STI Test Comprehensive

Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted infection caused by the bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis. The bacteria can cause an infection of the urethra, cervix, rectum, or throat. Chlamydia is transmitted through vaginal, anal, and oral sex, or contact with infected genital fluids. The infection can spread to the epididymis in men and to the uterus or fallopian tubes in women. Left untreated, a chlamydia infection increases the risk of infertility or an ectopic pregnancy. Giving birth with chlamydia can also lead to eye and respiratory infections in the baby. Chlamydia is a very common STI and is usually treatable with antibiotics.

Gonorrhoea is a highly contagious sexually transmitted infection caused by the bacteria Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Not everyone with gonorrhoea develops symptoms, making early detection difficult. If left untreated, gonorrhoea can cause further health problems. In women, untreated gonorrhoea can cause pelvic inflammatory disease or infertility. In pregnant women, inflammation of the uterus, preterm birth, and ectopic pregnancy can occur. Pregnant women with gonorrhoea can also infect their baby during childbirth. This can lead to eye inflammation and blindness in the baby. In men, untreated gonorrhoea can cause inflammation of the epididymis or prostate. In rare cases, gonorrhoea can enter the bloodstream and cause infections in other parts of the body. This can lead to joint inflammation, blood poisoning or meningitis. Gonorrhoea is treatable with antibiotics.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a virus that attacks the body’s immune system. The virus is present in blood, semen, vaginal fluid, and breast milk, and can be contracted if these fluids enter your bloodstream. HIV is usually transmitted through anal or vaginal sex or sharing needles, syringes, or other drug-injection equipment. HIV often causes little to no symptoms at first, and individuals may be infected for years before developing noticeable symptoms. If HIV goes untreated for an extended period of time, the body’s immune system can decline, increasing susceptibility to many types of illnesses. This can lead to Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS), a chronic and life-threatening condition. HIV can be detected with a blood test. HIV cannot be cured, but AIDS can be prevented through proper detection and treatment. Timely and intensive treatment with antiretroviral medicines can make the blood “virus-free”, so that those living with HIV are no longer contagious and have a normal life expectancy.

Syphilis is a bacterial infection spread through sexual contact and is caused by the bacteria Treponema Pallidum. Syphilis can be transmitted through sexual intercourse or oral sex, infecting the penis, vagina, anus, or throat. Syphilis often produces no symptoms, although in the early stages of the infection it may cause a lesion (ulcer or chancre) where the syphilis entered the body. The bacteria infects the mucous membranes of the penis, vagina, anus, or mouth and can cause inflammation and rashes. Untreated syphilis can also suddenly make you sick after months or years without any symptoms. In rare cases, serious damage to the brain or heart can occur due to untreated syphilis. Syphilis can be detected with a blood test. It is easily treated with antibiotics if caught early.

Hepatitis B is an inflammation of the liver caused by the hepatitis B virus. Hepatitis B is present in body fluids (blood, semen, vaginal fluid, or breast milk) and is spread when body fluids contaminated with the virus enter the body of someone who is not infected. This can happen through childbirth, sexual contact, or contact with used needles. Not all people infected with Hepatitis B have symptoms and many heal from the infection on their own. For others, Hepatitis B can become a chronic infection that, if left untreated, can lead to serious or life-threatening health problems, such as liver cirrhosis or liver cancer. Hepatitis B can be prevented with a vaccine and the best way to prevent infection is to get vaccinated. Chronic hepatitis B has no cure, but can be treated with antiviral drugs. With the right treatment, people with chronic hepatitis B can live a long and healthy life and not be at risk of passing the virus on to others.

The herpes simplex virus is spread through skin-to-skin contact with infected areas and is divided into two types: HSV-1 and HSV-2. HSV-1 is transmitted primarily through oral contact and can cause oral herpes, more commonly known as a cold sore. HSV-1 can also cause genital herpes through oral-to-genital contact. HSV-1 is very common – an estimated 3.7 billion people under the age of 50 (67%) have HSV-1 worldwide. Both HSV-1 and HSV-2 infections can be asymptomatic and many people are therefore unaware they are infected. If present, a first outbreak of symptoms may occur 2 to 12 days after exposure to the virus. The first outbreak is more severe than future recurrences, and over time the frequency of the outbreaks may decrease. HSV sores form where the infection enters your body. You can spread the infection by touching a sore and then rubbing or scratching another part of the body. While HSV has no cure, it can be treated with antiviral drugs to ease initial outbreaks and prevent future flare-ups. This test measures active herpes outbreaks that can be detected in urine or vaginal fluid.

The herpes simplex virus is spread through skin-to-skin contact with infected areas and is divided into two types: HSV-1 and HSV-2. HSV-2 is a sexually transmitted infection that causes genital herpes almost exclusively through genital-to-genital contact. An estimated 491 million people between the ages of 15 and 49 (13%) have HSV-2 worldwide. Both HSV-1 and HSV-2 infections can be asymptomatic and many people are therefore unaware they are infected. If present, a first outbreak of symptoms may occur 2 to 12 days after exposure to the virus. The first outbreak is more severe than future recurrences, and over time the frequency of the outbreaks may decrease. HSV sores form where the infection enters your body. You can spread the infection by touching a sore and then rubbing or scratching another part of the body. While HSV has no cure, it can be treated with antiviral drugs to ease initial outbreaks and prevent future flare-ups. This test measures active herpes outbreaks that can be detected in urine or vaginal fluid.

Trichomoniasis is a sexually transmitted infection caused by the parasite Trichomonas vaginalis. Although the symptoms vary, most people do not experience any symptoms and do not know they are infected. Trichomoniasis can cause inflammation of the vagina, cervix and urethra and make you more susceptible to other STIs. In pregnant women, infections with trichomoniasis are associated with preterm delivery and low birth weight. Trichomoniasis is treatable. To prevent re-infection, all sex partners should be treated at the same time.

Mycoplasma genitalium (MG) is a bacteria that can be transmitted through unprotected oral, anal, or vaginal sexual contact. This STI is mainly tested if an individual is experiencing symptoms of burning, itching, or discharge but does not have chlamydia or gonorrhoea. As many people do not experience any symptoms during an MG infection and it is not regularly tested for, most infections go undetected. In fact, more than 90% of men and 50% of women with an MG infection have no symptoms. Despite its lack of symptoms, MG can cause inflammation in the urethra, cervix, and fallopian tubes. MG is also associated with pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility, and miscarriage, although less common than with a chlamydia infection. Treatment of MG involves antibiotics, although in some cases the infection spontaneously clears on its own. Antibiotic resistance is common in MG and specific considerations should be made when treating it.

Mycoplasma hominis is a bacterium that lives in the urinary tract and genital area and is passed on through vaginal, anal and oral sex. It can cause burning during urination, pain during or after sex, and unusual discharge from the vagina or penis, and it has been linked to bacterial vaginosis and to inflammation of the reproductive organs. Mycoplasma hominis is left out of most routine screens, so it is a frequent explanation for persistent complaints when everything else comes back negative. With symptoms, it is cleared with a targeted course of antibiotics, chosen carefully because Mycoplasma hominis does not respond to every type. Without symptoms it can stay present without doing damage, and treatment is usually not advised.

Ureaplasma urealyticum is found in the vagina and cervix of many women and in the urethra of a smaller number of men, and spreads through vaginal, anal and oral sex. An overgrowth causes pain when urinating, unusual discharge or odour, and lower abdominal pain, and in men it is a recognised cause of urethritis, an inflammation of the urethra. In pregnancy it has been associated with premature birth, lower birth weight and breathing problems in newborns. If you have symptoms, antibiotics clear the infection and your partner is treated at the same time to prevent reinfection. If you have no symptoms, the bacterium can remain present without doing damage and treatment is generally not needed.

Ureaplasma parvum is one of the most frequently found bacteria in the genital tract and is passed on through vaginal, anal and oral sex. It can cause symptoms that look exactly like other STIs: pain when urinating, unusual discharge, or lower abdominal discomfort. Because most STI tests leave Ureaplasma out, these complaints often stay unexplained after a negative chlamydia and gonorrhoea result. During pregnancy, Ureaplasma has been linked to premature birth and lower birth weight. If you have symptoms, a short course of antibiotics clears the infection, and treating your partner at the same time prevents it coming back. If you have no symptoms, the bacterium can remain present without causing harm and your doctor will usually advise against treatment.