Important STD Testing Basics You Should Know About
When it comes to STDs, home testing is one of the few safe options. This is because most symptoms associated with STDs occur in the body and cannot be easily identified or treated at-home. Also, medical treatment for gonorrhea and chlamydia, which are very common sexually transmitted diseases, can be expensive. However, there are a number of simple and free tests that can confirm whether a person has been exposed to a disease or not.
The most commonly used tests for home users include the urine and saliva testing methods. These two types of urine testing methods have obvious disadvantages in terms of confidentiality, however. Some people do not feel comfortable testing their private parts in front of a total stranger, and thus prefer to receive results via a discreet, DNA-based test offered by Quest Direct.
A saliva testing method known asalytherapy requires that a small amount of blood is taken from a healthy donor, and then a sample is sent to a laboratory for analysis. A falsely positive result from this type of test could indicate the presence of an STD such as gonorrhea or chlamydia, for example. However, many in the medical community have dismissed the possibility that a syphilis or HIV test could be false positive, or even a result of insufficient blood flow to the disease-causing enzymes in the blood stream. Aalytherapy is usually recommended for individuals who test negative on both the urine and saliva tests and also for those who only need one test to make a positive diagnosis.
The best STI test at home for STDs is the most discrete and can be performed with confidence by either a private physician or by a private lab. For instance, kits that incorporate polymerase chain reactions (PCRs) or Illumination DNA tests are easily available at most local pharmacies. Depending on the type of kit and the type of STD being tested, costs for these at-home tests vary greatly. For more complete protection, it is best to consult your doctor or health care provider for more information regarding the various at-home testing methods available.
Many private laboratories offer the same types of at-home kits that are used by private doctors. The most common types of testing include genital swabs, genital fluid probes, and non-googel vaginal strips. While the most expensive of the options, these kits are widely accepted by doctors and other health care professionals and are found in nearly every office for routine testing. Some doctors prefer the privacy and confidentiality of at-home kits and prefer that their patients receive the results of their tests directly from their offices. This allows patients the freedom to engage in multiple at-home kits without fear of disclosure.
Syphilis is not always detectable by simply having a swab exam, and in some cases, symptoms may be mistaken for something else. If you believe you have this STD, it is important to get tested immediately. Untreated syphilis can lead to serious complications and even death, so it is important to act quickly and get treated. Your doctor will help you find a reliable syphilis testing kit that fits into your budget and is simple to use.
