STD Testing and Symptoms

STD Testing and Why it is Important

The need for a regular STD test is something that many people do not understand. In the medical world, it is important to regularly screen for diseases that can cause serious illnesses. In fact, if a person did not have a regular exam and instead relied on their own judgment, they could be putting themselves at risk for many different types of diseases. It is far better to get routine screenings, one time every year, than it is to skip the chances of catching a disease just because you did not feel like checking for an STD.

In general, when somebody says they do not know what STD they have been screened for, it actually means that they do not know what they might have been screened for. Many people automatically assume that when a Pap smear or blood test was taken, or a pelvic exam was done at a checkup, they are covered. Unfortunately, many doctors do not do STD testing consistently throughout a year, and only part of it during a year. If you were to go to your doctor for a routine exam, such as Pap smears, only to discover that you do not have any screenings scheduled, you could end up getting treated for something you had no plans for, and you could end up with a serious condition that could put you in a life threatening danger.

When you find that you need urgent STD testing, there are a few things that you can do. The first thing that you can do is talk to your doctor about an STD test that would be convenient for you. There are several over-the-counter medications that can be used in the event that a woman’s vaginal discharge is yellow or gray, and they can also be used for men if their penis has a whitish appearance. There are a few clinics that offer STD tests on site, so this option is often available for those who cannot go out to get tested at a clinic. However, if you do not know where a clinic is located, or do not feel comfortable asking your doctor for an STD test at his office, you can always schedule an urgent STD test at a local urgent care center.

In order to save time when you are preparing for an STD test, it is helpful to know how STD tests work. A health care provider will take a sample of your vaginal discharge or semen from the inside of your vagina or urethra with a cotton swab and then send it to a laboratory. Once the lab receives the samples, they will determine what the virus is. Depending on the results, the doctor will either give you a prescription to treat the infection, tell you how to avoid getting the infection in the future, or offer some sort of instruction on how to treat the symptoms that you currently have. Some people may be given an antibiotic, while others may receive some sort of treatment for their condition. While some people are able to completely cure their infection on their own, there are others whose infections are so serious that they need ongoing treatment.

When you go for a sti test at home, one of the first things the medical professional will do is perform a semen analysis, to see if you have an STD or not. For men, an STD test is more likely to detect testicular cancer or prostatitis, although they are not the only diseases which could be the reason for irregular periods. Women, however, can also experience unusual blood tests or unexplained vaginal bleeding, so if you experience any of these symptoms, you should seriously consider having yourself tested. You should remember, however, that the only time you will be allowed to get an STD test is if your physician believes that you have some sort of serious disease such as gonorrhea or genital herpes. An STD test is not recommended for young children, and those who smoke or have multiple sex partners should also avoid such testing.

One of the most common STD symptoms is a sudden onset of sores in the genital area, usually around the vulva or anus. Sometimes these sores appear on the thighs, but often they appear on the vulva only, on the outer portion of the genitals. The sores may become blisters that ooze or become filled with fluid, and they may be green, red, white, fleshy, or even bloody-looking. If you experience any of these STD symptoms for a prolonged period of time, you should contact your doctor right away. Many of the STD infections can be transmitted by the skin, so you should keep your genitals clean and dry at all times to reduce the chances of contracting an STD.