STD testing is a medical procedure performed on a person to determine if he or she has a sexually transmitted disease.
A sexually active person especially someone who engages in sex with different partners should subject himself or herself to STD testing regardless of whether symptoms are evident or not. This testing is necessary to prevent spread of the disease and for it to get worse.
Urine and swab samples
A sexually active female or male should be screened for sexually transmitted diseases such as chlamydia and gonorrhea, HIV, syphilis and even of hepatitis. Screening for chlamydia and gonorrhea are advisable for a sexually active girl or woman and a man who have sex with men. STD testing for chlamydia and gonorrhea requires a urine test or by swabbing the inside of the penis or from the cervix of women. The obtained sample is analyzed in a laboratory.
Blood samples and swab from genital sore
Testing for HIV, syphilis and hepatitis can be requested by people who have tested for gonorrhea or chlamydia since these two diseases put you at greater risk of other STDs. People who use intravenous drugs as well as those with multiple partners including men who have sex with men can request testing for HIV, syphilis and hepatitis. Blood samples or a swab from genital sores should be obtained by a doctor when conducting tests for syphilis which is in turn examined in a laboratory. The blood sample is needed when testing for HIV and hepatitis.
Tissue scraping, culture and blood test for herpes
A viral infection such as genital herpes is also an example of a sexually transmitted disease by there are no reliable screening tests or STD testing for this disease. However, a laboratory examination may be performed by the doctor after obtaining a tissue scraping or a culture of blisters or ulcers from a patient. A blood test may help confirm a herpes infection.
Pap test or HPV test
HPV or human papillopmavirus is also a disease that can be obtained by sexually active people. HPV can cause genital warts but some people may be infected with this virus without developing symptoms. HPV can cause cervical cancer that is why women who are sexually active should get tested for Pap test or HPV test. Pap test determines the existence of abnormal cells in the cervix while HPV test involves collection of samples from the cervical canal. No HPV test are available for men.