What STD Tests Should You Be Considering?
There are several different reasons from different people in the plan of getting an STD test. The fact is even medical experts and doctors can have varying opinions with regards to who among individuals must be tested for carrying a specific sexually transmitted disease. For the most part though, an official recommendation is to be based on research statistics, which in turn focuses on an area’s infection rates and sexual activity. But on a personal perspective, it still is best to gather your own information and educate yourself, especially if there is reason to believe that you may be prone to getting an STD.
The fact is if you’re someone who is sexually active, there really is nothing wrong if you dig in a little deeper on the different STD testing guidelines; it even can help you understand what test you should contemplate on getting.
First, if you consider yourself as a sexually active individual, then the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that you get tested for HIV, especially if you’re an adult or pregnant. The good news is unlike before you can now get tested for gonorrhea and chlamydia through your urine, which means that it’s no longer invasive like before. Remember that anyone can go to a doctor and requests those tests.
In a study summed up into a surveillance report by the CDC in 2006, it was revealed that people aged 15 to 24 represented 50% of the STD cases during that year, which means that if you belong to this group and consider yourself as sexually active, then you must also subject yourself to STD testing. This is very true when it comes to common diseases like HIV, syphilis, and gonorrhea. Keep in mind though that there’s really no recommended or standard frequency of testing for those diseases as you can base yours on your own sexual behavior.
How about men who have sexual relationships with women exclusively? So if you see yourself in this categorization, it is your right to know that most doctors don’t really emphasize testing you for STDs except for HIV. On the other hand, you still might be required to get tested in case you are showing symptoms of an STD that’s different to that of HIV.
Finally, for men who are involved in a sexual relationship with other men, it is very important to get STD testing, especially for HIV and syphilis. The obvious reason is because this group comes with very high probabilities of contracting both infections. Generally speaking, the frequency of you getting tested is mainly based or dependent on the number of partners you have.