Testing for an STD doesn’t mean an individual has to wait to observe for some specific symptoms. Firstly, it’s essential to test for STDs regularly, regardless of other factors such as an individual’s sexual behavior. Many may argue that they play safe, and they don’t place themselves at the risk of infection. While this argument is valid, it doesn’t translate to 100% safety from an STD infection. Unless an individual is abstaining from every sexual activity, it’s essential to test for STIs.
It can be challenging to test for sexually transmitted infections regularly in a hospital. Many are afraid of being stigmatized for having regular STD tests. However, there’s a solution! One can use rapid STD test kits from companies such as Selfcollect at the comfort of their homes.
Not everybody is comfortable going to health clinics to get the testing for their sexual health. Moreover, fewer people will be open to talking about the fact that they want an STD test. That is why it will be much more convenient to get tested through private STD testing. This gives privacy and eliminates such negative factors as long waits, insensitive staff, etc.
Why have regular STD testing?
Individuals need to take regular tests if:
- They have a sexually active lifestyle.
- They have been exposed to an STI initially.
- They test positive for one STI.
- They are forced into sexual activity.
- They have multiple sexual partners.
Regular testing is essential in practicing safe sex, as well as reducing the risk of contracting or spreading an STI. Sometimes, some STDs initially come with minimal symptoms. The infected person may not know they are infected. Therefore, an individual may be spreading a sexually transmitted disease unknowingly.
Testing regularly will allow individuals to seek treatment before an infection advances. It’s important to understand that STDs generally affect the health of an individual. Some infections, such as HIV, affect the health of the individual in the long term. In addition, STDs, if they aren’t diagnosed on time, tend to lower the immune system of the human body.
The importance of an STD test also comes in handy in determining whether an individual may have a co-infection. A co-infection refers to a situation where an individual may be suffering from more than one STD. The test may, therefore, become regular but not for one specific STI.
Some STDs have similar symptoms to other diseases, and this may make it challenging to consider an STD test. However, if people consider regular STD testing, they reduce their chances of not knowing they may have an infection. Asymptomatic STDs, those that don’t show any symptoms, stay in the body long enough to allow other diseases to progress.
Many STDs are easily treatable, especially in their initial stages. The opportunity to identify the infections earlier in its stages lies in continuous random testing. Individuals who have a positive result in incurable diseases such as HIV can start medication as early as possible to boost longevity. There are several reasons as to why individuals, both men, and women, should test for STDs and treat them in their early stages. In addition, it reduces the risk of spreading infections. The above pointers show why it’s essential to take STD tests even in the absence of symptoms.