STI Panel Testing: Get Tested Today with Star Medical Lab

Sexually transmitted diseases or STDs are infections that are transmitted from one person to the other during skin to skin contact or sexual activity. These are quite common but since they do not always have any apparent symptoms, it can lead to severe problems. For anyone who is sexually active and engages in unprotected sex often should get tested for STDs with the help of STI Panel Testing. This would help in staying at the top of your health and make sure you are sexually healthy. When it comes to STDs, STI Panel Testing is the only way to determine whether you have contracted a sexually transmitted infection or not. 

• Bacteria, viruses and parasites are the main culprits behind STDs
• In the United States, almost 20 million new STIs occur each year
• 50% of all infections affect adolescents and young adults in the age bracket 15 and 24 years 

What is STI Panel Testing?

The STI Panel Testing used for common sexually transmitted infections that the population of the United States in most affected by:

• Chlamydia
• Gonorrhea
• Syphilis
• HIV-1 and HIV-2

Signs and Symptoms

Whether or not you are showing the symptoms of a sexually transmitted infection, you can get tested using STI Panel Testing. It is also to be noted that when the symptoms start to show, their severity and occurrence varies from person to person based on the type of infection and the person. 

Common symptoms to look out for are as follows:

• Frequent Urination
• Irritation during unrinating
• Itching around the vagina or penis
• Discharge from the vagina or penis
• Pain in the lower abdomen
• Experiencing pain during sex 
• Vaginal bleeding

Treatments for sexually transmitted infections are not limited. There are a number of ways to manage and treat them. However, testing is imperative for early detection and timely treatment. 

How will the sample be collected?

The type of sample needed for STI Panel Testing depends largely on the test that you are taking. The common specimens used for STD testing include blood, urine, vaginal or anal swab, and saliva. The sample type, such as an oral std test, will be dependent on the symptoms and test type.

I am positive. What next?

Getting back positive test results after an STI Panel Testing can be a bummer. You might be feeling all sorts of feelings from being mad, angry, embarrassed, upset and so on. But the key is to stay calm – know that you will be just fine.

The first and foremost thing to do after finding out that you have an STD is to follow the directions of your doctor when it comes to treatment. Next, share this information with anyone that you are having sex with so that they can get tested too and get prompt treatment, if needed. While this might be an extremely difficult conversation to have, it’s an important one. 

Mostly, STDs can be treated using medication easily. This means once your medication course is complete, you can get on with your life normally. For serious cases, there are other ways to manage your symptoms and still have a normal sex life. 

If you find yourself having a hard time dealing with this information, you can always turn to close friends, family, or your partner for support. Therapists and counselors can also be sources of comfort in a situation like this.