STD TESTING

Sexual activities may sometimes result in unfortunate circumstances such as sexually transmitted diseases, despite adequate preventive measures. Due to advancements in detecting and treating STDs, most sexually transmitted infections that were life-threatening just a few decades ago are now treated easily.

STD Testing

Our clinics offer comprehensive STD screening. The results of these tests are highly accurate and available quickly. Rapid tests are available for various STDs, which means that results are available in minutes, and you would not need to wait for days. In addition, we offer many STD screening packages, which will be customized to your specific situation.

 

Individuals who are at a higher risk of contracting STDs include those engaging in high risk sexual behavior: 

  • Unprotected intercourse without protection use, except in a long-term, single-partner (monogamous) relationship. 
  • Unprotected mouth-to-genital contact, except in a long-term monogamous relationship. 
  • Early sexual activity, especially before age 18. 
  • Having multiple sex partners. 
  • Having a high-risk partner (one who has multiple sex partners or other risk factors). 
  • Having anal sex or a partner who does, except in a long-term, single-partner (monogamous) relationship. 
  • Having sex with a partner who injects or has ever injected drugs. 
  • Exchange of sex (sex work) for drugs or money. 

 

Our men’s health specialists are well equipped to promptly diagnose and treat a wide array of STD conditions. A key point to keep in mind is that the earlier you present, the better your prognosis is, and the less likely it is that you develop any contraindications. 

  

STD testing 

STD testing has greatly evolved in the last few decades. These days, one can opt for an STD panel, which means that the lab can screen for all the major known STDs and get results within a few days. This is especially important considering that sexually transmitted diseases may not cause acute illness in many.  

Many sexually transmitted diseases may remain dormant for years, and one may not even know that they are infected by any of these microbial agents. For example, many may not develop any symptoms of chlamydia, hepatitis C, and even HIV for years.  

Thus, if you have multiple unprotected sexual contacts, one way could be a regular screening for most common STDs like chlamydia, gonorrhoea, mycoplasma, hepatitis B & C, HIV, and candida, syphilis, and many more. 

If you do not want an STD panel, there are rapid tests available for many infections. The good thing about rapid tests is that they just need a finger prick or a drop of blood, and the test is ready in just a few minutes. Rapid tests are available for many STDs, including HIV, and what is impressive is that most of these tests have 99% accuracy.

Common STDs include:

  • HIV 
  • Syphilis 
  • Chlamydia 
  • Gonorrhoea 
  • Herpes 1 & 2 
  • Hepatitis B 
  • Hepatitis C 
  • Ureaplasma 
  • Mycoplasma 
  • Trichomonas 
  • Gardnerella 
  • Candida 

 

Hisentials’ Testing Packages and Recommendations

Why some of the tests are so expensive? 

People often wonder why there is so much difference in the costs of various tests. However, they need to know that some tests use state-of-art technology. Instruments and consumables used by these instruments are pretty expensive; thus, some tests are relatively expensive. 

PCR test is more expensive than, let’s say, a rapid test as it utilizes highly expensive and complex equipment. In addition, it is a very complex technology that can not only identify genetic materials of various pathogens in samples but can also provide information like viral load, which means that they can even count the number of viruses in the samples. Thus, some tests may be relatively expensive and need a greater period. 

HIV PrEP

How quickly can I expect the results? 

Tests for STDs vary significantly from each other. For some conditions, rapid tests like HIV, for which results will be available in just about 20 minutes. However, for most infections, test results will be available within 24 hours or the next day. 

When it comes to rapid tests, people often want to know if they are reliable? The answer is yes. Most rapid tests are highly reliable and generally have accuracy above 99%. However, every infection has some incubation period, and diagnosis may be missed if one comes to the lab too early. This is the reason why one should share detailed information with the clinicians, the reason for being tested so that they can provide proper guidance. 

 

If you are concerned about having contracted a STD, or have recently partaken in high risk sexual behaviour, get in touch with one of our men’s health specialists, either over telemedicine or in-person in one of our clinics. 

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