Many people do not get an STD panel because they have not had any symptoms of an STD and therefore assume that they are healthy. This is not always the case however, and you may still be infected with certain infections and diseases despite not noticing any signs that anything is wrong.
HIV/AIDS
Unprotected vaginal, anal or oral sex means that you may be at risk from HIV, which you may not always detect. Sharing needles or syringes will also leave you at risk of contracting the virus. With minor symptoms that pass within a week or a month such as headaches, rashes, fatigue, sore throat and swollen lymph glands, many people who have contracted HIV have put the symptoms down to other illnesses, general tiredness or simply feeling as though they are 'run down'. Symptoms which are more obvious or persistent may not show themselves for around ten years, in which time you may have passed the virus to others. Although incurable, if untreated you may pass HIV on to other people and are also at risk of it progressing to AIDS, which is a life-threatening disease. By getting an STD panel, you can find out whether you have HIV and be advised and treated accordingly.
Chlamydia
Known as the 'silent disease', chlamydia often shows no symptoms, especially in women and in the early stages of contracting it. Chlamydia can be passed through unprotected sex, whether it is vaginal, anal or oral. Although it rarely shows any symptoms and is not life-threatening, it is still a disease which, if left untreated, can cause infertility in women. Cured with a simple course of antibiotics, it is better to catch chlamydia with an STD panel sooner rather than later before you pass it on to other partners.
Genital Herpes
Genital herpes sometimes has no symptoms, making it hard to spot. Symptoms that do arise include itching, pain during urination, and open sores, bumps or blisters on the vagina or penis. This disease is incurable and can be passed through vaginal or anal intercourse, and oral sex can result in oral herpes. By finding out whether you have genital herpes by taking an STD panel, you can ensure that you do not pass on this disease to others, and medicine can be given to you in order to lower severity of symptoms if they do arise.
Gonorrhea
Gonorrhea is a disease that can be caught through unprotected vaginal, anal or oral sex and can sometimes go undetected, especially in men. It can cause bloody discharge from the penis or vagina, and infertility or increased risk of ectopic pregnancy in women. With up to ten percent of women becoming infertile from gonorrhea, it is important to get an STD panel as soon as possible, since the disease can be cured simply with antibiotics.
Hepatitis B
Around thirty percent of people who have contracted Hepatitis B will have no symptoms whatsoever. This disease causes liver damage in the people that contract it and is incurable. However medicine to help the liver fight the disease is given if you find that you have Hepatitis B. With STD panels able to pick this disease up, it is important that you have one in order to reduce the chance of liver damage.
Spotting the Signs of Infections and Diseases as Soon as Possible
With many of the diseases showing only mild symptoms or none at all, finding out about them sooner rather than later will decrease your chances of longer-lasting problems. In some cases it may even save your life, as well as the lives of others. This is why having an STD panel is very important and you should take one whenever you have a possibility of being at risk.
Tim Leach is part of USALabTesting that can provide a confidential, online STD panel at over 2,000 other clinics across the USA. We have a large range of STD tests available and getting peace of mind is discreet, easy and painless.
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