Information on STDs and STD Testing (Sexually Transmitted Diseases)

Private MD Lab Services includes a panel for the basic and advance tests below:

Not all labs perform the same tests for sexually transmitted diseases. Keep reading if you would like to learn which tests you may need, which you might have to ask for and the limitations of STD testing.

If you're sexually active, you've probably heard the following advice many times - use protection and make sure you and your partners receive routine STD testing - this is particularly applicable for those with multiple partners or those entering a new relationship.

Despite CDC guidelines to the contrary, not all doctors order routine screening tests for STDs. Furthermore, not all doctors order the same battery of tests for routine STD testing. So even if you ask your doctor to test you for everything, this doesn't mean that you or your partner will be screened for or clear of all STDs.

The only way to fully protect yourself against STDs is to abstain from sex. Private MD Labs recognizes that this is not a practical option for many people and offers the following advice for those that wish to remain sexually active and to use routine STD testing as an important tool in managing health risks. The follow information will help clarify what kinds of STD tests are important and how to ensure you get them.

Basic tests for the sexually active
For women, basic tests include a Pap smear and HIV test A Pap smear is the first step to ensure the sexual health of women - it is a procedure that collects cells from your cervix to test for cancer or precancerous changes. Pap smears are recommended for women who are age 21 and older or no later than three years after a woman's first intercourse. Of course, your physician may recommend specific STD tests based upon findings of the pelvic exam or Pap smear.

Human papillomavirus (HPV), an infection that can be transmitted even when a person doesn't have symptoms, is a condition caused by one of a group of more than 100 related HPVs. Some of the viruses cause cervical cancer while others cause genital warts. At least 50 percent of sexually active men and women will acquire an HPV infection within their lives, and that number jumps to 80 percent of women by age 50.

HPV infection is the most important risk factor for developing cervical cancer. Women over age 30 may choose to receive a Pap test (to test for cervical cancer) every three years along with a human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA test. The HPV test is also collected with a brushing from the cervical canal. Women with both a negative Pap test and a negative HPV DNA test are at low risk of developing significant precancerous changes of the cervix over the next three years.

No HPV test is available for men with the exception of visual inspection or biopsy of genital warts if they are present.

Girls and women ages 9 to 26 can help prevent HPV infection by receiving the HPV vaccine. This vaccine protects against the two strains that cause 70 percent of cervical cancers and the two strains that cause 90 percent of genital warts.

For men and women, the CDC recommends yearly HIV testing if you are at risk of infection - simply stated, if you've had unprotected sex with more than one sexual partner since your last screening.

For men, the basic test is an HIV test
Other than HIV testing, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines don't suggest routine STD screening if you don't have any symptoms, unless your sexual practices include having sex with men. Despite this formal recommendation, if you are a man who has sex with multiple female partners, in addition to screening for HIV, testing for syphilis, Chlamydia and gonorrhea is a great idea. HIV and syphilis can be life-threatening if untreated, and Chlamydia and gonorrhea can put you at greater risk of acquiring HIV and other STDs. Furthermore, well informed women may prefer a sexual relationship with a man who is responsible enough to be tested.

For symptomatic men and women
Also see your doctor for STD testing if you have any signs or symptoms such as a penile or vaginal discharge, genital sores, blisters, ulcerations or warts. Females with abdominal pain or fever along with a discharge may indicate pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) - an STD-related condition that can cause infertility in women. Talk to your doctor about your concerns and what tests you'd like or need. Don't assume that during an annual exam or Pap smear that you're also receiving STD testing. This will not be the case routinely. If you think you need STD testing, you must request it from your doctor or order the tests yourself from Private MD Labs. The following discussions elaborate on specific STDs and indications for testing.

Specific STDs - more tests, procedures and indications

Gonorrhea and Chlamydia
Approximately 80 percent of women and 50 percent of men diagnosed with Chlamydia don't have symptoms at the time of diagnosis.

If you are a sexually active girl or woman and at risk of STDs - for example you are having sex with a new partner or multiple partners - get screened annually for gonorrhea and Chlamydia. If untreated, these infections can cause PID in women. Gonorrhea and Chlamydia can also significantly increase your risk of acquiring other STDs like HIV. Likewise, If you are a man who has sex with men or with multiple females partners, get tested for these infections at least annually.

Gonorrhea and Chlamydia screening is either done through a urine test or through a swab inside the penis in men or from the inside of the cervix in women. The sample is then analyzed in a laboratory. The urine test, while less invasive, is highly accurate and will detect infections soon after exposure.

Syphilis, hepatitis and HIV Request HIV, syphilis and hepatitis testing if you:

• Are concerned about possible exposure
• Have had more than one sexual partner since your last screening
• Are concerned that your one partner may have had sex with others
• Use IV drugs
• Are a man who has sex with men
• Note that if you test positive for gonorrhea or Chlamydia, you're at greater risk of other STDs such as syphilis, HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C and should get tested for these infections as well.

Syphilis test
Your doctor tests you for syphilis by taking either a blood sample or a swab from any genital sores you might have. The sample is examined in a laboratory.

HIV and hepatitis
A blood sample is taken to test for HIV and hepatitis B and C. It's possible that you may test negative for syphilis, HIV and hepatitis if you've only just recently acquired the infections. If you or your doctor suspects this is the case, you may need to be retested at a later date. Talk with your Private MD counselor or your doctor about your concerns.

Finally, consider vaccinations for hepatitis A and B. You can prevent these infections by receiving the vaccines. At present, no vaccine is available for hepatitis C.

Genital herpes
What most refer to as herpes is actually family of socially transmitted diseases caused by the herpes simplex viruses type 1 (HSV-1 cold sores) and type 2 (HSV-2 genital herpes). Herpes greatest health threat in the neonatal period and are life-threatening to the newborn.

Health care providers can diagnose genital herpes by the following:

• During an office visit, visual inspection if the outbreak is typical,
• During an office visit, by taking a fluid sample from the blister (early stage of sore) and testing it in a laboratory, and
• If the diagnosis is being made shortly after the first outbreak presents, herpes simplex can be diagnosed by a simple blood test, which detects IgM antibodies to HSV-1 or HSV-2 infection.
• Between outbreaks, HSV infections can be diagnosed by a simple blood test, which detects IgG antibodies to HSV-1 or HSV-2 infection.

There is no treatment that can cure herpes, but antiviral medications can shorten and prevent outbreaks during the period of time the person takes the medication. In addition, daily suppressive therapy for symptomatic herpes can reduce transmission to partners.

Genital ulcer diseases can occur in both male and female genital areas that are covered or protected by a latex condom, as well as in areas that are not covered. Correct and consistent use of latex condoms can reduce the risk of genital herpes.

Persons with herpes should abstain from sexual activity with uninfected partners when lesions or other symptoms of herpes are present. It is important to know that even if a person does not have any symptoms he or she can still infect sex partners. Sex partners of infected persons should be advised that they may become infected and they should use condoms to reduce the risk. In fact, you can be exposed to these viruses through genital to genital or mouth to genital contact, not just through intercourse.

Sex partners can seek testing to determine if they are infected with HSV. A positive HSV-2 blood test most likely indicates a genital herpes infection.

What do you suggest to someone considering having sex with a new partner or who may be at risk of an STD?

If you can't trust a partner not to give you an STD, you may not want to have sex with that person. You can ask them to be tested for gonorrhea, Chlamydia, HIV, syphilis, herpes and hepatitis, but negative tests for these may mean the infection is just in too early of a stage to detect. Also, HPV testing is limited - men can't be tested unless they have visible warts, and HPV testing generally isn't recommended for women younger than 30.

If you decide to have sex, use condoms. Condoms help protect you against life-threatening infections like HIV. However, condoms don't fully protect you against every STD. For example, condoms may not cover all of the skin that might contain an HPV or herpes virus, so the condoms may reduce, but not eliminate, the chance of such a virus being transmitted to you. If you have sex, you put yourself at some risk even with the most thorough testing and condom use, and you have to accept that risk.

What's the next step if a person tests positive for an STD?

If you test positive for an STD, the next step is to consider further testing and then to get treatment as recommended by your doctor. In addition, inform any partners. Your partners need to be evaluated and treated, because you can pass some infections back and forth. We invite you to call 877-283-7882 to speak to a professional counselor.