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Routine STD, or sexually transmitted disease, cultures test for chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, hepatitis, herpes, urinary tract infections, vaginal infections and nongonococcal urethritis or nonspecific urethritis (NGU/NSU). A visual examination may also yield important diagnostic information, such as the presence of sores or lesions.
History
Sexually transmitted diseases may not always be visibly apparent, but testing reveals and confirms their presence. Testing samples include blood, urine, discharge, tissue, cells or saliva.
Types
The tests that labs use to determine the presence of sexually transmitted diseases vary according to the kind of specimen being used.
Syphilis, Chlamydia
Laboratories use rapid plasma reagin (RPR) to detect the presence of antibodies to syphilis. Some labs have determined that a urine test for chlamydia is more accurate than a swab test.
Other Tests
Laboratories detect gonorrhea by testing a urine sample rather than a swab. The herpes virus is detected by blood tests. Hepatitis A, B and C antibodies are detected using blood tests to identify the specific type.
HIV
Testing for HIV, the human immunodeficiency virus that causes AIDS, is separate from the basic STD panel. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, hospitals routinely screen for HIV. Obstetricians screen pregnant women for HIV infection.
Source:
Centers for Disease Control: Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Hennepin County Public Health Clinic: Sexually Transmitted Diseases Testing
Planned Parenthood: STD Testing
Resource:
Centers for Disease Control: Revised Recommendations for HIV Testing
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