An STD test is a medical test which checks for the presence of any number of sexually transmitted diseases(STD). No STD test checks for all possible STDs.

Most STD tests are blood tests and are offered at Any Lab Test. We offer individual tests such as Herpes, Syphilis or HIV, in addition to two panels: Basic STD Panel (HIV, Syphilis, Herpes) and Comprehensive STD panel (adds Chlamydia, Gonorrhea and type specific Herpes to the Basic panel).

Herpes

Oral or genital herpes infections may be caused by Herpes Simplex Virus I (HSVI) or Herpes Simplex Virus II (HSVII). While either virus may infect the oral or genital regions, an oral infection is usually HSV I and a genital infection is usually HSV II. Blood testing for these viruses is done by measuring antibodies in the blood. Most common contact with these viruses occurs in childhood usually from a known or unknown oral infection. In fact, over 50% of adults show
some evidence of some HSV infection. Antibodies are most useful when they are entirely negative ... suggesting no evidence of any HSV infection.

Blood antibodies may also be useful by studying both IgM and IgG type antibodies. Many believe that a positive IgM antibody suggests active infection. If the IgG antibodies are measured during and then (a few weeks) after a suspected infection, a substantial difference (4 - fold or greater) suggests HSV infection.

As always blood tests should be interpreted along with a full clinical evaluation by a qualified physician.

HIV

Human Immunodeficiency Virus is the virus which causes AIDS. It is contracted by contact with the blood, semen or vaginal secretions of an infected person. Once infected, a person may remain healthy for years. When an HIV infected
person (HIV positive) becomes ill he has AIDS .

Risk Factors

People at risk for HIV who should be tested are people:

• Who have had unprotected sex with others whose HIV status is unknown.
• Who have had unprotected sex with anyone who is HIV positive.
• Who have other sexually transmitted diseases (makes it easier to contract HIV).
• Who have shared needles.
• Who have had unprotected sex with anyone who falls into the above categories.

The Test

If a screening test is positive it is verified by performing a Western Blot. If positive, these tests together are greater than 99% accurate. A negative result means no HIV antibodies have been detected. Such antibodies will usually be detected within 3 months, but may occasionally take up to 6 months to be detected. To be certain that one is HIV negative one must be tested after 6 months from the time of one’s possible exposure.

For more information call the CDC National Aids Hotline at:

1-800-342-AIDS.

Syphilis

Syphilis is a troubling disease because after initial infection there may be no symptoms. It is caused by a bacterium which is easily treated with antibiotics but which when left untreated causes irreversible harm and/or death. Syphilis is easily screened for with the use of a simple blood test.

Chlamydia

Urogenital Chlamydia infections are caused by a bacteria which may infect the urethra, rectum (from anal sex), cervix, tubes, uterus (female), epididymus (a structure on the male testicle), or the eye. It is estimated that 4 million new cases of Chlamydia are diagnosed each year. Many infected people are asymptomatic.

Gonorrhea

Gonorrhea is an STD caused by a bacteria which often infects the urethra, cervix, uterus tubes, rectum or pharynx. It is estimated to infect 700,000 persons each year in the US. It is treated with antibiotics