoms of chlamydia usually appear between one and three weeks after unprotected sex with an infected person and some people will not experience any symptoms until many months after unprotected sex with an infected person. Sometimes the symptoms can disappear after few days, it all depend on individual.

Chlamydia symptoms in women includes:

• Pain when urinating
• Unusual vaginal discharge
• Tummy pain or pelvis
• Pain or bleeding during and after sex
• Bleeding between periods
• Heavier periods than usual

Chlamydia symptoms in men include

• Pain when urinating
• White, cloudy or watery discharge from the tip of the penis
• Burning or itching in the urethra
• Pain in the testicles.

Gonorrhoea

Gonorrhoea is a bacterial illness that is transmitted through oral, anal or Vagina sex. It usually results in an infection that affects the throat, rectum or genitals. Early diagnosis and treatment of gonorrhoea will reduce the risk of any complications such as pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) developing or infection in the testicles, as complication from long term untreated infections can be difficult to treat.

Ways To Test for Gonorrhoea

For women, health professional usually take a swab to collect a sample from the vagina or cervix during an internal examination.  In some cases, a sample may also be taken from the urethra; you may be asked to use a swab or tampon to collect a sample from inside your vagina yourself.

For men, urine sample or a swab may be used to remove a sample of discharge from the end of the penis and if you are asked to provide a urine sample, do not urinate for about two hours beforehand for best result of the test.

Gonorrhoea Symptoms in Women

In women, symptoms of gonorrhoea can include:

• Unusual vaginal discharge
• Pain or a burning sensation when passing urine
• Pain or tenderness in the lower abdominal area (Uncommon symptom)
• Heavy period and bleeding after sex.

Gonorrhoea symptoms in men

In men, symptoms of gonorrhoea can include:

• Yellow or green discharge from the tip of the penis,
• Burning sensation during urination
• Inflammation (swelling) of the foreskin
• Pain or tenderness in the testicles (uncommon).

Herpes

Herpes also known as genital herpes can be diagnosed easily and accurately when the infection is still active.  Herpes are caused by two viruses: Herpes simplex type 1 (HSV1), which usually affect the mouth as sores and blisters, and herpes simplex type 2 (HSV2), which mainly targets the genitals. Genital herpes is usually spread through kissing and oral herpes through sexual contact to the genitals. There is no permanent cure for Herpes but there are preventative measures you can take that will lessen the outbreaks, severity, and duration.

Advice

• If your sexual history, current signs and symptoms suggest it is STI, blood test, Urine sample and fluid samples can detect the type and cause of the infection. Also, screening, though is not a routine part of healthcare, but there are certain people that can have the privilege of screening.
• If you test positive for an STI, consider further testing and commence treatment immediately, also inform your sex partners so that he can get tested too to avoid passing the infection back and forth.
• Don’t feel ashamed or afraid to discuss your problem with health professionals as the earlier you seek for help, the better and save you will become.
• To avoid contacting infection or passing an infection to your partner, always use condom when having sexual intercourse.
• Untreated chlamydia can spread to the womb and cause a serious condition called pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which is a major cause of ectopic pregnancy and infertility in women.
• Gonorrhoea can usually be cured with antibiotics but some resistant strains have recently being identified. As such, it is best to have your doctor follow up after being treated to ensure that all of the bacteria have been destroyed.