Different Types of STD Testing and Accuracy of A STD Test

Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) are life-threatening infections that occur in people due to unprotected sexual activities, and sometimes through nonsexual contacts. 

Most STDs do not cause any symptom. This makes it difficult to diagnose the patient at an early stage leading to fatal outcomes. So self-awareness is the only means for early STD diagnosis.

Different Types of STD Tests:

There are various types of STD tests which may be used by the doctors to diagnose STDs. There are several individual tests for diagnosing different types of STDs. However, Rapid STD Tests have been formulated to save people’s time, effort and stress while diagnosing STD. Few tests are performed in the doctor’s clinic while some can be carried out in the comfort and privacy of your home. A short description of Rapid STD Test is given below:

Rapid STD Test:

Unlike other tests, Rapid STD Tests saves time. It allows you to get the result in a short time. If you are STD positive, you have an opportunity to get immediate medical treatment. This test is highly beneficial for early diagnosis of diseases like HIV, as it may lower the risk of illness and enhance the lifespan of the patient. 

Besides other tests which require needles and blood, Rapid STD Test may require either the swab of body fluid or a urine sample.

The accuracy of Rapid Tests:  

All Rapid STD Tests are not created equally. Some show higher sensitivity and specificity than others. Now, what do sensitivity and specificity stands for? The ability of a test to correctly identify and diagnose those with the disease (a true positive rate) is known as sensitivity, whereas the specificity is the capability to precisely detect those without the disease (a true negative rate).

While testing for acute infection, the average sensitivity and specificity offered by rapid STD test are summarised as follows:

•    Gonorrhea: This test gives 86% sensitivity and 97% specificity.

•    Syphilis: It provides with a sensitivity of 85% and a specificity of 91%.

•    Chlamydia: It is 86% sensitive and 97% specific.

•    Hepatitis B: The result of this test is 97% sensitive and 99% specific.

•    Herpes simplex: It gives 93% sensitivity and 99.9% specificity.

•    HIV (in-office, finger prick): The test provides with a sensitivity of 99% and a specificity of 99.9%.

•    HIV (at-home, oral swab): The sensitivity of this test is 92%, and the specificity is 99%.  

Besides Rapid STD tests, some of the individual tests are listed below:

1.    Chlamydia: 

A special type of urine test named as the Chlamydia Nucleic Acid Amplification Test (NAA) is used to detect Chlamydia. This test is highly recommended by the CDC due to its capability to be very accurate. This process doesn’t involve swabbing. 

2.    Gonorrhea: 

Mostly, urine samples are examined to identify Gonorrhea. However, if you had oral or anal sex, swabs can be collected as samples from throat or rectum. In some cases, swabs may be obtained from a man’s urethra or woman’s cervix.  

3.    Hepatitis C: 

It needs a simple blood test to check whether you have got this STD. This test requires no fasting and no preparation needs to be taken at the time of the test.

4.    Hepatitis B:

The blood test is all that is required to test and identify Hepatitis B. Fast is not mandatory for this test.

5.    Herpes:

Herpes is a viral Sexually Transmitted Infection. Depending on the type of viruses attacking a person, Herpes can be classified into two types. The difference between the two types of Herpes lies in the type of infection.

To identify Herpes 1 (caused by Herpes Simplex Virus or HSV1) as well as Herpes 2 (caused by Herpes Simplex Virus or HSV2), a particular type of blood test needs to be done. The blood samples are examined for traces of antibodies for the virus.

6.    HIV:

To test HIV Antibody a simple blood test is needed. It will not cause any painful swabbing or needless undressing in this test. 

HIV is not curable, but it can be treated as well. There exists a class of drugs (anti-retroviral medications) which help tremendously by extending the quality of life of the victims and slowing the growth of HIV’s in the body.

7.    Syphilis:

Syphilis Rapid Plasma Reagin Test (RPR) is a simple blood test which looks for the antibodies that fight the infection. At times, you may result in a false positive reading if you were treated for syphilis before. In such a case, another test will be followed by the previous one to confirm the results.  

There are many authorized private clinics for STD Testing Syracuse New York or other states. RapidSTDTesting, also have the network of local clinics center in the USA- provides secure, confidentially report of the STD screening test.