STD Testing

As the term says it all, Sexually Transmitted Disease, or STD, refers to a set of diseases that are mainly acquired through sexual relationships, although transmissions may happen via non-sexual ways too.

Affecting millions of people the world over especially among the young and the sexually active, STD is a much dreaded infection with known cure for only some of the types but not others. It is a disease plaguing humankind for a long time, with some variants belonging to the aggressive or even deadly types, such as HIV or AIDS that was first reported in 1984.

STDs are typically contracted via sexual contacts through the blood stream, and through genitalia and other bodily fluids such as semen. However, it can also be acquired though non-sexual processes such as shared needles or blood transfusion using blood tainted with the diseases. Even a pregnant woman with this disease may pass it on to the fetus.

STD normally presents itself via a range of signs and symptoms, though not always definitively. These usually show up only in later, more severe stages. Until then, or until when they get diagnosed, those infected with STD may largely be unaware of it and inadvertently pass it on to their sexual partner, or worse, multiple partners. Or they may unknowingly donate their blood, causing harm to innocent blood recipients.

Burning sensation while urinating

Bumps and sores in rectal area and genitals or even in mouth

Painful sex

Discharge from the penis

Lower abdominal pain

Odd and unusual smelling vaginal discharge

Rash on hand and feet

Swollen groin, lymph nodes

Unusual vaginal bleeding

Loose stool, weight loss and night sweats

Yellowing of skin or jaundice.

The common mode of transmission of STD is through unprotected sex, without the use of barrier contraceptives such as condom. Studies have shown the risk of contracting STDs goes up the earlier a person starts having sex. The risk profile gets raised too the more sex partners one has.

Risky sexual practices aside, ignorance plays a large contributing part too in the spread of STDs. Many are unaware of the disease transmission mechanism, especially among the young and sexually active who do not always practice safe sex. Some are even under the false belief that ordinary birth control measures are sufficient in preventing STDs.

There are many types of sexually transmitted diseases and infections. Some are easily curable and some are not. While many who had been infected before were fortunate to have seek treatment and have recovered, there are many still who continue to suffer due to no cure having been found yet for the specific type of disease they have. Some people continue to live with their diseases due to their ignorance about the nature of STDs, and the potential treatment and cure possibly awaiting them if only they would seek help.

Chlamydia

Human Papillomavirus or HPV

Gonorrhea

Herpes

HIV or AIDS

*** Note – Full description of each way too lengthy to be included. Suggest include them as a link elsewhere for further reading up.

Knowing how STDs get transmitted, the obvious way to avoid contracting the disease is to avoid sex in the first place. But that is not feasible or practical for a social person or those in a relationship. However, there are ways to mitigate and prevent the risk of STD infection.

While abstinence from sex is the best, those already in a relationship would do well to stay monogamous with a trusted partner who is not infected.

Given the advancement of medical science, certain STDs can be prevented with vaccines. There currently exist certain vaccines that can be administered prior to sexual exposure to help prevent infection from some of the diseases. Some of these preventable STDs via vaccination are human papillomavirus (HPV), hepatitis A and hepatitis B.

CDC recommends that children before the age of 11 and 12 be given HPV vaccine, up to the age of 26., while new-born babies up to one year old can be vaccinated against hepatitis.

Since STD transmissions can be stopped in its track by avoiding contact with bodily fluids and semen of possibly high risk sexual partner, a helpful way in preventing STD and its spread is by using condom during sex, as well as avoiding high risk sexual practices such as oral or anal sex. Refraining from having multiple sex partners and exercising care in choosing trusted and uninfected partner would go a long way too in preventing getting caught with STD.

Knowledge is power. Educating your child and love ones on the danger and potentially life-long implication of STDs, and the ways and means of prevention, should form the first line of defence. It is by gaining such insight that the young ones may understand the need to exercise sexual abstinence, or where that is not possible, at least to know that they can protect themselves through relevant preventive measures and safe sexual practices.

iMedical clinic offers private, confidential, and discreet STD consultations. Our clinic is conveniently located next to Yishun MRT. We offer comprehensive STD screening at affordable prices, without long waiting times.