STD Testing via the Internet: How It’s Done

Testing for STDs online gives you peace of mind and protects your health.

Over 1 million people are infected with an STD around the world every day, resulting in around 376 million cases of sexually transmitted diseases each year, and many people who contract an STD may not know they have one because they don’t exhibit any symptoms. This can potentially lead to a host of health problems in those infected and their sexual partners, as they unknowingly pass on such common STDs as herpes, chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, and trichomoniasis.

“These STIs have a profound impact on the health of adults and children worldwide. If untreated, they can lead to serious and chronic health effects that include neurological and cardiovascular disease, infertility, ectopic pregnancy, stillbirths, and increased risk of HIV. They are also associated with significant levels of stigma and domestic violence,” warns the World Health Organization.

The global health body says that syphilis alone causes around 200,000 stillbirths annually and is one of the leading causes of baby loss around the world. STDs are a sensitive topic for anyone who suspects they may have an infection, and they may be reluctant to visit their doctor out of embarrassment about their sexual activity or having to have an intimate examination.

Today, the internet is helping to eliminate shame or fears over STDs as you can easily order STD testing to check if you’ve been exposed to a sexually transmitted disease. And if so, you can take action to get well and safeguard your health and that of others.

How Do You Know You Might Have an STD?

If you’re sexually active, you may have an STD and not know it, and the risk of contracting an STD rises if you have multiple partners. And because you can be asymptomatic if infected, you need regular STD testing to protect yourself and your partner or partners. Most STDs are easily treated and infections will soon clear up, while others may require a longer course of treatment. These are some common symptoms of STDs if they appear.

• Herpes
  

Genital herpes is caused by the herpes simplex virus and, unfortunately, there is as yet no cure, but the symptoms can be controlled with antiviral medications. Telltale signs you might have genital herpes include itching, pain, red or white bumps, and scabs in the genital area.

• Chlamydia
  

This STD is caused by the chlamydia trachomatis bacterium, which infects the genital tract, and it may take a few weeks for signs of infection to appear if they do at all. You may have chlamydia if you experience pain when urinating, have discharge from the vagina or penis and pain in your abdomen, and find that sex has become painful. Additionally, this troublesome organism can cause testicular pain and bleeding between periods.

• Gonorrhea
  

Commonly known as “the clap, this STD results from the Neisseria gonorrhoeae bacterium that infects the genital tract and can take many months to manifest as symptoms. They typically include a thick discharge from the penis or vagina, pain when urinating, tender and painful testicles, itching in the anal area and pain during bowel movements. 

• Syphilis
  

Treponema pallidum is a bacterium that causes syphilis in humans. It is easily treated with antibiotics but if left untreated, serious conditions can arise that can affect the organs and lead to meningitis, heart disease, and stroke. There are four stages of infection whose symptoms start with painless sores on the body and lead to rashes on the mouth and genital area and, years later, organ damage that can be life-threatening. 

• Trichomoniasis
  

The parasite Trichomonas vaginalis causes the STD trichomoniasis; it infects the vagina and urinary tract in men. Symptoms include discharge from the vagina or penis and itching of both, and pain during sex and urination. There can also be a strong vaginal odor.

How Does STD Testing Online Work?

Finding out if you have any of these STDs, and others, such as HIV, is easy and convenient and doesn’t involve a trip to the doctor thanks to online STD testing, you can order from your home or wherever you are. We have a Comprehensive STD Blood Test, for instance, that will detect the presence of all common STDs, and it’s just a matter of placing an order on our site and then choosing the nearest lab to you where you can have a blood sample taken.

The results will be available in a few days, and it’s then a matter of getting any medications you may need if there’s a positive result for an STD. Looking after your sexual health and protecting your sexual partners has never been easier, thanks to STD testing via the internet.