What are Sexually Transmitted Diseases?
Sexually transmitted diseases (STD) are diseases which are transmitted through sexual contact. Getting tested for sexually transmitted diseases (STD), and ensuring that any new potential partners do the same is the best way to stay healthy. We know it’s not the easiest topic to discuss, but it is a conversation that could save your life. STD’s, can be contracted through sexual contact from person – to – person in blood, semen, or vaginal and other bodily fluids. STD’s can also be transmitted without sexual contact through blood transfusions, shared needles, or during pregnancy and/or childbirth, when a mother can pass a sexually transmitted disease to her child.
What is included in STD Testing?
STD Testing panel is a simple test done with blood and urine samples and includes all of the most common STDs, including:
- Chlamydia rRNA(U)
- RPR (Syphilis)
- Hep B Surf. Ag w/ rflx. Conf
- HepB Surf. Ab
- HepB Core Total Ab
- Hepatitis C Ab
- HIV 1⁄2 5 GEN
- Gonorrhea rRNA(U)
- Herpes 1 & 2
How are STDs treated?
Once detected, most STDs can be both treated and cured, depending on the type of sexually transmitted disease that a person has contracted. Doctors can prescribe medicines to cure STDs like chlamydia and gonorrhea, but unfortunately, other STDs, like herpes can’t be cured. They can be treated to help lessen the symptoms and prevent them from spreading.
How do you prepare for an STD Panel?
There is no preparation or fasting required for STD testing. Just bring yourself and your insurance card to your appointment.
Why is an STD Panel performed?
Anyone who is sexually active in a non-monogamous relationship or with a new partner should get tested for sexually transmitted diseases. Also, if someone is concerned that they may have been exposed to an STD they should get a complete STD panel. There are roughly 20 million new STD cases in the US every year according to the CDC, with nearly 50% of them occurring in people between the ages of 15-22.
What can you expect during an STD Panel?
An STD Panel consists of both combined blood and urine test that sees the full range of sexually transmitted diseases in your bloodstream. You can expect the same experience as a routine blood and urine test as you would in your physical with a primary care physician.
A blood draw is when a medical professional uses a hypodermic needle to collect blood into vials from a vein in your arm. Typically, they will sterilize the area they wish to stick, you will be asked to make a fist, and then a small pinch will be felt to collect the blood sample.
Urine sample collection usually involves the patient taking a sample cup into the restroom and urinating into it. Sometimes you’ll be asked to leave the specimen in the restroom. Other times you’ll be asked to bring it to the medical tech.
What is the followup and recovery like for an STD Test?
There is no recovery time from the STD test. Follow up would be with a physician to review and interpret your results.
How long does it take to get STD Test results?
STD Test results usually take 4-5 business days.
What are the potential costs for STD Testing?
The costs of STD Testing vary among different labs and by how many tests are chosen in the panel. Ordering a single test such as an HIV test, will be much cheaper than ordering a complete STD panel. Price can range from $15 – 150 for a single test and $300+ for a complete panel with multiple tests.
What are the potential risks for an STD Test?
There are no major risks in getting an STD test. Some experience minor bruising of skin and rare infection from the needle stick by the medical technician.
Are there related tests to an STD Test?
Related STD tests include Syphilis, Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Hep B, Hep C, and HIV testing.
