Sexually Transmitted Disease or STD is an infectious disease which normally spreads through sexual intercourse. There are many kinds of Sexually Transmitted Diseases and here in this article, you will learn about the causes, the types and the tests that are associated with STDs.
What is the Meaning of STD?
As mentioned earlier STD is also known as a Sexually Transmitted Disease which can occur or can get transmitted through sexual contact with an individual who is already infected with this disease. These kinds of infections are also termed as STIs or Sexually Transmitted Infections. A person can get infected when having a vaginal or any other type of a sexual intercourse with the infected person.
What Are The Causes of STDs?
STD can be caused due to HIV virus or Herpes Complex or also due to Hepatitis B. Bacteria like Chlamydia, Gonorrhea and syphilis can also cause STD. STDs are those serious illnesses that require immediate treatment. Some infections like HIV cannot be cured completely, but the patient can take regular treatment to avoid the risk of life. By learning about its causes and the treatments you can always learn about different ways to protect yourself from the same.
A person can get infected by STD through oral, vaginal or anal sex. One can also be at a very high risk if they have more than one sex partner and if having sex with a person who has many sexual partners in return. It is also important to make use of a condom when having an intercourse as it avoids transmit of an STD.
Before we move on to learn about various kinds of treatment that also look have a look at the symptoms that are associated with STDs.
- A sudden discharge from the vagina or the penis.
- A feeling of itching near the genitalia.
- Having a stabbing pain while having an intercourse or during urinating.
- Having pain around or inside the anus.
- Blisters that turn into scabs and are located near the genital area.
- Fever, weakness in the body and the muscles and swelling in the lymph nodes.
The above mentioned are some of the common symptoms that may differ from person to person depending on the kind of the infection.
Can Urine Test Detect STD?
A simple urine test might not provide accurate results but urine culture tests help detect STDs faster. A number of STD conditions can be tested through a urine test or via a blood test. Sexually Transmitted Diseases like Gonorrhea, Trichomoniasis or Chlamydia can be easily tested via a simple urine test and the reports too can be obtained quickly. But it is also important to note that using a urine test, the doctor would only know about STD infected in the genital region. To detect an STD in the anus or in the oral cavity, a swab test has to be conducted.
STDs or STIs can also be deducted using blood tests. A blood test does provide accurate results and patients are also tested for conditions like hepatitis B and hepatitis C, Herpes 1 and 2 and for HIV as well.
What Does a Urine Test Show?
Most of us often wonder about the accuracy of urine tests. While there are a number of tests that can be done to diagnose STD, a urine test is a common test conducted due to the accurate results it provides. There are different kinds of STDs and each of those requires a different test.
The most common and the simplest of all the tests is a urine test that is used to check for the two most common bacteria that causes STDs –Gonorrhea and Chlamydia. During the urine test, a sample of urine of the patient is collected which is sent to a lab for analysis. The technicians present in the lab check for the evidence of Gonorrhea or Chlamydia, and also for hepatitis, HIV, or herpes.
In most cases, a urine test also helps deduct the abnormal pH values in urine, along with the existence of Bilirubin in the urine. Some of the other conditions that can be known via a urine test are,
- Urobilinogen Levels in Urine
- Red Blood Cells
- White Blood Cells
- Epithelial Cells
- Bacteria, Parasites and Yeast
How Accurate Is a Urine Test?
The accuracy of a urine test to detect STD has always been questioned. When we talk about undergoing a test for STDs we do find that there are a number of methods that are in use. Each of it offers its own pros and cons. A urine test is the most preferred as it is simple and does provide accurate results, which again are dependent on the window period.
Urine tests provide accurate results when the disease causing bacteria is present in the urine samples of the patient. But, when there is an infection and the bacteria are not present in the urethra, a urine test cannot detect the same. So, when a urine test is conducted within the window period, the result might not be accurate but when it is conducted after the window period, the test results can be accurate. Other than urine tests, even normal blood tests show STDs if the condition is in a progressive stage.
If you are undergoing a urine test for STD accuracy, it also helps to go in for a second test like Swab Test as it helps to confirm the existence or non-existence of STD. Remember that a wrong analysis can often lead to medical as well as personal consequences.
Conclusion
A number of STDs do exist in our body, most of which do not show any signs or symptoms. Such a condition is known as Asymptomatic and is quite common in both men and women. So, it is always recommended to go in for regular tests. If you are shy or not comfortable going into a lab for the tests, you can as well opt for a home sample collection, which is a service easily available these days.
So, keep yourself healthy by following a good lifestyle. And keep yourself away from all those causes that might infect you with STDs. If you find any symptoms of the same, do not hesitate to go visit a doctor immediately.
Medically Reviewed By
Maanasi specializes in health topics including diet and nutrition. A mother of an untiring seven year old, she enjoys nurturing her love affair with English. She is often found nestled with a book, plopped against a dozen pillows, smiling away at the brink of finishing yet another book of the many dozens, that adorn the shelves of her Mini Library!
