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Sexually transmitted infection testing
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Sexually transmitted infection testing is used to find the organism that passes from one person to another during sexual contact, whether oral, anal or vaginal. And there is one fact that explains why these tests exist: most new potentially curable infections cause no symptoms at all. It is checking the lock even though nobody heard anyone come in.
That is why early detection is what slows the spread. When no one looks for an infection, it often goes untreated, and an untreated infection can lead to potentially serious complications.
There is no single test for all of them: each infection has its own method. Chlamydia and gonorrhea are diagnosed with a nucleic acid amplification test, which detects the germ's genetic material in a swab or in urine. Syphilis is diagnosed a different way, with serologic tests.
In brief
Sexually transmitted infection testing looks for the organism passed on through oral, anal or vaginal contact; most new potentially curable infections cause no symptoms.
It is checking the lock even though nobody heard anyone come in.
That makes early detection key to slowing the spread: many infections go untreated and lead to potentially serious complications.
Each infection has its own method: chlamydia and gonorrhea are diagnosed with a nucleic acid amplification test on a swab or urine sample, and syphilis with serologic tests.
Sources (1)
- National Center for Biotechnology Information, StatPearls PublishingSexually Transmitted Infections, StatPearlsPublished
This page explains the topic in general terms; it does not tell anyone what treatment to follow.
Updated