TD (sexually transmitted diseases) testing is important if you are sexually active. Although some STDs do not exhibit symptoms, you can benefit from Hackensack STD testing, which can detect an STD and prevent associated complications. STD testing will encourage you to protect your sexual health and practice safer sex.
Causes
The common causes of sexually transmitted diseases include viruses, bacteria, and parasites. They are transmitted through body fluids or skin contact, so doctors recommend protection during sexual encounters. That said, the following are risk factors for contracting an STD.
- Unprotected sex
- Injecting drugs and misuse of alcohol
- Sex with multiple partners
- History of STDs
Common sexually transmitted diseases
STDs are usually transmitted from one infected partner to another or from a pregnant infected mother to an unborn baby. The following are the most common STIs:
- Syphilis
- Gonorrhea
- Chlamydia
- HIV/AIDS
- Herpes
- Human papillomavirus (HPV)
Symptoms
Although not all sexually transmitted diseases present systems, if you do show symptoms, they will include the following:
· Unusual penis or vaginal discharge
· Genital, oral, or anal sores
· Pain with sexual intercourse
· Burning sensation when urinating
· Infertility
· Pregnancy complications
What happens during STD testing?
Your specialist will ask about your lifestyle and sexual activity for the past few months. They will look at your medical history and symptoms and order different tests. The tests include blood work, urine tests, and a cervical exam in women.
If you have open sores in your vagina, mouth, or anus, your specialist will take a sample for testing. Depending on the results, your doctor will offer treatment, including antibiotics for diseases like gonorrhea and antiviral medications for HIV or herpes viruses.
Benefits of STD testing
You can reap various benefits from STD testing, but the primary one is the prevention of disease progression. You can prevent serious complications like infertility
when you catch a disease early.
Detect disease early
Some STDs do not exhibit symptoms, and while you think you are safe, they can cause serious complications if left untreated. STD testing can catch these diseases, and your specialist can recommend the most suitable treatment to prevent complications.
Protect your loved ones
Testing sexually transmitted diseases will benefit you, your partner, and others around you. For instance, some diseases are not transmitted through sex but through skin contact. Although you might not have sex with someone, it is possible to transmit the disease unknowingly.
Peace of mind
If you have unprotected sex, you can have doubts about whether you are safe from STDs or not. To quiet your doubts, an STD test will help you with the answers you seek.
The best way to prevent sexually transmitted diseases is to abstain from sex. If that is not possible, practicing safe sex is the only way you can actively protect yourself.
Even though you don’t show symptoms but fit in the risk factors, it is important to get tested. If you are sexually active or have more than one sexual partner, visit All Health Medical Group for STD testing. Call or book an appointment online today and prevent complications from STDs.