February 8, 2008, Newsletter Issue #81: Sexually Transmitted Disease Testing Important to Overall Health

Tip of the Week

If you have ever been sexually active, then you are at risk for a sexually transmitted disease (STD). The more sexual partners you have had, the higher your risk.

While there are many types of STDs, there are also reliable tests to determine whether or not you have one. Sexually transmitted disease testing and diagnosis is vital to maintaining your reproductive and overall good health.

Some common STDs and their tests are listed below.

Chlamydia – For women, your doctor will take a cervical swab. For men, your doctor will take a urine or urethral swab.

Gonorrhea - For women, your doctor will take a cervical swab. For men, your doctor will take a urethral swab.

Syphilis – Blood test

HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) infection – Blood test

Genital HPV (Human papillomavirus) infection – For women, yearly Pap tests will diagnose any atypical cells. Further testing would be done to determine if HPV is responsible. For men, there is no similar HPV test available.

Genital Herpes simplex – If herpes is active, a culture is taken and examined under a microscope. If it is not active, a blood test will be performed.

Hepatitis B – Blood test

Hepatitis C – Blood test

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