The Importance of Regular STI Testing: Protecting Your Health and Wellbeing

Sexually transmitted infections are a very frequent and under-diagnosed cause of illness worldwide, regular checks are highly recommended for your health and wellbeing especially if you have any relevant symptoms or suspicions.

World Health Organization (WHO) statistics show that about 498.9 million new cases of Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), Neisseria gonorrhea (NG), syphilis and Trichomonas vaginalis (TV) occurred worldwide in 2008 in adults between the ages of 15 and 49. The number of patients with STIs is higher than the one reported in the statistics because of the asymptomatic form of the infection, the absence of partners testing, self-treatments and under-reporting the cases.

Causes of STIs

STIs can be caused by different kinds of microorganisms, including viruses, bacteria, and parasites. Sexually transmitted viral infections include human papillomavirus (HPV), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), herpes simplex virus (HSV), hepatitis B and C, and human herpesvirus-8 (HHV-8). Sexually transmitted bacterial infections include syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia. Trichomonas is an example of a sexually transmitted infection caused by a parasite. Infestations with parasitic bugs, such as lice or scabies, can also be transmitted by close contact and may be acquired during sexual activity. Humans contract the Zika virus through the bite of an infected vector mosquito, and the Zika virus can be transmitted to others through sexual contact.

Complications of STIs

In women, STIs can determine cervicitis, pelvic inflammatory disease, salpingitis, endometritis, spontaneous abortion, and prematurity/low birth weight. Women have an over 3 times higher rate of contracting Chlamydia Trachomatis than do men. Urethritis, epididymitis, and chronic prostatitis occur in men with STIs. In both genders, STIs can cause infertility and they increase the susceptibility to HIV infection. In both sexes symptomatic infection appears to be the exception rather than the rule, up to 70% remain asymptomatic for a varying period.

Methods of testing STIs

A high number of detection methods and a large range of specimens in which sexually testing infections can be determined are available now, and they range from cell culture to nucleic acid amplification tests (NAAT). In bacterial culture only viable bacteria can be quantified, but NAATs such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) can quantify both viable and nonviable bacteria. The higher sensitivity and better specificity of NAATs are their main advantages over other tests. PCR has been used to analyze a variety of specimen types including male and female urine, male urethral swabs, and female endocervical/vaginal swabs. The invasiveness of traditional collection methods determined some individuals not to perform STIs tests. Self-collectable samples such as first-void urine (FVU) and vaginal swabs have the advantage of being non-invasive and may increase the number of tested individuals and the practicability of screening programs. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR), performed on first void urine offers the advantage of being non-invasive, self-collectable and has high sensitivity and specificity. Home STD Test options are increasingly popular for their convenience and privacy, allowing individuals to test.

PCR STIs test can check up to 13 organisms at the time. Results usually appear in 24 to 48 hours.