The importance of sexually transmitted disease screening, what are the tests?

It is important to be screened for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Especially if you have an active sex life, have had unprotected sex, or have sex with an infected person.

If not treated as soon as possible, venereal disease can increase the risk of infertility and developing certain types of cancer. Here's everything you need to know about sexually transmitted disease screening.

Why do you need screening for sexually transmitted diseases?

Sexually transmitted diseases or sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are diseases that can be transmitted through sexual contact, including from vaginal penetration, oral sex, and anal sex.

Venereal disease can be transmitted between men and women, between women, and between men.

A pregnant or breastfeeding woman can also pass on a sexual infection to her baby.

In addition, certain types of venereal disease make you more susceptible to HIV infection.

You can further consult with your doctor to get tested for sexually transmitted diseases, such as HIV, by means of a screening test.

If you think you need an STI screening test, you need to specifically ask your doctor.

Screening tests are very important because sexually transmitted diseases often do not show any symptoms.

As a result, you don't realize that you have been infected until the disease has gotten worse.

Types of screening (tests) for detection of venereal diseases

The following are some screening guidelines for some of the most common sexually transmitted infections (STDs):

1. STD screening for chlamydia and gonorrhea

Sexually transmitted disease screening for chlamydia and gonorrhea is recommended once a year.

You are advised to undergo screening, if:

• You are a sexually active woman and are under 25 years of age.
• You are a woman over 25 years of age and at risk of developing venereal disease (for example, you have changed sexual partners or have had more than one sexual partner).
• You are a man who has had sex with other men.
• You have HIV.
• You have engaged in coercive sexual activity.

Screening for STDs specifically for chlamydia and gonorrhea is done through a urine test or a usab test (swab test) on the penis or on the uterus.

The sample from this test will then be further analyzed in the laboratory.

2. Screen for HIV, syphilis and hepatitis

It is recommended that HIV-specific STI screening be carried out at least once in a lifetime, including in check-up hospital routine starting from the age of 15-65 years.

People who are around 15 years of age or less are required to undergo screening if they are at particularly high risk for a sexually transmitted infection (STI).

You are screened for HIV every year if you are at high risk for infection.

The following groups of people need to be screened for sexually transmitted diseases such as HIV, syphilis and hepatitis:

• Being diagnosed positive for other venereal diseases means you are at greater risk for other diseases.
• Having had more than one sexual partner since the last screening.
• Using injectable narcotics.
• You are a man and have had sex with other men.
• You are pregnant or planning a pregnancy.
• You have engaged in coercive sexual activity.

Syphilis screening is done with a blood test or swab test from a sample of your genital tissue.

HIV and hepatitis screening requires only a blood test.

3. Screen for sexually transmitted infections for genital herpes

Genital herpes or oral herpes is a viral infection that is easily transmitted even if the person is not showing any symptoms.

To date, there is no specific sexually transmitted disease screening to detect herpes.

However, your doctor can do a biopsy (tissue sample) of a wart or abrasion to check for herpes.

This sample is then further analyzed in the laboratory. When you have a negative STI screening test doesn't mean you don't have herpes.

Usually, doctors recommend that you do a blood test.

It's just that, the results of these tests can not be certain because it depends on the level of sensitivity of the test and the stage of infection you are experiencing.

There is still some chance of error in the results of screening sexually transmitted infections for herpes.

4. HPV sexually transmitted disease screening

Some types of human papillomavirus (HPV) can cause uterine cancer, while other types can cause genital warts.

People who are infected with HPV may have no signs and symptoms at all.

The virus generally goes away within 2 years of first contact. Sexually transmitted infection screening for HPV for men is not yet available.

According to the Mayo Clinic, usually HPV in men is diagnosed from a visual examination by a doctor or a biopsy of genital warts.

Meanwhile, for women, screening for sexually transmitted diseases that needs to be done is:

Pap test

Tests to check for abnormal cell growth in the uterus.

Pap test recommended to be done by women every three years starting at the age of 21-65 years.

HPV test

The HPV test is usually done as a follow-up for women aged 30 years and over after doing it pap test.

HPV test schedule can be done once every 5 years if pap test previously classified as normal.

Women aged 21-30 years will be advised to have an HPV test if they show abnormal results pap test last.

HPV has also been linked to cancer of the vulva, vagina, penis, anus, and cancers of the mouth and throat.

The HPV vaccine can protect women and men from certain types of HPV infection, but is only effective if given before starting sexual activity.

If the STD screening is positive, can venereal disease be treated?

For some types of sexually transmitted infections, treatment may involve regular consumption of prescription antibiotics or by injection by a doctor.

Certain diseases, such as herpes or HIV / AIDS, cannot be cured.

However, the condition can be managed with long-term medication and therapy to prevent the infection from spreading to other parts of the body or spreading to other people.

In addition, be open with your partner about your sexual disease.

Your partner also needs to get tested because he may catch the infection from you or vice versa.

Always use a condom when having sex to avoid spreading the infection further.

Be aware of every change that occurs in your body, no matter how small it is.

Do not hesitate to be screened for STDs. Doctors can also provide follow-up consultations on how to reduce the risk of transmitting sexual diseases in the future.

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