Home Std Tests Are Convenient But There Are Drawbacks
Seeing a health care provider usually is the most reliable way to determine if you have a sexually transmitted disease . In some cases, home testing for STDs provides a convenient or necessary alternative, but it may come with some drawbacks.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that of the nearly 20 million estimated new STD infections each year, about half of them are among young people age 15 to 24. The most recent CDC surveys show large surges from 2014 to 2018 in cases of gonorrhea, chlamydia, primary and secondary syphilis, and congenital syphilis.
Some STDs do not cause symptoms or the symptoms are barely noticeable so many infected people dont know they need treatment. If left untreated, though, STDs can lead to severe health complications such as pelvic inflammatory disease, increased risk for HIV, certain cancers, and infertility.
Because the number of infections and need for screening have increased, at-home test kits for STDs such as HIV, chlamydia, and gonorrhea have grown in popularity. Visiting a clinic is the best choice for screening, but if privacy concerns, inconvenience, or limited access to a provider are issues, then online and home-to-lab STD screening tests may be a good option.
Pros and Cons
UAB Medicine obstetrician and gynecologist Shweta Patel, MD, says home testing may be a good option in certain cases.
After the Results Are In
Why Should I Test For Both
Chlamydia and gonorrhea are both caused by bacteria, display similar symptoms, and often occur together. Chlamydia and gonorrhea are also recognized as co-existing infections, which means that the occurrence of one infection may put you at risk of having the other. This is why we suggest that you be tested for both.
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Comparing And Contrasting Laboratory And At
Gonorrhea tests, whether conducted at home or at a doctors office, use samples of urine or other body fluids to detect evidence of the bacteria Neisseria gonorrhoeae. These approaches to gonorrhea testing differ in several ways, including the method of sample collection and access to a medical professional.
When gonorrhea testing is performed by a physician or other medical professional, samples can be collected by either the patient or the provider. The provider is then responsible for careful preparation of the test sample for analysis. In contrast, users are responsible for proper sample collection and preparation when using an at-home test kit.
Although many at-home testing companies provide access to a medical professional in the case of positive test results, these consultations are typically limited to discussion of this individual test. When testing is performed by a medical professional, people have increased access to medical support and guidance related to their sexual health and overall wellness.
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Who Needs The Test For Gonorrhea
Any person who experiences symptoms of gonorrhea or suspects that they may have gonorrhea should undergo screening for this infection.
The also recommends that the following people undergo yearly screening for gonorrhea:
- sexually active males who have male partners
- sexually active females younger than 25 years
- sexually active females older than 25 years with risk factors, such as:
- a new sexual partner
- a sexual partner with an STI
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Price: Around $49
Everlywell uses FDA-approved laboratory tests and CLIA-certified labs. The company offers a combination gonorrhea and chlamydia test and screening for a broader range of STIs.
After a customer orders a test kit, a board certified doctor within their state reviews and approves their request. Upon receiving the test, the customer provides a urine sample and sends it to the lab specified on the label. In a few days, the company posts the test result on the customers account.
In the case of a positive test, a board certified physician will contact the customer at no extra cost and provide treatment where necessary.
While Everlywell does not have accreditation with the BBB, it has an A+ rating. On the BBB website, Everlywell has a star rating of 1.23 out of 5 stars, based on 44 customer reviews. The company has closed 67 customer complaints in the last 12 months.
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What Happens If My Test Is Positive
First of all, please dont worry. Our services are here to support you and one of our experienced clinicians will discuss your treatment options during your appointment.
During the appointment, you will be asked how you would like to tell your sexual partners that they are at risk. This is essential to prevent any further spread of STIs and to make sure they get treatment if needed. This is always done very sensitively and we can do this for you so you dont have to disclose your identity. You can read more about partner notification on this website and how we support you through this.
Who Should Get Tested For Chlamydia And Gonorrhea
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advise every sexually active adult to get tested for chlamydia and gonorrhea at least once a year. But if you engage in high-risk activities, such as having unprotected sex, its best to get tested more frequently.
You should also get tested for chlamydia or gonorrhea if you are exhibiting symptoms of either STD or believe you may have been exposed to either STD.
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How Soon After Unprotected Sex Can I Test For Chlamydia And Gonorrhoea
You should test for chlamydia and gonorrhoea 14 days after you have had unprotected sex, unless you already have symptoms.
This is because chlamydia and gonorrhoea have an incubation period, meaning they may not show up on a test if you take it too early. To get the most accurate results you need to wait for 2 weeks after exposure to get tested.
There is a small chance that the infection may not show up on a test, and give you a negative result. Therefore, if you receive a negative test, you should repeat the test 6 weeks later to confirm your results.
How Often Should I Get Tested
The CDC recommends that sexually active women younger than 25 years old get tested for gonorrhea and chlamydia every year. Women 25 years and older with a new partner, multiple partners, or a partner who has an STI should also get tested annually.
Sexually active gay and bisexual men should be tested for syphilis, chlamydia, and gonorrhea annually. In cases of frequent sexual encounters with multiple partners, the CDC recommends testing every 3 to 6 months.
If youre experiencing any symptoms of an STI, you should get tested immediately.
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Home Remedies For Chlamydia
There are several home remedies for chlamydia, and a number of websites claim that these home remedies can cure chlamydia. While some of the home remedies have been shown to have antibacterial properties, antibiotics are the only proven cure for chlamydia. If untreated, chlamydia can lead to infertility or other serious complications.
If you experience symptoms, some of these home remedies may be effective for symptom relief, but they cant cure the infection itself.
When Should I Get Tested For Chlamydia And Gonorrhoea
You should get tested if you think there is a chance you could have been exposed to a sexually transmitted infection.
For example, you should get tested if:
- you have had unprotected sex with a new partner
- you or your partner have had unprotected sex with other people
- you or your partner have symptoms of chlamydia or gonorrhoea
- a sexual partner present or previous tells you they have an STI
- youre planning on getting pregnant or are already pregnant, as it is important to protect yourself and your baby from infections
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What Should I Do If My Test Results Are Positive
Most at-home STI testing companies have healthcare professionals on staff who will call you to discuss next steps.
Gonorrhea cant go away on its own. So, the first step will involve going on antibiotics, which will either include an intramuscular injection or oral dose. The exact dosage and type of medication will vary based on how much the infection has progressed. Learn more about gonorrhea treatment here.
Next, they will help you figure out how to talk with your current partner, as well as determine how far back in your sexual history you should be alerting folks. .
Finally, 1 to 2 weeks later, your healthcare professional will have you get re-tested for gonorrhea. This is known as test-of-cure and is important because reinfection is super common. Experts also
What Are The Pros And Cons Of Std Testing At Home Without A Doctor
Not visiting a doctors office and heading directly into STD testing could save you time and money, especially if you dont have health insurance. In addition, during the pandemic routine, in-person medical visits are discouraged to protect patients from potential contagion and to allow hospitals to devote resources to the most urgent needs.
However, deciding on the best STD test for you can be difficult theres a large number of available options, and it can be tough to identify precisely what tests you may need . The most common STDs that physicians screen for are chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, and HIV.
The CDC recommends that all sexually active women who are younger than 25 years old be tested for chlamydia and gonorrhea every year. Women who are 25 years or older who have new or multiple sex partners or a sex partner with an STD should also be tested every year.
HIV testing often falls into its own category. Testing and care on that front is more likely to be available in clinics but there are also newer tests that can enable sample collection and results at home from start to finish.
Poor sample collection is always a risk in diagnostic testing, but it can be even more of an issue when it comes to collecting a sample by yourself. So be sure to follow the instructions precisely.
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How Do The Symptoms Compare
Both men and women can get chlamydia or gonorrhea and never develop any symptoms.
With chlamydia, symptoms may not appear for a few weeks after youve contracted the infection. And with gonorrhea, women may never experience any symptoms at all or may only show mild symptoms, while men are more likely to have symptoms that are more severe.
A couple of the most telltale symptoms of these STIs overlap between the two , such as:
- burning when you pee
- abnormal discharge from the rectum
- pain in the rectum
- bleeding from the rectum
You may also develop symptoms that affect your throat if you engage in oral sex with someone who has one of these conditions. This can cause mouth and throat symptoms, including sore throat and a cough.
When Should I Get An At
An at-home gonorrhea test may be helpful for individuals who want to know if they have gonorrhea, especially when in-person testing is not available or convenient. Testing for gonorrhea at home is not recommended for people with symptoms and should not be used as a replacement for seeing a physician.
People interested in at-home gonorrhea testing should talk with a doctor. A doctor is in the best position to explain the benefits and drawbacks of at-home gonorrhea tests.
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Anatomy Of A Pathogen
For around half a millennium, syphilis has been one of the most widely recognized and feared STIs. It spurred the development of the first drug dubbed a magic bullet and, since the advent of penicillin three decades later, has largely been considered curable. With proper condom use, disease transmission can be reduced to near zero. Left untreated, however, the disease can prove deadly, causing severe neurological issues, especially if transmitted at or before birth.
Many syphilis tests detect antibodies against the bacterial family that includes the corkscrew-shaped Treponema pallidum.Credit: Dr Kari Lounatmaa/Science Photo Library
Detecting the disease, which is caused by the corkscrew-shaped bacterium Treponema pallidum, is easy enough, says Deborah Williamson, a microbiologist at the University of Melbourne in Australia, who has spent several decades studying syphilis. At a clinic, a health-care worker usually takes a blood sample and runs an assay to look for antibodies against the bacterial family that includes T. pallidum. If this assay is positive, the clinician runs further tests on the original sample to zero in on a diagnosis.
You Have Options For How You Tell Your Partner
If you test positive for an STI, telling any past or current partners is M-U-S-T so they can get treated and prevent potential transmission.
If you suspect that disclosing a positive result to your partner will compromise your safety or you just dont want to do it yourself! a doctor or other HCP can notify them anonymously.
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Can Gonorrhea Be Cured
antibiotic-resistant strains of gonorrhea poses some challenges for successful treatment.
Thats why youll generally receive both an injection and oral dose of antibiotics. If the first treatment approach doesnt work, a healthcare professional will prescribe another antibiotic, which youll take once or twice a day for 7 days.
Its important to take all of your medication to completely treat the infection, even if your symptoms go away before you finish your prescription.
If you continue to have symptoms after taking your antibiotics as prescribed, contact a healthcare professional as soon as possible so they can try a different treatment.
What Are Std Symptoms And When Do They Usually Happen
Women usually dont have STD symptoms that prompt them to get tested when an STD is detected its typically because a woman has been screened based on her reporting of sexual activity. If symptoms do appear, they may take a few weeks to develop. In addition, STD symptoms can be difficult to tell apart from those of a urinary tract infection or bacterial vaginosis.
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Pain deep inside during sex
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Burning and pain with urine or with bowel movements
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Having to go to the bathroom often
Until after the pandemic emergency response is over, the CDC has advised that women with symptoms should be prioritized for testing and treatment and that routine screening should be postponed. But women without symptoms still have options for testing and can seek treatment if they test positive for an STD.
STD symptoms for men can vary, and some infections dont cause external symptoms. For STDs like gonorrhea, syphilis, and chlamydia, symptoms can include:
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Painful urination
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Swollen lymph nodes in the groin
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What If My Gonorrhea And Chlamydia Test Result Is Not Normal
Test results are only one part of a larger picture that takes into account your medical history and current health. Sometimes a test needs to be repeated to check the first result. Talk to your health care provider about your result and ask questions.
If your test result is positive, ask your health care provider:
- If you need additional tests
- Any questions you have about your treatment
- When you need to be tested again
- When it is safe to have sex again
- How to protect yourself against reinfection
If you have a positive test result, you should tell your sexual partner. Follow your health care providers advice about when it is safe to start having sex again. Use latex or polyurethane condoms every time you have sex to prevent another infection.
About The Chlamydia & Gonorrhoea Test For Men
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Test accuracy
Please note, no test is 100% accurate but it should pick up these STIs if it is done at the correct time. If you are in any doubt, we advise that you go to you nearest sexual health clinic, or visit your GP.
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What are the chlamydia symptoms in men?
The main symptoms of chlamydia in men include:
- Pain when peeing
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Chlamydia Gonorrhea & Trichomoniasis At Home Test Kit
This is a discreet at-home test for men or women to detect chlamydia, gonorrhea and trichomoniasis by using a urine sample. Both chlamydia and gonorrhea are very common sexually transmitted diseases caused by different bacteria. Trichomoniasis is also a common sexually transmitted disease, however it is caused by a parasite, Trichomonas vaginalis. All 3 of these STD’s may have similar symptoms and risk factors and may be tested together. Results will show either detected or not detected.
A complimentary physician consultation is included with this test if the results are positive. It will be up to the physician’s discretion if a prescription will be provided.
Test results may take 3-4 business days once the specimen is received by the laboratory.
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At home test kit for men or women to detect Trichomoniasis through a urine sample.
What’s it used for?
Syphilis Rapid Test Kit
STI Rapid Test Kit for Syphilis Detection. Results without Labs.
Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection caused by the spirochete bacterium. The signs and symptoms of Syphilis vary but typically they include a single chancre and/or a diffuse rash which frequently involves the palms of the hands and soles of the feet. Latent syphilis with little to no symptoms followed by tertiary syphilis with gummas, neurological, or cardiac symptoms. Syphilis is thought to have infected 12 million additional people worldwide in 1999, with greater than 90% of cases in the developing world. Historically in Australia infection rates can be prone to spikes and Syphilis can be more prevalent in young woman. Detection is easy using a home test kit for Syphilis.
Test Now Australia with an STI rapid test kit for Syphilis.
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