What Kind Of Tests Are Given At STD Testing Centers? by Rudy Silva

STD testing centers are designed to determine the type of sexually transmitted disease you have acquired. Depending on the type of disease you would like to be tested for, there are HIV, Oral Herpes, HPV, Syphilis, Herpes and Gonorrhea testing.

A typical STD urine test can determine several sexually transmitted diseases. Besides the urine test, the physicians may also examine your genitals by extracting fluid samples from the vagina, anus, urethra or throat. Blood or cell samples can determine viruses for Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Syphilis, Trichomoniasis, Human Immunodeficiency Virus, HPV and Genital Herpes.

The Chlamydia affected 2.8 million Americans in 2004. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention received reports of more than 900,000 Chlamydia infections. The symptoms of Chlamydia among women are mild or absent, making it difficult to notice.

To test for Chlamydia infection in women, the physician will conduct a pelvic exam to look for signs of infection. The physician will also take a cervical swab which will be sent to a laboratory to examine it further.

Every year, 700,000 people are infected or re-infected with Gonorrhea virus. To diagnose this STD, both a physical examination and culture test are needed. The physician or your healthcare provider will take a sample of any discharge from you. The sample will be sent to a laboratory for culture test that lasts for 2 days. After which, the sample is examined under a microscope. It is also possible to have urine test for Gonorrhea, but the results will not be as accurate as the culture test.

In 2002, more than 32,000 cases of Syphilis infection were reported in the United States. During the initial stages, the diagnosis can be done by having a physical examination and fluid samples from the chancres sores.

If the Syphilis is on the second stage, the physician will check your lymph glands and for signs of rashes. A blood test will also be necessary to look for antibodies to the Syphilis bacteria.

To test the Trichomoniasis, a pelvic exam is necessary to check for sores on your cervix. There will also be cervical swab combined with salt solution before the sample is examined under a microscope.

STD testing centers will also test for a very serious Human Immunodeficiency Virus. The HIV infection can be hard to detect at the initial stage because of absence of symptoms. Mostly, the HIV infection is detected at more advanced stages because of the symptoms that start to manifest.

Among the HIV symptoms are rapid weight loss, recurring fever, and unusual blemishes in the throat or mouth. To have a HIV AIDS test, a blood sample is needed. If the blood sample contains antibodies, you are positive for HIV.

Most STD testing centers have routine tests for a few infections. So if there is a particular disease that you would like to be tested, ask your physician for it. STD tests are never accomplished by examining the pelvis or by having a routine physical exam alone. After the request for a particular STD test, your consent is needed before the test proceeds.