STD Testing

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Even if you have no symptoms, the only way to know is to get tested.

Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) are infections caused by bacteria, viruses, and parasites that are passed from one person to another by sexual contact. Sexual contact includes vaginal intercourse, anal intercourse, oral-genital contact, skin-to-skin contact in the genital area, kissing, and the use of sex aids such as vibrators. These diseases usually affect the genital area, including the penis or vagina. Examples of STDs are Syphilis, Gonorrhea, Chlamydia, Herpes, Hepatitis B or C, Trichomoniasis, and HIV/AIDS.

STDs affect men and women of all backgrounds and economic status. They are most common in people younger than 25, and the number of people affected by STDs is rising. Sometimes STDs do not cause symptoms, so a person who is infected may not know it and may transfer the infection to a sex partner. When diagnosed and treated early, many STDs can be cured.  Some STDs caused by viruses, such as herpes, HIV, and genital warts, have no cure, but many treatments are available to lessen or avoid complications.

f you are sexually active, have regular tests for STDs. If you think you may have an STD or might have been exposed to an STD, stop sexual activity and get a medical exam. Common symptoms of some STDs include burning or pain when urinating, strange-smelling discharge from the vagina or penis, and rashes, sores, blisters, or growths around the vagina, penis, or rectum.

You should not be embarrassed to seek care or ask for information. STD checks are a part of routine care at most medical practices and clinics. Early diagnosis and treatment can prevent complications and keep you from spreading the disease to your partner. You can get more information and treatment from your healthcare professional, the state health department, or a family planning or STD clinic.
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You're at a higher risk of STDs if:

STDs are spread through oral, anal, and vaginal intercourse. Some STDs, such as HIV, can't be cured. Regardless, getting tested is essential.
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Why get tested?
If you have something, you'll have symptoms, right?
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The majority of STDs out there will show no symptoms, so you might not even know. Your doctor might not be testing you for STDs, so it's important to be informed and ask for these tests.

Chlamydia

Did you know that chlamydia is considered the most common curable STD. It affects the penile urethra in men and the cervix in women.
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Possible symptoms for men:

Possible symptoms for women:

‍How it's performed: A urine sample is taken of your urine or a swab of your genital area.
Keep in mind: If you've had anal or oral intercourse but not vaginal, let your doctor know ahead of time, because urine or vaginal samples may come back negative if you're infected.

Gonorrhea

Along with Chlamydia, gonorrhea is extremely common with 820,000 new infections every year. It's important to get treated for gonorrhea early to avoid serious complications. Gonorrhea can lead to PID (pelvis Inflammatory Disease) and an increase in HIV if left untreated. PID can also lead to infertility, among many other serious complications.

Possible symptoms for men:

Possible symptoms for women:

HIV

HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is the virus that's associated with AIDS. It's an STD that damages the white blood cells which are important in helping your body fight infections.

Transmission: It's transmitted by semen, vaginal secretions, exchange of bodily fluids, blood, and breast milk. While not curable, it's treated by drugs known as highly active , or combined anti-retroviral therapy (ART). These drugs reduce the chance of HIV turning into AIDS.

Some early symptoms of HIV are:

These symptoms normally appear 1-2 months after transmission but can show up as soon as 2 weeks from exposure. Some people experience no symptoms, and you can have Hwithout knowing
While men and women experience many similar symptoms, some women experience pap smears that show cervical dysplasia or other abnormal signs. You could also have PID as well. If you have severe or continual vaginal infections, they could also be a sign of HIV.
Men can experience an ulcer on the penis.
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‍How it's done: A sample of blood.
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Difference Between HIV and AIDS

First, HIV can lead to AIDS, also known as stage 3 HIV. Thanks to different treatment options, people with HIV at any stage can lead long and healthy lives.
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HIV is considered a virus that can cause immune system deterioration. Once contracted, the immune system can't work as well as it should. HIV can be controlled through medication but not cured.
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AIDS, which is acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, is considered a condition that has symptoms that are different from person to person. A person could have different symptoms from the infections they develop from having a damaged immune system.
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AIDS occurs once HIV breaks down a person's immune system.
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HIV doesn't always lead to AIDS, and taking the proper treatment can help prevent that.
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Protecting Against HIV
Always use condoms for anal, vaginal, and oral intercourse.Don't share needles. Be cautious and always assume blood could be infectious. Wear latex gloves and use other barriers for protection against handling or touching blood.
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Get tested for HIV—it's the only way you'll know for sure it's HIV. Then if it's HIV, you can get the proper treatment to prevent the spread to others and take the proper precautions against it turning into AIDS

Herpes

Herpes is a viral STD that comes in 2 forms:  HSV-1 (Herpes Simplex Virus 1) and HSV-2 (Herpes Simplex Virus 2).
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When someone gets a cold sore, that's what's known as HSV-1. HSV-1 is normally only found around the mouth and lips, while HSV-2 is most often found as genital sores. It's possible to transfer herpes from the mouth to genitals and the other way around as well. Herpes isn't curable but its symptoms are manageable with antiviral drugs. It's important to understand the virus can still be spread to others even if you don't have symptoms. Although, when you're showing symptoms, you're more likely to spread the virus. An outbreak can be caused by both internal or external triggers such as stress, illness, or trauma.
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HSV-1 is transferred through the transfer of saliva, vaginal fluid, herpes sores, blisters, and semen. You can get HSV-1 from sharing drinks, kissing, or having oral sex with someone who has it.
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HSV-2 is transferred through vaginal fluid, semen, and any skin-to-skin contact with mucous membranes. If you have HSV-2, you can experience painful blisters and lesions on your upper thighs, anus, or genitals.
Before the blisters appear you can experience body aches, fever, tingling, or pain in your genitals, buttocks, legs, hips, as well as swollen lymph nodes.

Herpes Symptoms Men vs. Women
When you have symptoms, they can first occur around 2 weeks after exposure.
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In men, the sores usually appear on the penis, but can also appear on the buttocks, thighs, and scrotum.
Some men can also have discharge from the urinary tube, and swollen lymph nodes in the pelvis and groin area. You can also experience pain or difficulty urinating as well.

For women, the sores can appear on the outer lips also known as the labia majora, entrance of the vagina, or the inner lips (labia minora). You can also have sores appear on the buttocks, thighs, clitoris, or anus. Some experience watery discharge from their vagina.
Some women who experience symptoms can also have a yeast infection as well. Outbreaks that are recurring in women can be due to pregnancy, menstruation, not eating healthy, or exposure to sunlight.

Testing for Herpes
The only way to know if you have herpes is to get tested.
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How it's done: You'll receive a blood test from your arm.  

Syphilis is an STD that, left untreated, can cause major complications. It's transmitted by having direct contact with syphilis sores which can be on the mouth or genitals. It can be spread by oral, anal, and vaginal intercourse. Condoms can reduce the risk but not completely eliminate the risk of this STD. They appear as small painless sores, which can heal on their own, but you'll still be infected. Syphilis can easily be tested and is treatable.

Symptoms
‍For men is a small ulcer that's reddish-brown, small, and flat. Sometimes the ulcer can be found in the anus, not just the mouth or genitals.
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For women, the ulcer is normally found inside the vagina. The ulcer is normally painless and has no odor.

Syphilis Testing
Syphilis testing is done by drawing blood. If you're pregnant, you'll especially want to be tested for syphilis

Trichomoniasis

Trichomoniasis is a common STD that can be misdiagnosed by women as a yeast infection or bacterial vaginosis since the symptoms can be similar. Some of the symptoms can be pain during intercourse, strong odor, frothy discharge, irritation, or itching. Men can get trichomoniasis but normally don't have any symptoms. If you have this STD, you'll want your partner to get treated as well so they don't give it back to you.
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‍Trichomoniasis Testing
The test will be a swab of the infected area or sample of discharge. It tends to be harder to find in men than women.

Hepatitis

Hepatitis is composed of Hepatitis A, B, or C. Hepatitis is transferred in different routes but they can all negatively affect your liver. Hepatitis B is often thought of to be sexually transmitted, but Hepatitis C can be as well. There is a Hepatitis B vaccine, as well as a vaccine for Hepatitis, you can get to protect yourself. Hepatitis B can lead to cirrhosis, liver cancer, and scarring of the liver. Hepatitis A is transferred through food and can cause fever and jaundice.

Testing for Hepatitis
‍A blood test is taken to test for hepatitis. The only way to know if you have hepatitis is to get tested. Hepatitis is curable.

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