If you’re sexually lively, one of the crucial necessary things you can do to protect yourself and your sexual partners is get screened usually for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) or tested for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) if you’re experiencing any unusual symptoms.
Sexually transmitted infections and diseases are quite common. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said that in 2021, greater than 2.5 million cases of STIs were reported. However the actual number is probably going higher. That’s because many STIs don’t cause any symptoms, so many individuals don’t know they’ve one. The excellent news is that STIs and STDs are treatable, and many are curable.
Below, we’ll explain when and why you should get tested for STIs and STDs. We’ll also go over where to get tested, the differing types of tests, how testing works and what your treatment options could also be if you need them.
When, how often and who should get tested for STIs and STDs
According to the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), screening recommendations for sexually transmitted infections will depend on what sort of infection you’re being screened for, your age, sex, current medical situation, personal history, and your current and previous sexual intercourse.
Nevertheless it’s also helpful to speak together with your doctor about when screening or testing is sensible. Depending in your unique medical history or risk aspects, your doctor may recommend following additional screening guidelines from organizations just like the CDC or the Minnesota Department of Health. For instance, each of those organizations recommend stricter testing guidelines for STIs like syphilis while pregnant.
Screening recommendations for gonorrhea and chlamydia
Currently, the USPSTF doesn’t recommend testing for men, as more research is required to determine the advantages and possible drawbacks of testing. Women who must be tested include:
- Women ages 15 to 24, including pregnant women, should get tested for chlamydia and gonorrhea every 12 months
- Women 25 and older, including pregnant women, should get tested for chlamydia and gonorrhea yearly in the event that they have previously had an STI, have a partner who tested positive for an STI, in the event that they have latest or multiple sexual partners, or in the event that they don’t consistently use protection in the event that they’re not in a monogamous relationship
Screening recommendations for human papillomavirus (HPV)
Screening for HPV may be done concurrently a Pap test, and is really useful:
- Every three years for ladies ages 21 to 65 during a screening for cervical cancer only
- Every five years for ladies ages 30 to 65 while screening for high-risk HPV (hrHPV) alone
- Every five years for ladies ages 30 to 65 while screening for each cervical cancer and hrHPV
- Every three years for ladies ages 21 to 65 who’re in danger for cervical cancer due to exposure to HPV during sexual activity
- For girls 21 to 65 years old with certain risk aspects similar to HIV, a compromised immune system, and women who’ve had treatment for precancerous lesions or cervical cancer
Testing isn’t currently really useful for ladies younger than 21, women over 65 who’ve been adequately tested over time, and women who’ve had a hysterectomy. Routine testing for men isn’t currently really useful, and screening is simply really useful for men who show signs or symptoms of HPV.
Screening recommendations for hepatitis B and C
Although hepatitis A may be sexually transmitted, the USPSTF doesn’t currently have testing recommendations for it. But there are testing recommendations for hepatitis B (HBV) and C (HCV):
- Regular testing for HBV is really useful for those at increased risk. This includes:
- Individuals who weren’t vaccinated against HBV as infants
- People born in countries which have high occurrences of HBV
- Individuals who have HBV
- Individuals who have a sexual partner who has HBV
- Individuals who use injectable drugs
- Men who’ve sex with men
- Testing for HCV is really useful for the next:
- People ages 18 to 79, including pregnant women, must be tested at the very least once of their lives
- People who find themselves at an increased risk, like those for HBV, must be tested usually
Screening recommendations for herpes simplex virus (HSV)
Routine screening for HSV is just not currently really useful for individuals who don’t have any signs, symptoms or history with it, however it continues to be really useful for:
- People of any age who request testing due to signs, symptoms or history with HSV
- Individuals who have HIV or other immunosuppressive conditions
Screening recommendations for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
Regular screening for HIV isn’t really useful for most individuals, but is really useful for:
- People ages 15 to 65 must be tested at the very least once of their lives
- Repeat screenings are really useful for men who’ve sex with men, individuals who have unprotected sex, and individuals who use injectable drugs
Screening recommendations for syphilis
Screening recommendations differ for pregnant women and adolescents, and adults who aren’t pregnant:
- Adolescents and adults must be tested annually in the event that they’re at higher risk of infection, similar to:
- Individuals who have a sexual partner who has syphilis
- Individuals who use injectable drugs
- Men who’ve sex with men
- Pregnant women must be tested as early of their pregnancy as possible
Screening for STIs if you’re not experiencing symptoms
Many STIs don’t have symptoms, so you may not know you need to get screened. But there are some instances where you might want to get screened to put your mind relaxed:
- If you think you’ve been exposed to an STI
- If you’ve had unprotected sex
- If you have sex with latest or multiple partners
If you’re in a long-term, monogamous relationship where you and your partner were each tested before starting your relationship, you may not need to be tested for STIs. But when neither of you were tested before you began your relationship, it could be helpful to get screened just to be on the protected side.
Testing for STDs if you start experiencing symptoms
When symptoms start, an STI is taken into account an STD. If you start to notice symptoms like unusual discharge, burning when you pee, or your genitals start itching or change into irritated, you should get tested for an STD. Symptoms of STDs may be confused with symptoms of one other condition, like a urinary tract infection (UTI) or yeast infection, so testing is the one way to know exactly what’s happening.
How STI and STD tests work
There isn’t one test for all STIs and STDs. Each has its own test, and your doctor can assist you determine what you must be tested for. Even when you don’t have symptoms, it’s necessary to get tested if you think you’ve been exposed. And since some STIs and STDs are so similar, you could also be tested for a number of different infections.
- Blood test – A sample of blood is collected out of your arm or a finger prick, and analyzed in a lab. Typically, blood tests are used to diagnose HIV, herpes, hepatitis and syphilis.
- Swab test – During this test, your doctor will use a swab to take a sample out of your cervix, urethra, throat or rectum. Swab tests are used to diagnose gonorrhea, chlamydia, herpes, trichomoniasis and HPV. There are also cheek swabs that may be used to test for HIV.
- Urine test – This sort of test analyzes your urine sample in a lab and may be used to diagnose chlamydia and gonorrhea for ladies and men, and trichomoniasis, normally for men.
- Blister or sore swab – If you develop symptoms like blisters or sores, your doctor can take a swab sample. Blister and sore swabs are typically used to diagnose syphilis and herpes.
- Physical exam – A care provider will examine your genitals for sores, warts, rashes, discharge or irritation. Depending on what they observe, they could order further testing.
STD test results differ based on the variety of infection you’re tested for and the variety of test you get. Some tests take as little as 1-3 days, while others can take a number of weeks before you get results.
Where to get tested for STIs and STDs
Whether you’re getting screened at a prenatal visit, during your annual checkup or testing if you think you’ve been exposed, STI and STD testing is quick, easy and confidential. Testing may be done at your doctor’s office, however it’s necessary to check your insurance, if you have it, to see your co-pay and what your plan covers. Testing may additionally be available at a neighborhood lab, local health clinics or community clinics, where it could be low price and even free.
STD testing through your local primary care clinic
At HealthPartners, we provide convenient, quick and easy testing for STIs and STDs at any of our HealthPartners or Park Nicollet OB-GYN and primary care clinics within the Twin Cities, Central Minnesota and western Wisconsin, in addition to at our HealthPartners Health Center for Women and Park Nicollet Women’s Center.
We provide screening for chlamydia, gonorrhea, HSV (herpes) and trichomoniasis through Virtuwell, our 24/7 online clinic. All you have to do is answer a number of questions on your symptoms and medical history, then one in all our certified nurse practitioners will send a diagnosis and a personalised treatment plan. And if a prescription is required, we will send it directly to your pharmacy of selection.
There are at-home testing options for STIs and STDs that range from testing for probably the most common STIs like chlamydia, gonorrhea and trichomoniasis, to testing for HIV, syphilis and hepatitis C. These kits can be found at drug stores, clinics, pharmacies and online.
The at-home test kits that test for just a number of STIs may be relatively inexpensive, however the kits that test for more STIs and STDs may be expensive. Generally, at-home testing could also be costlier than other options as most insurance providers don’t cover at-home test kits.
Through Virtuwell, we provide at-home test kits for ladies to test for chlamydia and gonorrhea. With the kit, you’ll collect a sample with a vaginal swab, send it in to our lab and get ends in just a number of days after your sample is received.
Treatment options if you’re diagnosed with an STI or STD
Treatment options vary for STIs and STDs. Some are treatable and curable, while others aren’t curable, but able to be effectively managed so you can live a protracted, healthy life. Listed here are the treatment options available for probably the most commonly reported STIs within the U.S.
Sexually transmitted bacterial infection treatment
Bacterial infections like chlamydia, gonorrhea, bacterial vaginosis and trichomoniasis may be treated with either a one-shot antibiotic, or a course of antibiotics. It’s really useful to abstain from sex for seven days after ending treatment, and to retest after three months to make sure the infection has cleared up.
Hepatitis B (HBV) treatment
If acute HBV is diagnosed and a care provider determines it’s temporary and will go away by itself, treatment probably won’t be needed. Rest, loads of fluids and proper nutrition must be enough while the body fights the virus by itself.
If chronic HBV is diagnosed, it’s normally lifelong but may be managed with antiviral medication and injections designed to fight the infection and reduce the chance of more serious health issues later in life.
Hepatitis C (HCV) treatment
Like HBV, HCV may be diagnosed as acute or chronic, but unlike HBV, there isn’t a vaccine. If diagnosed with acute HCV, it’s curable in greater than 95% of the cases when treated with specific antiviral medication.
Chronic HCV used to require weekly injections and medications, but now it’s normally curable with oral medications taken day by day for 2-6 months.
Herpes simplex (HSV) treatment
There isn’t a cure for herpes, but it could possibly be managed to prevent or shorten outbreaks with using each day antiviral medications. The antiviral medication may reduce the prospect of it being spread to others.
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) treatment
Treatment for HIV is known as antiretroviral therapy (ART). HIV isn’t curable, but the earlier consistent treatment is began with ART, the higher the probabilities to get the virus under control to the purpose where the virus can change into virtually undetectable within the blood.
Human papillomavirus (HPV) treatment
There isn’t a treatment for HPV. The body’s immune system will normally clear the virus by itself, inside six months to two years. In a small variety of cases, HPV may cause other health complications like genital warts or cancer, where the treatment options vary widely.
Syphilis treatment
Syphilis is a bacterial infection that may be cured with antibiotics. Depending on the stage of the infection, doctors might recommend one shot of penicillin within the early stages, three shots within the later stages or intravenous (IV) penicillin if syphilis affects the nervous system.
Pubic lice treatment
One treatment with an over-the-counter lotion or shampoo that has 1% permethrin or pyrethrin may be used to clear up pubic lice. If over-the-counter medications don’t work, a physician can prescribe something stronger.
Getting tested for STIs and STDs is very important in your health and well-being
It’s necessary to be open and honest together with your doctor about your sexual history. During your annual physical or visit to the gynecologist, if you think you’ve been exposed to an STI or STD, talk together with your doctor about your testing options, even when you don’t have symptoms.
There may be nothing embarrassing or shameful about testing for STIs and STDs. If you do test positive, you can start treatment immediately and avoid potentially serious health issues or spreading an infection to your partner in the longer term.