Sexually transmitted diseases are very common, and STD testing is necessary to detect them so they can be treated appropriately. STD testing usually consists of urine and blood tests, although discharge from the genitals or from a sore may be used. STD testing can be obtained at an STD clinic.
Although many people feel embarrassed when they have a sexually transmitted disease (STD), it’s actually very common for this to happen. In fact, you would be in the minority if you never had an STD. The majority of people who don’t completely abstain from sex will be exposed to an STD at least once in their lives, and often more than once.
Having a sexually transmitted disease is nothing to be ashamed of. Unfortunately, some people allow their embarrassment to get in the way of getting medical treatment when they suspect that they have an STD. This could mean that they suffer with symptoms for much longer than necessary. Worse, it could mean that they have health consequences later in life, such as infertility or damage to the liver or nerves, which could have been avoided if they had been treated for their infection.
One reason people may avoid seeking health care for an STD is that they’re afraid of STD testing. They may falsely believe that it will be painful or very uncomfortable. This is not the case. In fact, STD testing is a routine process at an STD clinic, and most people experience minimal discomfort.
When you visit an STD clinic for STD testing in Singapore, you’ll have an examination by a specialist physician. Sometimes, the doctor will find symptoms of an STD that you didn’t realize you had (such as a painless sore). Next, you’ll receive any specific tests that you need, such as a test of any unusual discharge. The discharge is collected on a swab and sent to the laboratory for testing.
There is also a standard panel of STD testing that tests for the most common infections. Usually, you’ll give a urine sample, and also a blood sample. In some cases, you may be asked for a swab of the inside of your mouth (this can be used for a rapid HIV test, although there are also other types of HIV tests). You’ll receive the results of your STD testing within a few days, and sometimes much sooner, as some tests give results within hours.
If you have any STDs, whether symptomatic or not, you’ll also be able to get treatment at the STD clinic. This is usually a prescription for an appropriate antibiotic or other medication. In the case of HIV, more than one medication is generally needed. Your physician is an expert in the treatment of all types of STDs, so when you get your STD testing in Singapore, you’ll know that your health is in the best hands
Sources:
Mayo Clinic. “STD symptoms: Common STDs and their symptoms.” Mayo Clinic. Published 18 Mar 2015. Accessed 25 Jun 2016. http://www.mayoclinic.org/std-symptoms/art-20047081
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs).” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Published 25 Feb 2014. Accessed 26 Jun 2016. https://www.cdc.gov/std/general/default.htm
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Screening Recommendations Referenced in Treatment Guidelines and Original Recommendation Sources.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Published 4 Jun 2015. Accessed 20 Jun 2016. http://www.cdc.gov/std/tg2015/screening-recommendations.htm
References
Sexually transmitted disease at Shim Clinic, Singapore