STD testing Los Angeles is available either free of cost or at a very low price. This is because the idea is to encourage more and more people to take a step toward sexual health and well-being. There is a big taboo surrounding diseases that transmit sexually. This is exactly why you may not hear people talk a lot about the conditions.
This lack of comfort to talk about STDs is also the cause why people only know about HIV AIDS as a prevalent disease transmitted sexually. However, the fact is that there exist different types of STDs. Each STD comes with its own symptoms, risks, prevention and cures. So it becomes significant to learn about the common STDs and all the important details relating to the same.
The different STDs:
It is only with knowledge and awareness that one can make the right decision about STD tests that he or she should take. Following is some important information about the most common STDs:
Chlamydia and Gonorrhea
There is national guidance available for annual screening:
- Women with a sexually active life and who are under 25 years of age.
- Women having involvement with multiple partners and below 25 years are at a higher risk.
- Men in sexual relationships with men
- HIV patients
- Transgender women in sexual relations with men
- People engaging in sexual behavior against their wishes
The above is a list of people who should definitely take the test for Chlamydia and Gonorrhea. Both diseases are bacterial infections and have similar testing methods. In the Chlamydia and Gonorrhea testing using a urine test or swab, healthcare professionals check people for chlamydia and gonorrhea. Swab collection takes place from the cervix in women and the penis in men. After that, the material examination is there in a lab. Screening is crucial because, in the absence of symptoms, you may not be aware that you have an infection.
HIV, syphilis and hepatitis
HIV testing once a year is the usual recommendation for people between 15 to 65 years of age. People with a higher risk of STI can be either young teens or older adults. So they must definitely take the HIV test on a regular basis.
For hepatitis C the best approach is to take the test beginning at 18 years of age until 80 years of age. There do exist vaccinations for hepatitis. The vaccination administration usually takes place at birth but can also take place at a later age.
Anyone with a higher risk factor should take the test. They can have:
- Infection symptoms
- Positive test results for some other STIs, therefore increasing the risk of HIV, syphilis and hepatitis
- Sexual relations with multiple partners
Commonly the syphilis test requires either blood or a swab from genital sores. However, just the blood sample is sufficient for HIV and hepatitis.
Genital herpes
In general, healthcare professionals only advise genital herpes testing for those who exhibit symptoms or other risk factors. Most herpes patients, however, never show any symptoms and are nevertheless able to spread the infection to others. Your doctor may take a tissue sample or culture and send it to a lab if you have blisters or early ulcers. However, a negative test doesn’t necessarily mean you don’t have herpes, especially if you have symptoms.
Blood tests can also reveal whether you’ve previously had herpes, although the results aren’t always accurate. Some blood tests can enable medical professionals to identify which of the two main herpes virus strains you possess.
HPV
Specific human papillomavirus (HPV) strains bring on cervical cancer. Some other kinds of HPV bring on genital warts. HPV is a condition that may never show any symptoms but a lot of sexually active people contract HPV at some point in time. The virus takes approximately two years and disappears on its own.
For men, routine HPV testing is not advisable. Instead, medical professionals may take the decision of testing men who exhibit symptoms like genital warts. The test takes out the wart and the sample submission to the lab takes place. When testing for HPV in females,
- Pap smear. For females between the ages of 25 and 65, Pap tests are advised every three years to screen the cervix for abnormal cells.
- HPV exam. If prior test results were within the normal range, women between the ages of 25 and 65 should get an HPV test alone or an HPV test in addition to a Pap test every five years.
Bottom line:
The above-mentioned is a list of diseases that spread easily. Apart from there also exist other infections transmitted sexually. The most appropriate approach for STDs is to prevent them with the use of latex condoms. Prevention is just one aspect, you must also be regular with STD tests.
Taking the test on time helps in getting the best treatment at the beginning itself. So, make sure that you are discussing your symptoms and condition in detail with your doctor. Build a comfortable equation with your doctor so that you get the guidance that you need. Only when you are talking about the disease will you be able to make the right choice.
