Compare STD testing services and options.

Similar to what was previously mentioned, herpes infections are known for their recurring tendencies – causing outbreaks now and then and thus causing an intermittent spike in the patient’s viral load for specific instances. In addition to that, other STDs also take time to proliferate and produce a sufficient viral load that could warrant a positive and, more importantly, accurate diagnosis and detection from the tests being administered. As such, detecting an STD a few days following exposure is often complex and unpredictable – leading physicians to follow a certain timeframe instead for testing STDs instead of blindly testing immediately following exposure. Physical exams, however, may supplement inaccurate laboratory diagnoses, especially in cases where the test is prone to false results.

HPV is a condition that is often confused with Herpes – a situation that is caused by HSV Types I and II. HPV is caused by the virus where the disease got its name – human papillomavirus. It is a condition that mainly causes the manifestation of warts, and it is also infamous for its tendency to develop cancers in the genital region.

Antimicrobial resistance, as previously discussed, is the tendency of microorganisms to develop protective mechanisms against antimicrobial medications – rendering them ineffective during future utilizations and restricting the available drugs that can be used for certain conditions. Although it is slowly becoming apparent that antimicrobial resistance is being given more and more attention in the medical field, doing our part in the community is likewise a crucial factor in ensuring that no antibiotic medications are used unnecessarily or improperly. Considering the current rate of resistance and the subsequent rate of medication development, safety measures must be utilized to avoid shortages or, worse, the absence of any viable medication for the increasingly severe conditions we consistently encounter.

A nucleic acid amplification test is a laboratory procedure that professionals often perform to make detecting a particular nucleic acid or gene being targeted easier and more convenient while still ensuring that the sample being collected is relatively minimal. Nucleic acid amplification tests, or NAATs, are usually the mainstay diagnostic test for most STDs due to their ability to detect the presence of pathogenic nucleic acids and genes in the patient sample with utmost accuracy and speed. NAATs depends on their ability to replicate the target RNA and DNA to create numerous copies – resulting in an increased convenience in the detection of the desired molecules instead of trying to either blindly look for one strand in a minuscule sample or collecting a large sample that could make the patient uncomfortable throughout the process. Although NAATs are often preferred for a more conclusive diagnosis of STDs, certain exceptions such as the availability of resources and instances of intermittent viral shedding could make NAATs less desirable than other tests. Fret not, however, as your physician is knowledgeable regarding these instances and would often request the best diagnostic procedure for your instances.