What you need to know about getting an STI/STD test

If you're sexually active, it's normal to feel a little embarrassed or ashamed to talk about sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Many people don't like to talk about them. But being well-informed and getting tested when needed is very important for your and your partner's health. Today, we'll talk briefly about what STI tests are, how they're done, and why they're important.

What is an STI test? Why is it important?

Simply put, an STI test is a test that tells you exactly whether you have a sexually transmitted infection. Previously, this was called a sexually transmitted disease (STD). These are diseases that are transmitted through sexual contact. Sometimes symptoms such as itching and burning in the genital area can occur. But the most dangerous thing is that most of the time, these infections can be present in the body without any symptoms. Therefore, there is almost no way to know if you have an infection without getting tested.

Why is it important to take this test?

• Start treatment as soon as possible: If you get treatment early, you have a better chance of making a full recovery and avoiding long-term health problems. If left untreated, some STIs can lead to serious conditions such as vision loss, organ damage, and infertility . In some cases, these can even be life-threatening.
• You can protect your sexual partners: Once you know you have an STI, you can take steps to prevent it from spreading to others. You can also tell your partner about it and get them tested and treated.
• You can have a healthy pregnancy: Having an untreated STI during pregnancy is very dangerous for both the mother and the baby in the womb. If you are diagnosed with an infection, your doctor will explain to you about treatments that can reduce these risks.

Who should get an STI test?

You should consider getting an STI test if:

• If you are sexually active .
• If you have symptoms of an STI (e.g. genital sores, unusual discharge, itching, burning).
• If your sexual partner has an STI infection.
• If you are pregnant (protect yourself and your baby).

Your doctor is the best person to tell you if you need an STI test and when to get one. But the most important thing to understand here is that you have to start the conversation about it. STIs are not usually checked during a regular checkup. So, if you are sexually active, don't hesitate to talk to your doctor about it.

Your doctor may ask you things like:

• The nature of the sexual activity you engaged in.
• Whether protective methods (e.g. condoms) were used.
• How many sexual partners have you had?
• Have you or your partners ever had an STI?
• What are your symptoms?

After this open and honest conversation, the doctor will advise you on what tests you need.

How are these tests done? Does it hurt?

An STI test is not just one test. It is a combination of tests that look for different infections. Your doctor will decide which tests you need. Don't worry, these tests are usually painless and can be done quickly.

The commonly used methods are:

• Blood test: A small sample of blood is taken from a vein in your arm. Or sometimes a finger prick can be used to obtain a small amount of blood.
• Urine test: You will be asked to give a urine sample into a cup.
• Oral swab: A small swab is used to take a sample of saliva from the mouth or throat.
• Genital or rectal swab: A swab is used to collect a sample of cells or secretions from areas such as the vagina, penis, or rectum. If you have sores or blisters in your genital area, a sample of fluid may also be collected.
• Physical exam: Your doctor will check your body for signs of STIs, such as sores and rashes. Although not all STIs have visible symptoms, this is still an important step.

Do I need to prepare anything before the test?

There is usually no special preparation required for a blood test. However, your doctor may advise you to avoid using vaginal creams or douching before a urine test or swab test. It is also normal to feel a little nervous or anxious about this type of test. So it is a good idea to prepare yourself mentally. Talking to a trusted friend or family member about this can help put your mind at ease.

What tests are done for different STI infections?

Different tests are used to diagnose different infections. The table below provides a simple understanding of this.

What happens after the test? Let's learn about the results.

Your doctor will tell you how long it will take to get the results. Some tests give results quickly (for example, a rapid test for HIV can give results in about 20 minutes). Others may take several days or weeks.

• A positive (+) result means that you have the infection you were tested for.
• A negative (-) result means you do not have the infection.

But there's something else here. Some infections don't show up on tests until they've been in the body for a while. So, your doctor may recommend that you get tested again in a few weeks or months. That's just to be sure.

What if the result is positive?

Don't worry. If your result is positive, your doctor will clearly explain what to do next.

• The doctor will prescribe the right treatment for your infection. It is essential to take the medicine exactly as prescribed, at the right time.
• Some STI infections can be cured completely . Even those that cannot be cured, treatment can control symptoms and reduce the risk of spreading the infection to others.
• Your doctor will advise you to inform your sexual partners about this. Although it may be difficult, it will give them the opportunity to be tested and receive the necessary treatment.

How do you talk about this with your partner?

This is a problem that many people have. It's normal to feel a little scared or uncomfortable talking about this, whether you're starting a new relationship or in an existing one. But this is for both of you to do.

You can start this story like this:

"For our own health, wouldn't it be better if we both got tested for STIs? Let's think of it as a sign of respect and care for each other."

Don't present this as an accusation, but as something that is in the best interest of both parties. Talking openly about things like sexual history and using safe methods is very important for a strong relationship.

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