Free Std Screening
Sexually transmitted diseases or STDs get passed on from one individual to another during vaginal, anal or oral sex. About 25 sexually transmitted diseases of different types exist, each having different symptoms. Syphilis, herpes, trichomonas, gonorrhea, hepatitis and chlamydia are some of the STDs. Though STDs usually get transmitted through sexual contact, some, like scabies, can get passed on in other ways. To find out the presence of a STD in the body a medical test is essential. The screening test of STD is done to check one infection or for a wide range of infections. STD is curable but untreated ones can lead to HIV and AIDS.
A STD test can be a screening test to detect asymptomatic or pre-symptomatic infections. It can be a diagnostic test to determine the cause of illness; as a check before or during pregnancy; to check whether long-term sexual partners are free of any disease; as a check after the birth of a baby to determine it is free of infection; to prevent the use of infected blood or organs; and as a part of mass epidemiological surveillance. A STD infection may turn transmissible due to the delay that occurs between getting the infection and diagnosing it.
All government health departments provide for a free and confidential STD screening test facility. The treatment thereafter is also free and confidential. Locations of the different clinics and their phone numbers can be obtained from the government websites or by enquiring at the government health departments. Minors are also tested for free and treated in these health clinics. The medical reports are kept confidential. Free condoms are given to promote safe sex practice. Men are screened through urine and blood samples. Women are tested through Gen-probe and blood sample. A pap smear is also done in some cases. Counselors present in these clinics guide people on how to cope with STD.
Many private clinics and hospitals also offer the facility of free and confidential testing of STD and the treatment thereafter. The names and numbers of these clinics are usually listed on the internet. Anonymous testing for HIV and viral hepatitis services are offered in most of these clinics. In collaboration with the government health departments, these private clinics offer separate free and confidential programs for treating women infected with STD. They also help in educating the people, within certain communities who are more prone to STDs, on ways to protect themselves from STDs.
A STD screening test is divided into three parts: the individual's sexual history, a physical examination and the tests. Before a check up, the patient needs to tell the doctor the risk factors faced by him or her. Depending on this assessment, a test is conducted. It is important to remember that just a screening test of STD cannot stop the disease from spreading. The tests only help to inform the patient about the presence of STD. If safe sex methods are not followed thereafter, the screening alone cannot help. Individuals who have been infected once with STD should get re-screened on a regular basis even after getting cured to prevent a relapse of the infection.