STD Testing in Washington, Pennsylvania

Routine STD Testing is safe for you and for those you love.  Get tested today.

 Testing is Convenient  + Most Results in 1-2 Days  +  Reliable Results Provided by Labcorp

• HIV Blood Test

HIV blood test screens for antibodies caused by the HIV virus. The presence of HIV antibodies indicates that the person has the virus in their blood. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the cause of AIDS, is transmitted through bodily fluids such as blood, semen, pre-ejaculate, and vaginal fluid.  HIV/AIDS can cause life-threatening infections and cancers.

For most of the 30 years that the world has spent fighting AIDS, getting tested for HIV was often a fearful, embarrassing experience. Now consumers have the option to order confidential HIV testing online without the need of seeing a doctor prior to the test., then having the results analyzed in a professional health care setting.

Groundbreaking new data shows early treatment HIV can cut its transmission to a sexual partner by 96 percent. This data comes from a United States National Institutes of Health study of 1,763 mostly heterosexual partners. The study was intended to last ten years, but the results were so positively conclusive that it was halted five years early.

On June 8, 2011, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called for worldwide efforts to put an end to AIDS by 2020. Global action, combined with individual efforts that include getting tested for HIV, may make this goal a reality, consigning the killer disease to the history books.

• DNA/ PCR Test- Early HIV Detection

The advantage of choosing the DNA PCR Test-Early HIV Detection is that it can detect the virus as soon as two to three weeks after exposure.

The standard HIV test is detects the antibodies the body makes to fight the disease. It can take anywhere from two weeks to six months for the body to produce the antibodies, so it was suggested you wait a minimum of three months before having the antibody test done. The DNA PCR eliminates the waiting period and saves you months of stress and anxiety.

 

PCR stands for polymerase chain reaction. This early HIV detection test works by analyzing a small sequence of DNA and amplifying it. Amplification means that it will copy the DNA so there is more available to test. The DNA PCR-Early HIV Detection method takes only a few hours to perform.

 

A negative test result shows lack of evidence of HIV at the time of testing. Positive results should always be followed up with additional testing due to a small chance of a false positive reading.

• Herpes I/II IgG (HSV)

Herpes is an extremely common infection that cause sores on your throat, mouth, urethra, rectum vagina, or penis.  Herpes blood tests are done to find the herpes simplex virus (HSV).  There are two different types of the herpes virus, Herpes Simplex Virus 1 (HSV1) which typically causes cold sores, and Herpes Simplex Virus 2 (HSV2), which causes genital sores.

An HSV infection can cause small, painful sores that look like blisters on the skin or the tissue lining (mucous membranes) of the throat, nose, mouth, urethra, rectum, or vagina.  A herpes infection may cause only a single outbreak of sores, but in many cases the person will have more outbreaks.

Almost half of adults in the United States have herpes. This is the critical reason to get tested. Everyone wants to think it won’t happen to him or her, but herpes is beginning to be a more and more common affliction.  If you are having sex with more than one person and have not been tested for Herpes, you should get tested.

There is so far not a cure for the infection as the virus stays in your body. There are medicines that can help with outbreaks, but the herpes virus remains present. 

• NAA (Chlamydia & Gonorrhoeae)

Testing for Chlamydia and Gonorrhea, is done through a simple urine test. These diseases are the most common STDs and can be extremely damaging if undetected.

Gonorrhea is a disease that is caused by bacteria that thrive in warm temperatures. Gonorrhea is typically sexually transmitted, and survives well in the reproductive areas of the body. In women, gonorrhea can grow within the fallopian tubes, the cervix, the uterus and the urinary tract. In men, gonorrhea also develops within the urinary tract. In everyone, if the bacteria enter into the eyes, throat, anus and mouth, it can also thrive. Because gonorrhea is a disease that is very common in the United States, anyone who is sexually active should consider periodic STD testing for gonorrhea.

Chlamydia is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases in the world. It is estimated by the CDC that over one million Americans are infected at any given time, and 2.8 million are infected annually.  Chlamydia infection may appear asymptomatic for many carriers, though it can still cause damage.  Chlamydia infection is not limited to the genitalia for either sex. It can also be transmitted to the rectum, mouth or eyes, where it will cause inflamed tissues and possibly be spread to other parts of the body. Women with chlamydia may spontaneously transfer it to the rectum. The unborn are particularly at risk, a major reason that all hospital births include STD testing. During birth, babies are susceptible to lung and eye infections, and it is currently hypothesized that untreated infection can lead to premature birth.

• Syphillis (RPR)

Testing for Syphilis is performed with a Rapid Plasma Reagin (RPR) blood test and is critical in the early stages to avoid permanent and potentially deadly complications.

Syphilis is a fairly common STD caused by a type of bacteria called Treponema pallidum. This bacterium is primarily spread via sexual intercourse, but it can also be passed from mother to child during childbirth or pregnancy.  STD testing for Syphilis is done via a Rapid Plasma Reagin (RPR) blood test and fortunately this STD is treated easily and quickly with antibiotics if it is detected in its early stages. It is very important to seek out STD testing and treatment in the early stages to avoid permanent complications from this disease.

Occasionally, sufferers may also develop more severe side effects such as hepatitis, uveitis and even optic neuritis. If left untreated, the disease will typically clear up after 3 to 6 weeks. However, the infected person will often suffer a relapse with the disease returning in a more potent form known as Neurosyphilis. Neurosyphilis attacks the central nervous system and causes pain in the lower extremities, seizures, mental illness and cardiovascular issues.

• Hepatitis Panel

The Hepatitis Panel conveniently tests for all of the common types of hepatitis: Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C.

Hepatitis is inflammation of the liver. The most prevalent types are Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C.   Hepatitis can be acute, lasting less than six months, or chronic and persist throughout a person’s life. Over four million U.S. citizens have chronic hepatitis and many are unaware of their condition.

• Hepatitis A Antibody (Total)

Hepatitis A Antibody blood test measures the antibodies that indicate the presence of the Hepatitis A virus in your blood.

Hepatitis A is caused by the Hepatitis A Virus (HAV), typically localized in feces and transmitted through contaminated food or water. Other risk factors include intravenous drug use and anal intercourse.  The disease causes permanent liver damage in 10% to 15% of patients and can be fatal. Hepatitis A is an STD that needs to be identified early to minimize liver damage. 

• Hepatitis B Surface Antigen

The Hepatitis B Surface Antigen blood test detects antigens that are produced by the Hepatitis B Virus.

Hepatitis B is caused by the Hepatitis B Virus (HBV). Highest concentrations of this virus are in the blood, but it can also localize in semen, vaginal secretions and open wounds. Risk factors include:

• Blood-to-blood contact
• Contaminated needles
• Unprotected sex
• History of other STDs
• Birth mother with HBV

Hepatitis B symptoms appear six weeks to six months after exposure. The immune system can clear this virus or it can become chronic. Children younger than five are more likely than adults to become chronically infected. A chronic infection increases the possibility of the patient later developing cirrhosis or cancer.

Hepatitis C Antibody blood test measures the antibodies that indicate the presence of the Hepatitis C virus in your blood.  Hepatitis C is caused by an infection with the Hepatitis C Virus (HCV). This virus is transmitted primarily through blood. To transmit HCV, there must be blood-to-blood contact. HCV is more likely to become a chronic condition than Hepatitis A or Hepatitis B. If you have signs and symptoms of any form of hepatitis, you should order STD testing.