Our Sexually-transmitted Disease Premium Profile includes a urine test for chlamydia and gonorrhea, and a blood test to check for presence of the herpes simplex virus 1 & 2, syphilis, and hepatitis A, B and C. This screening is vital if you have concerns about having—or spreading—a sexually transmitted disease, and does not require a doctor’s order.
STD types and symptoms
Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted infection caused by the bacteria chlamydia trachomatis. Chlamydia primarily targets the cells of mucous membranes including the urethra (both male and female), vagina, cervix and endometrium (lining of the uterus). It can also target the mouth and throat. Infections in the mouth and throat happen infrequently. Ejaculation is not necessary to spread chlamydia.
Signs and symptoms of chlamydia may include:
• Painful urination
• Lower abdominal pain
• Vaginal discharge in women
• Discharge from the penis in men
• Painful sexual intercourse in women
• Testicular pain in men
Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted bacterium that can infect men and women. Gonorrhea can affect the urethra, rectum and throat of both men and women. In women, gonorrhea can also infect the cervix.
Most people contract gonorrhea during sex. But pregnant women with gonorrhea can also pass the bacterium onto their babies. In babies, gonorrhea most commonly affects the eyes.
Signs and symptoms of gonorrhea may include:
• Thick, cloudy or bloody discharge from the penis or vagina
• Pain or burning sensation when urinating
• Frequent urination
• Pain during sexual intercourse
Herpes Simplex Virus 1 and 2 IgG Blood Test
The Herpes Simplex Virus 1 and 2 IgG STD Blood Test is extremely important if you’re sexually active and think you’ve been exposed to HSV (Herpes Simplex Virus). There is no cure for herpes, and it’s estimated by experts that 60 million Americans have the virus that causes genital herpes. Anyone who is sexually active is at risk for getting the herpes virus.
Tests that you get at routine check-ups, such as pap smears, do not test for genital herpes. The Herpes Simplex Virus 1 & 2 IgG, is an FDA-approved blood test designed to detect if you have genital herpes (HSV-2).
Signs and Symptoms of Genital Herpes include:
- Cracked, raw, or red areas around the genitals without pain, itching, or tingling
- Itching or tingling around the genitals or anal region
- Small blisters that break open and cause painful sores around the genitals (penis or vagina) or on the buttocks, thighs, or rectal area. More rarely, blisters may occur inside the urethra — the tube urine passes through on its way out of your body.
- Pain from urine passing over the sores — especially in women.
- Flu-like symptoms, including fever, swollen glands, and fatigue
Syphilis (RPR) STD Lab Test
Syphilis is a bacterial infection usually spread by sexual contact. The disease starts as a painless sore on your genitals, mouth or another part of your body. If untreated, syphilis can damage your heart and brain. Syphilis progresses in stages and can lead to serious complications or death. Having syphilis also makes you more vulnerable to HIV. When caught early, syphilis can be cured with antibiotics.
Syphilis rates in the United States have been rising since 2000. Nearly two-thirds of new infections occur in men who have sex with men, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Rates have also risen among young women. Syphilis affects a higher percentage of African-Americans than whites.
You face an increased risk of acquiring syphilis if you:
– Engage in high-risk sexual activity, including unprotected sex, sex with multiple partners, having sex with a new partner, or having sex under the influence of drugs or alcohol
– Are a man who has sex with men
– Are infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
The more sexual partners you have, the more likely you are to get syphilis or another sexually transmitted disease (STD). Even if you’ve had syphilis and been treated for it previously, you can get it again.
Signs and symptoms of syphillis
The primary stage of syphilis typically begins with a sore (called a “chancre”) on the skin that was initially exposed to the infection — usually the genitals, rectum or mouth.
Infected individuals do not usually feel ill in the primary stage of syphilis, and the chancre heals spontaneously after 4 to 6 weeks; however, syphilis continues to spread throughout the body.
From the primary stage, the disease moves into the secondary stage of syphilis. Secondary syphilis can often occur several weeks after the chancre heals, once the bacteria have spread through the body. An individual may feel sick’ common symptoms include headache, achiness, loss of appetite and sometimes a rash that is red-brown in color but itchy or widespread. The rash may be flat or raised; it may or may not be scaly; and there may or may not be pustules present. The rash can last for a few weeks or months.
Other symptoms of secondary syphilis include sores in the mouth, nose, throat, and on the genitals or folds of the skin. Lymph node swelling is common and patchy hair loss can occur. Signs and symptoms of the second stage of syphilis will disappear without treatment in 3 weeks to 9 months, but the infection will still be present in the body.
The latent stage of syphilis occurs after the symptoms of secondary syphilis have disappeared and can last from a few years to up to 50 years. There are no symptoms in this stage, and after about two years, an infected man may cease to be contagious. However, a man in the latent stage of syphilis is still infected and the disease can be diagnosed by a blood test. During the latent stage, a pregnant woman can transmit syphilis to her fetus.
The final stage of syphilis, which occurs in about one third of those who are not treated, is known as the tertiary stage. Common symptoms include fever; painful, non-healing skin ulcers; bone pain; liver disease; and anemia. Tertiary syphilis can also affect the nervous system (resulting in the loss of mental functioning) and the aorta (resulting in heart disease).
Hepatitis STD Panel (A, B and C)
A HealthCheckUSA hepatitis STD blood profile is a group of STD blood tests that looks for the various forms of hepatitis–A, B, and C. You should consider taking a hepatitis profile is you have hepatitis symptoms, which include fever, abdominal pain, vomiting, yellow eyes and skin, and lethargy. A hepatitis profile should be taken if you think you were even exposed to the virus, even if you do not currently exhibit any of the above symptoms. Consult with a doctor or nurse if you have any questions regarding hepatitis symptoms.
Other STD tests: