Testing for STIs is essential to find out whether you are infected with an STI or not, as many of their symptoms are many times mistaken as symptoms of other medical conditions, some of which are simple as the flu.
Medical advances have made many different types of STI tests available in order to achieve the most possible comfort for individuals getting tested, beside achieving the end goal of diagnosing STIs in their early stages.
So, the following are some types of STI tests and everything you need to know about them:
1. Blood Tests:
You are probably familiar with blood tests, if not, here is how it goes: Using a small needle, a health professional will take a blood sample from a vein in your arm, and a small amount of the blood will be collected into a test tube or vial.
Blood tests are used to diagnose the following STIs:
- HIV I/II and the p24 antigen.
- HIV I (at 10 days after any exposure).
- Herpes I/II.
- Hepatitis B.
- Hepatitis B Immunity Testing.
- Hepatitis C.
2. Instant Tests
As the name suggests, you receive your test results within 20 – 30 minutes of your instant test, in which a clinician takes blood and/or swab samples.
Instant STI tests include the following:
- Instant HIV Tests.
- Instant Chlamydia Tests.
- Instant Gonorrhoea Tests.
- Instant Syphilis Tests.
- Instant Hepatitis B Tests.
- Instant Hepatitis C Tests.
- Instant Herpes Tests.
3. Urine Tests
Urine test instructions will be provided to you by a health professional, so you are able to provide a sterile sample of urine in a cup.
Urine tests are used to diagnose the following STIs:
- Herpes I/II (Current Infection).
4. Swab Tests
During swab tests, swabs collect a sample from the site of the infection, which is the vagina or cervix in women, and the penis or urethra, which is the tube that carries urine out of the body, in men.
Even though it might be uncomfortable for some, it is still efficient and diagnoses the following STIs:
- Bacterial Vaginosis (women only).
5. Throat Swab
Quite self-explanatory, and much like the throat swabs used to test for COVID-19, throat swabs represent a more comfortable and convenient option than the above swab tests for instance.
Though certainly efficient and reliable, it is used to diagnose only the following STIs:
6. Rectal Swab
In rectal swabs, the swab is inserted in the anus to collect the sample that will be tested later to diagnose any STI you are testing for.
Rectal swabs are used to diagnose the following STIs:
Where to Get Tested?
Making the decision of getting tested itself might take lots of back-and-forth thinking because of fear of the results or the stigma still surrounding STIs. But if you plan to get tested, as you should, we have the right, confidential, and reliable place for you – Better2Know. Check the STI tests from Better2Know to book your appointment, and get your accurate results.
