Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD)

STD Panel Testing

Getting tested for STDs (sexually transmitted diseases) is an important step in protecting the health of sexually active patients. The term “sexually transmitted disease” (STD) has replaced the term “venereal disease”. STDs are generally acquired by sexual contact. Some infections are also transmitted non-sexually such as diaplacentally during pregnancy or from mother to infant during childbirth, through blood transfusions or through shared needles. Sexually transmitted infections have a range of signs and symptoms and may go unnoticed until complications occur or a sexual partner is diagnosed.

Signs/symptoms that may indicate an STD include

Sores on the genitals, in oral or rectal areas, painful or burning sensation when urinating, discharge from genitals, unusual vaginal bleeding, swollen inguinal lymph nodes, lower abdominal pain. Symptoms may appear several days to years after exposure depending on the organism. They may resolve within a few weeks, even without treatment, but progression with later complications or recurrence is also possible.

Complications 

Recurrent genital sores, pain during intercourse, scrotal pain, redness and swelling, pelvic pain, eye inflammation, arthritis, pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility.

Benefits

Several pathogens can be detected in one test.

Material

For Blood Tests: Serum

For Genital Culture: Swab with media

For PCR Panels: Dry Swab, Thin Prep, LBC, Urine

Method

Immunoassay, Microbiology, PCR

Results

Blood tests include

Testing for HIV, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, Syphilis

Microbiology tests include

Common bacterial infections (Gonorrhea, Candidiasis, Gardnerella, etc.)

PCR Tests: see below

The PCR based STD panels include:

STD Profile 1

Chlamydia Trachomatis, Neisseria Gonorrhoeae, Mycoplasma Hominis, Mycoplasma Genitalium, Ureaplasma Urealyticum/Parvum, Trichomonas Vaginalis

STD Profile 2

Herpes Virus Types I and II, Varicella Zoster Virus,  Cytomegaly (CMV), Lymphogranuloma Venereum (LGV), Treponema Pallidum, Haemophilus Ducreyi

STD Profile 3

Chlamydia Trachomatis, Neisseria Gonorrhoeae, Mycoplasma Hominis, Mycoplasma Genitalium, Ureaplasma Urealyticum/Parvum, Trichomonas Vaginalis,  Herpes Virus Types I and II, Varicella Zoster Virus,  Cytomegaly (CMV), Lymphogranuloma Venereum (LGV), Treponema Pallidum, Haemophilus Ducreyi

STD Profile 4

Chlamydia Trachomatis, Neisseria Gonorrhoeae, Mycoplasma Hominis, Mycoplasma Genitalium, Ureaplasma Urealyticum/Parvum, Trichomonas Vaginalis, Herpes Virus Types I and II, Varicella Zoster Virus,  Cytomegaly (CMV), Lymphogranuloma Venereum (LGV), Treponema Pallidum, Haemophilus Ducreyi, incl. Genital culture

Pre-Analytics

Do not freeze samples.

Turnaround time

1-3 days for immunoassay and microbiology.

2-4 days for PCR panel.

Sample Reports

STD Profile 1 Sample Report

STD Profile 2 Sample Report

STD Profile 3 Sample Report

STD Profile 4 Sample Report