STI Checks: The Different Types, What You Should Know, and When You Should Get Tested

When should you get an STI Check?

If you are sexually active, especially with multiple partners, you’ve likely been advised to use sexual protection and get tested. In many cases, there are no signs or symptoms.

What are the symptoms of STI ?

-Chlamydia -Gonorrhoea -HPV (Human papillomavirus) -Hepatitis -Syphilis -HIV

What should you do if your STI check is positive?

If you test positive for a sexually transmitted infection, the next step is to consider further testing and contact your doctor to discuss treatment. You should also inform your sex partners.

When Should You Get an STI Check?

If you are sexually active, especially with multiple partners, you’ve likely been advised to use sexual protection and get tested. You might have a sexually transmitted infection (or STI) without knowing it—in many cases there are no signs or symptoms. There is no single answer as to what tests you require, or how often you should receive them. This varies on your age, lifestyle, sexual behaviours, and other risk factors. If you think you might need STI testing, request it from your healthcare professional, and discuss your concerns.

Some well-known STIs and their symptoms are listed below, and this might help you reach a decision if you are unsure about asking for a test:

• Chlamydia. A bacterial infection of the genital tract that might cause painful urination, pain during intercourse, or unusual vaginal discharge.
• Gonorrhoea. A bacterial infection of the genital tract that can also grow in the mouth, throat, eyes, and anus. Symptoms might include a burning sensation when urinating, itching, painful bowel movements or unusually heavy menstrual bleeding.
• HPV. Human papillomavirus might result in small swellings in your genital area, patches of close-together warts, or bleeding with intercourse.
• Hepatitis. The three variants of hepatitis are viral infections of the liver, which can cause anything from fever, fatigue and nausea to jaundice and muscle pain.
• Syphilis. A bacterial infection that affects genitals, skin, and mucous membranes, but might also affect your brain or heart. It might cause enlarged lymph nodes, a rash of red, penny-sized sores over your body, fever, and fatigue. If left untreated, syphilis is serious enough that it may cause numbness, lack of coordination, headaches and even blindness and paralysis.
• HIV. Human immunodeficiency virus, which interferes with your body’s ability to fight off illness. Early-stage symptoms of HIV might include swollen lymph glands, fever and fatigue, rashes, and unexpected weight loss.

If you suspect you have any of these STIs, or are experiencing their symptoms, see your healthcare professional. Timely diagnosis and treatment are important to delay more severe health problems, and to avoid infecting others.

How Are Specific STI Checks Performed?

Testing parameters and methods vary between STIs, with some screening tests being straight forward, and others being less so. For example, you might be recommended certain screening tests based on your age, your sexual lifestyle, or the nature of your sexual partners. Some common tests are outlined below:

• Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea. It is recommended you get screened annually for these STIs if you are under 25 and sexually active, over 25 and at higher risk (such as from having multiple sex partners), or you have been forced to engage in sexual activity against your will. If your partner is a man who also has sex with other men, he should receive an annual screen as well. You will be screened for these infections by taking a urine test or being swabbed inside the cervix or penis. The sample is then analysed in a lab.
• HIV, Syphilis and Hepatitis.  It is recommended that you be tested for HIV at least once as part of routine medical care, if you are between the ages of 13 and 64. If you are at higher risk of infection (such as having unprotected sex with multiple partners), you should get screened annually. Screening for hepatitis C is recommended for everyone born between 1945 and 1965, due to a higher incidence in this age group. If screening shows you have not been exposed, vaccines are available for the more serious variants, A and B. These infections are usually screened by taking a blood sample and examining it in a lab. For syphilis, you might have your genital sores swabbed as well.
• Herpes. No good screening test exists for herpes, and most people with the infection never show symptoms—though they can still transmit the virus to others. Your doctor might take a tissue sample of blisters or ulcers, to examine them in a lab. But even a negative test doesn’t rule out herpes as a cause for your ulceration. Blood tests may help detect past herpes infections, but the results are not always definite, and both false-positive and false-negative results are possible.
• HPV. Many sexually active people become infected with HPV at some point, but never develop symptoms, with the virus typically disappearing within two years. There is no routine screening for men, where the infection is usually diagnosed visually. In women, HPV testing might involve a cervical screening test, recommended every five years for women of reproductive age. If your test is positive, you will be asked to take another in twelve months. Vaccination against HPV exists but is most effective when administered before sexual activity begins.

Certain STIs, such as HIV, chlamydia, and gonorrhoea, can be tested at home. These self-testing kits have been gaining acceptance and popularity, and usually consist of a urine sample or genital swab. You can then send this sample off to a lab for analysis. It should be noted that tests performed yourself may have a higher rate of false-positive results, where the test indicates you have an infection that you really don’t have. If you test positive from a home test, it is best to contact your healthcare professional for a second opinion, or to confirm the test results. If your test is negative, but you believe you are experiencing symptoms, similarly consult your doctor or public health clinic.

What Should You Do if Your STI Check is Positive?

If you test positive for a sexually transmitted infection, the next step is to consider further testing and contact your doctor to discuss treatment. You should also inform your sex partners, even casual ones, as they may need to be evaluated and treated as well.

You may feel ashamed, angry, or scared when you receive your diagnosis. But you should remember that you are doing the right thing by getting tested and stopping the problem before it gets worse or is spread to others. By seeking treatment early, your symptoms can be lessened, and your infections treated— the process for treatment will vary depending on your diagnosis. STIs are exceptionally common, there is nothing to be ashamed about if you find out that you have one, and your healthcare professionals will work with you to provide the best possible course of action for managing them.

If you want to get an STI Check, make an appointment with Dr.Nicole Stamatopoulos here.