STD Testing

AllCare is committed to providing comprehensive and confidential sexual health services to our patients. We understand the importance of regular STD testing, education, and prevention to maintain a healthy sexual lifestyle. Our team of healthcare professionals offers a safe and supportive environment to address any concerns or questions related to STDs.

Who Should Be Tested for STDs?

Individuals who engage in sexual activity are at risk of contracting sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and the risk increases with the number of sexual partners. Anal intercourse is known to carry a higher risk of STI transmission. It is recommended that high-risk populations, including pregnant women, undergo annual HIV screening. Furthermore, the incidence of syphilis in US cities is currently on the rise.

The most common symptom of an STD is no symptom at all. Chlamydia infection is commonly found during routine GYN testing because patients can have absolutely no symptoms. If left untreated, chlamydia can lead to Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) and fertility problems later on. The test for chlamydia can be done on urine, which is very convenient, and testing the urine is very close to the accuracy of testing the cervical/vaginal sample. All partners of a chlamydia-positive person have to be tested and treated as well.

Are STDs Curable?

The answer varies depending on the type of sexually transmitted disease. While some STDs can be easily treated and cured with antibiotics, others are lifelong infections. Most cases of gonorrhea and chlamydia can be cured with a single dose of antibiotics, although rare cases of antibiotic-resistant strains exist. Herpes, on the other hand, remains dormant in the nervous system and can recur in the same area of the initial infection when the immune system is weakened.

Should I Come Back for a Follow-Up Test?

Routine post-treatment testing is not always needed, but sometimes is necessary to make sure that the infection has cleared. There are always exceptions to the rule, for example, when contacts/partners are not treated properly, and the risk of reinfection is high.

Should You Get Tested For Herpes?

Herpes is a virus that remains in the body forever after the initial infection. It tends to live in the nerve cells and tends to reactivate (start multiplying) with a certain periodicity dependent on many factors.

There are two different Herpes (HSV) virus types:

• Type 1 is found in 70% of cold sore cases (Herpes Labialis) and 30% of genital herpes cases.
• Type 2 is found in 30% of cold sore cases and 70% of genital herpes (reverse of type 1 naturally).

There are two different types of Herpes (HSV) tests:

• Blood tests that look for antibodies that our immune system is producing to fight the virus.
• Tissue sample-based tests that detect the presence of the virus in the wound via culture or PCR.

Blood Herpes tests are divided into early-phase (IgM) and late antibodies (IgG). The HSV IgM test turns positive within weeks of the body's first encounter with the virus. This test fades to negative within 3-6 months of the initial infection. The HSV IgG test turns positive weeks to months after the body encounters the virus for the first time, and this test remains positive forever.

Which Test Will Be Used and Why?

Most people want to know if they have herpes by doing a blood test. But given the information above, we can see that it would be very difficult to interpret the test. The following scenarios are common outcomes:

• Scenario 1: This is the most common scenario, where the IgG (late phase) antibody for either HSV-1 or HSV-2 is positive. In this case, we know that the body has encountered the virus at some point in the past. However, we cannot determine whether it was genital herpes or a cold sore. Since cold sores are much more common, we can infer that it was a cold sore, but we may not be certain.
• Scenario 2: All blood-based HSV antibody tests are negative. This pattern is helpful, as we can conclude that the individual has not yet encountered the HSV virus. However, this scenario occurs rarely, as most Americans have encountered the HSV virus by age 39.
• Scenario 3: The early phase IgM HSV test is positive, which tells us that the body has encountered the HSV virus sometime between 2 weeks and 3 months ago. However, we cannot determine whether the infection was genital or oral.
• Scenario 4: A tissue sample was taken from a suspicious lesion, and the test came back positive for HSV. In this case, we can confirm with certainty that the person has an HSV infection, and we also know the location of the infection.

PrEP for High Risk Patients

PrEP is a daily medication that can significantly reduce the risk of getting HIV by up to 99% when taken consistently. AllCare provides a comprehensive approach to HIV prevention, which includes counseling, testing, and medication management. To be eligible for PrEP, individuals must undergo a thorough assessment, including a medical history, physical examination, and laboratory testing. 

Patients can expect ongoing monitoring and support throughout their PrEP journey to ensure that they remain protected from HIV infection. 

Make an Appointment Today

If you’re looking for discreet, convenient STD testing and treatment, make an appointment with AllCare today. Our experienced STD specialists are here to help you understand your results and determine the best course of action for managing a positive diagnosis. With our discreet, state-of-the-art testing methods, we can provide fast, accurate results that will give you peace of mind.

Contact us today to learn more.