5 Important Sexual Health Tests You Must Do Today - Famasi Africa
It's easier to deal with health issues subconsciously. But this leads to misdiagnoses, delayed treatments, or no treatment at all.
Have you ever visited a doctor for a sexual health test? If you're like most people, the answer is a no. And that's the norm because it's easier to deal with health issues subconsciously. But this leads to misdiagnoses, delayed treatments, or no treatment.
A universal truth about health is that frequent health checkups are vital to your overall well-being. However, keeping up with doctors' appointments is difficult, so knowing which sexual health tests you must take and when is essential.
5 Sexual Health Tests You Should Do
Depending on your needs, you can get a few different tests. Here are 5 major sexual health tests you should do:
HIV Test
HIV is a virus that attacks your immune system. If left untreated, it can lead to AIDS. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everyone between the ages of 13 and 64 gets tested for HIV at least once a year.
The HIV test is an antibody test — a blood test that looks for antibodies to a virus. Like a bodyguard, your body responds to an infection or illness by releasing proteins that circulate in your blood and fights bacteria and viruses.
If you've been infected with HIV (and antibodies were produced), they can be detected in your blood. It usually takes about 3 months for the body to make enough antibodies for the test to be positive.
The HIV test can be done with a blood sample, which can be drawn from your arm (venipuncture) or with a finger prick. The latter is convenient, but the results aren't as accurate as those obtained by venipuncture, so you may need to retake the test.
A negative result means that no antibodies were found in your blood, so you haven't been infected by HIV. However, you could still be carrying the virus — just not for long enough for it to show up on this test.
Unfortunately, you may never know that you have HIV without proper testing until it’s too late. Make sure you get tested at least once every year if you’re sexually active.
Chlamydia & Gonorrhea Test
Chlamydia and gonorrhea are among the most common sexually transmitted infections (STIs) globally. According to WHO, in 2020, an estimated 129 million and 82 million cases of chlamydia and gonorrhea occurred, respectively.
They often occur together. And they're both caused by bacteria, so they can be tested for with a urine sample or a swab of fluid from your cervix, urethra, or rectum.
The CDC recommends that all sexually active women under the age of 25 get tested for chlamydia and gonorrhoea at least once a year.
Herpes Test
Herpes is a virus that can be passed on through skin-to-skin contact, even if there are no symptoms present. If you've had any type of sexual contact, it is recommended that you get tested for herpes as soon as possible. However, the CDC only recommends testing for people showing symptoms to confirm their status.
There are three forms of herpes tests: a blood test, a PCR test, and a culture.
A blood test looks for antibodies to the virus. You can also do a Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test, which is used to test for the presence of herpes simplex virus through the virus’ DNA.
There is also a culture test. The culture grows the virus from a swab of fluid from a sore, which is more likely to be positive if you have active sores.
Syphilis Test
Syphilis is a bacterial infection that can be passed on through sexual contact. If left untreated, it can damage the brain, heart, and other organs. The CDC recommends that all sexually active adults get tested for syphilis at least once and those with multiple partners more often.
A syphilis test is a blood test that looks for antibodies to the bacteria that cause the infection, and it can be positive even when you don't have symptoms.
Hepatitis B Test
Hepatitis B is a virus that attacks the liver and can cause serious health problems like liver damage, liver cancer, or even death. It is usually spread through sexual contact or sharing needles.
A blood test can tell if you have the virus and also help you determine if you’re immune to it. The CDC recommends that all adults get vaccinated against hepatitis B, and those at risk should get tested.
Why should you do sexual health tests?
Getting tested for STIs is vital because many STIs do not have symptoms. This means that you could be infected and not know. And if left untreated, STIs can lead to health complications like infertility, organ damage, and even death. The only way to know for sure if you have an infection or not is to get tested.
If you're sexually active, it's recommended that you get tested at least once a year. Some STIs, such as HIV and syphilis, can be passed through blood or other fluids. But others, like chlamydia and gonorrhea, usually spread through sexual contact.
No matter how you choose to get tested, it's essential to talk to your partner about your STI status to practice safe sex.
What if the test comes back positive?
If your test comes back positive, then you've been infected. Your health practitioner will work with you to treat the infection and prevent it from spreading. They may also recommend that you notify any recent sexual partners so that they can be tested and treated.
Many people don't realize that they have an STD until they experience symptoms or pass it on to someone else. Regular testing is the best way to stay healthy and avoid passing STDs on to your partner.
Where can I do a sexual health test?
You can discover your sexual health status through Healthtracka. Our partnership gives you a discount on tests, so all you have to do is let us know. And if you'd like to do your tests at home, they'll come to you. Your result will be available within 24 hours.