Sexually transmitted diseases are very common. STD rates have been steadily increasing across the country for years. Dr. Naval Parikh has 10 years of experience in treating STDs and getting people back to a healthy life. Here he will give a complete guide on STD testing, treatment. Let’s begin!
What is STD?
STD stands for Sexually Transmitted Disease. STDs are diseases that spread through sex (oral and anal) and skin-to-skin contact with someone infected by an STD.
Most of the time, you can’t tell if you’re infected because STD symptoms don’t show up right away in most cases or they might be mistaken as something else. STDs can affect your health, fertility and cause problems during pregnancy.
STD Causes
There are many STD causes. Some STD cases can be treated with medication, while some STD cases will require medical treatment to cure the patient. Let’s look at some of the most common STD causes.
- Can be spread through sexual contact.
- Transmission is possible with or without the use of condoms.
- Can be transmitted from mother to child during pregnancy.
- Can be contracted through sharing needles.
- Spread through skin-to-skin contact during oral, vaginal, or anal sex.
STD Symptoms
STD Symptoms include:
- Pain during urination or sex
- Unusual discharge from your penis, vagina, anus, mouth (throat)
- Itching and burning around genitals, anus, mouth or on urinating area.
STD signs also include painful intercourse for women. STD symptoms can be very mild or even non-existent, but this does not mean that you do not have an STD. Asymptomatic STDs are quite common and untreated STD cases may lead to complications in the future.
What is STD Testing?
STD Testing is done to find STDs by detecting the presence of STD infection in the body. STD testing can be performed on blood, urine or tissue sample depending upon the type of STD test required. STD tests are done to find the STD infection so that it can be treated as soon as possible.
Types of STD Testing
Let’s take a look at STD testing in detail.
Chlamydia Testing
Chlamydia STD is very common STD. CDC estimates that there are more than three million new cases of Chlamydia reported each year in the United States alone.
This STD infects both men and women easily through sexual contact with an infected person. It’s important to get tested for Chlamydia because it can lead to long-term health problems if left untreated.
A Chlamydia STD test is done by taking urine or vaginal swab sample and testing it in the lab for Chlamydia bacterium (the STD germ). A blood test may also be performed to confirm infection in some cases.
Gonorrhea Testing
Another STD very common is Gonorrhea, which has seen a steady rise in the past few years. This STD can infect both men and women easily through sexual contact with an infected person.
It’s important to get tested for gonorrhea because it might lead to long-term health problems if untreated or inadequately treated at an early stage of STD infection.
Gonorrhea STD test is done by taking urine or vaginal swab sample and testing it in the lab for the gonorrheal bacterium (the STD germ). A blood test may also be performed to confirm infection in some cases.
Hepatitis B Testing
Hepatitis B is an STD transmitted through contact with infected blood, semen or other bodily fluids. It can also be passed from a mother to her infant during childbirth.
Hepatitis B STD test detects the hepatitis B virus in your body through testing either your blood or saliva sample for the presence of hepatitis B antibodies (which are produced by your immune system in response to STD infection).
Hepatitis B STD test is done by taking a blood or saliva sample and testing it for hepatitis b antibodies. A liver function test may also be performed at the same time during this STD test to check if you have any problems with your liver.
Herpes Testing
Herpes STD is usually mild or without STD symptoms. It’s important to get tested for herpes because you can infect your sexual partner(s) even if STD doesn’t show STD symptoms in most cases.
This STD test detects the presence of the Herpes-Simplex Virus (HSV), which causes genital herpes infection, through testing either your blood or tissue sample for herpes antibodies.
Herpes STD test is done by taking a blood or skin swab sample and testing it for herpes simplex antibodies (which are produced in response to STD infection).
Hepatitis C Testing
Hepatitis C STD is a liver STD. Hepatitis C STD test detects the hepatitis c virus in your blood through testing either your blood or saliva sample for the presence of hepatitis c antibodies (which are produced by your immune system in response to STD infection).
Hepatitis C STD test is done by taking a blood or saliva sample and testing it for hepatitis c antibodies.
HIV Tests
HIV STD infection is a life-threatening STD. Early diagnosis and treatment can help you live a longer, healthier life as well as reduce the risk of HIV transmission to your sexual partners. There are three types of HIV tests available: Antibody test (which detects antibodies formed in response to HIV), Nucleic Acid Tests (NATs) (which detects HIV directly) and Viral Load (VL) test.
HIV STD test is done by taking a blood sample and testing it for the presence of antibodies against HI Virus, which are produced in response to STD infection.
NATs tests use fluid from your lymph nodes or other body parts to detect the amount of virus present in your blood. VL test measures the amount of virus in your blood by counting how many copies of HIV you have per milliliter (ml) of fluid.
HPV Test
HPV STD infection is the most common STD in men and women. Many people don’t experience STD symptoms or they might mistake their STD symptoms for something else like razor burn, pimples, etc.
The HPV test detects human papillomavirus (HPV) through testing either your urine sample or tissue biopsy of the affected area to check if you have HPV infection or not.
HPV STD test is done by taking a urine sample and testing it for the presence of human papillomavirus through DNA sequencing (which detects genetic material from the STD germ).
Syphilis Tests
Syphilis STD test detects syphilis infection through testing either your blood or saliva sample for the presence of mercury (Hg) by measuring the speed at which Hg moves. This STD test is also called an RPR Test, VDRL Test or Rapid Plasma Reagin (RPR) test.
Syphilis STD tests are done by taking either a blood or saliva sample and testing it for the presence of mercury (Hg) by measuring the speed at which Hg moves. STD tests can detect syphilis even if you don’t have STD symptoms.
Trichomonas Testing
Trichomoniasis STD is a common STD in both men and women. STD test detects Trichomonas vaginalis, which causes trichomoniasis STD, through testing either your urine sample or swab from the vagina/urethra to check if you have this STD infection or not.
STD tests for trichomoniasis are done by taking either urine or vaginal/urethral swab sample and testing it for the presence of Trichomonas vaginalis. STD tests can detect trichomoniasis even if you don’t have STD symptoms.
How Will I Know What STD Tests I Need?
STD tests that you need will depend on your STD symptoms and sexual history. Your doctor or a lab technician can help you find out what STD test is appropriate for you. STD tests that you need will depend on your STD symptoms and sexual history. Your doctor or a lab technician can help you find out what STD test is appropriate for you.
Plus you can contact Dr. Naval Parikh for STD testing and treatment. STD testing and treatment are available at Dr. Naval Parikh’s STD Clinic in Deerfield Beach, Florida, USA.
For more information, please contact:
Dr. Naval Parikh Clinic:
Address: 1 West Sample Road, Suite 201. Deerfield Beach, Florida. 33064.
Phone: (954) 782-3170
