Gonorrhea Urine Test (NAAT):

• Who should get this test: Patients with symptoms of gonorrhea such as painful urination, abnormal discharge from the genitals, or pelvic pain, individuals with risk factors for gonorrhea such as multiple sexual partners, unprotected sex, or history of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), or those undergoing routine STI screening without specific symptoms.

• What's included in the test: Nucleic Acid Amplification Test (NAAT) detects the genetic material of the gonorrhea bacteria in urine samples, providing highly accurate results for diagnosing gonorrhea infections.

• Why someone would check this test: To diagnose gonorrhea infection, especially in asymptomatic individuals or those at higher risk of STIs, to prevent the spread of the infection to sexual partners, to guide treatment decisions, or to screen for gonorrhea as part of routine STI testing, particularly when genital symptoms are present or suspected.

Chlamydia Urine Test (NAAT):

• Who should get this test: Patients with symptoms of chlamydia such as abnormal genital discharge, painful urination, or pelvic pain, individuals with risk factors for chlamydia such as multiple sexual partners, unprotected sex, or history of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), or those undergoing routine STI screening without specific symptoms.

• What's included in the test: Nucleic Acid Amplification Test (NAAT) detects the genetic material of the chlamydia bacteria in urine samples, providing highly accurate results for diagnosing chlamydia infections.

• Why someone would check this test: To diagnose chlamydia infection, especially in asymptomatic individuals or those at higher risk of STIs, to prevent the spread of the infection to sexual partners, to guide treatment decisions, or to screen for chlamydia as part of routine STI testing, particularly when genital symptoms are present or suspected.

HIV Blood Test (HIV Antibody Test):

• Who should get this test: Patients with risk factors for HIV infection such as unprotected sex, sharing needles or syringes, or having a partner with HIV, individuals with symptoms of acute HIV infection such as fever, fatigue, swollen lymph nodes, or rash, or those undergoing routine HIV screening, especially in high-risk populations like men who have sex with men, intravenous drug users, or individuals from regions with high HIV prevalence.

• What's included in the test: The HIV Antibody Test detects antibodies produced by the immune system in response to HIV infection. Some tests also detect HIV antigens or viral RNA.

• Why someone would check this test: To diagnose HIV infection, particularly in individuals with symptoms suggestive of acute HIV infection or risk factors for HIV exposure, to prevent transmission to sexual partners or unborn babies, to initiate early treatment and care for HIV-infected individuals, or to screen for HIV as part of routine STI testing or prenatal care.

 
Syphilis RPR Test (Rapid Plasma Reagin):

• Who should get this test: Patients with symptoms of syphilis such as painless sores or ulcers on the genitals, mouth, or anus, rash on the body, swollen lymph nodes, or flu-like symptoms, individuals with risk factors for syphilis such as unprotected sex, multiple sexual partners, or history of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), or those undergoing routine STI screening without specific symptoms.

• What's included in the test: The RPR test detects antibodies produced by the immune system in response to the syphilis bacteria (Treponema pallidum). It involves mixing a blood sample with a substance containing cardiolipin antigen to see if it forms clumps (agglutination), indicating the presence of antibodies.

• Why someone would check this test: To screen for syphilis infection, particularly in individuals with symptoms suggestive of syphilis or risk factors for syphilis exposure, to prevent transmission to sexual partners or unborn babies, to initiate early treatment and care for syphilis-infected individuals, or to confirm a suspected diagnosis of syphilis in conjunction with other laboratory tests.

Hepatitis Panel

• Who Should Get This: Patients with symptoms like jaundice, abdominal pain, fatigue, or nausea, individuals with risk factors such as intravenous drug use, unprotected sex with multiple partners, or exposure to infected blood or body fluids, those undergoing routine screening for liver disease, or individuals with known liver abnormalities may undergo this test.

• What's included in the test: The panel includes tests for hepatitis viruses such as hepatitis A, B, and C. The tests detect specific antibodies, antigens, or genetic material (RNA or DNA) of the viruses in the blood.

• Why someone would check this test: The hepatitis panel helps in diagnosing acute or chronic hepatitis infections and determining the specific virus causing the infection. Early detection is crucial as hepatitis infections can lead to liver damage, cirrhosis, liver failure, or even liver cancer if left untreated. Screening is also important for individuals at high risk of hepatitis to initiate timely treatment, prevent transmission, and reduce the burden of liver-related complications.

Herpes Blood Test

• Who Should Get This: Patients with symptoms like genital ulcers, painful urination, or flu-like symptoms, individuals with a history of unprotected sex or multiple sexual partners, those with suspected herpes infection, or individuals undergoing routine STI screening may consider this test.

• What's included in the test: The test typically detects antibodies produced by the body in response to herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection, specifically HSV-1 and HSV-2. It can be done using a blood sample obtained from a vein in the arm.

• Why someone would check this test: The herpes blood test helps in diagnosing herpes infections, especially when there are no visible symptoms or when symptoms are atypical. It aids in identifying the type of herpes virus (HSV-1 or HSV-2) causing the infection and provides information about past or recent infection. Early detection is crucial for initiating treatment, managing symptoms, preventing transmission to others, and reducing the risk of complications such as recurrent outbreaks or neonatal herpes in pregnant women.

Important notes:

• Above are simplified explanations of lab tests. Interpreting Lab tests requires a healthcare professional's expertise.

• Never adjust medication based on self-diagnosis or internet information.

• Always discuss your health and test results with your doctor.

Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Please consult your healthcare professional for diagnosis and treatment.

Chlamydia Urine Test (NAAT):

• Who should get this test: Patients with symptoms of chlamydia such as abnormal genital discharge, painful urination, or pelvic pain, individuals with risk factors for chlamydia such as multiple sexual partners, unprotected sex, or history of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), or those undergoing routine STI screening without specific symptoms.

• What's included in the test: Nucleic Acid Amplification Test (NAAT) detects the genetic material of the chlamydia bacteria in urine samples, providing highly accurate results for diagnosing chlamydia infections.

• Why someone would check this test: To diagnose chlamydia infection, especially in asymptomatic individuals or those at higher risk of STIs, to prevent the spread of the infection to sexual partners, to guide treatment decisions, or to screen for chlamydia as part of routine STI testing, particularly when genital symptoms are present or suspected.

HIV Blood Test (HIV Antibody Test):

• Who should get this test: Patients with risk factors for HIV infection such as unprotected sex, sharing needles or syringes, or having a partner with HIV, individuals with symptoms of acute HIV infection such as fever, fatigue, swollen lymph nodes, or rash, or those undergoing routine HIV screening, especially in high-risk populations like men who have sex with men, intravenous drug users, or individuals from regions with high HIV prevalence.

• What's included in the test: The HIV Antibody Test detects antibodies produced by the immune system in response to HIV infection. Some tests also detect HIV antigens or viral RNA.

• Why someone would check this test: To diagnose HIV infection, particularly in individuals with symptoms suggestive of acute HIV infection or risk factors for HIV exposure, to prevent transmission to sexual partners or unborn babies, to initiate early treatment and care for HIV-infected individuals, or to screen for HIV as part of routine STI testing or prenatal care.

Syphilis RPR Test (Rapid Plasma Reagin):

• Who should get this test: Patients with symptoms of syphilis such as painless sores or ulcers on the genitals, mouth, or anus, rash on the body, swollen lymph nodes, or flu-like symptoms, individuals with risk factors for syphilis such as unprotected sex, multiple sexual partners, or history of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), or those undergoing routine STI screening without specific symptoms.

• What's included in the test: The RPR test detects antibodies produced by the immune system in response to the syphilis bacteria (Treponema pallidum). It involves mixing a blood sample with a substance containing cardiolipin antigen to see if it forms clumps (agglutination), indicating the presence of antibodies.

• Why someone would check this test: To screen for syphilis infection, particularly in individuals with symptoms suggestive of syphilis or risk factors for syphilis exposure, to prevent transmission to sexual partners or unborn babies, to initiate early treatment and care for syphilis-infected individuals, or to confirm a suspected diagnosis of syphilis in conjunction with other laboratory tests.

Hepatitis Panel

• Who Should Get This: Patients with symptoms like jaundice, abdominal pain, fatigue, or nausea, individuals with risk factors such as intravenous drug use, unprotected sex with multiple partners, or exposure to infected blood or body fluids, those undergoing routine screening for liver disease, or individuals with known liver abnormalities may undergo this test.

• What's included in the test: The panel includes tests for hepatitis viruses such as hepatitis A, B, and C. The tests detect specific antibodies, antigens, or genetic material (RNA or DNA) of the viruses in the blood.

• Why someone would check this test: The hepatitis panel helps in diagnosing acute or chronic hepatitis infections and determining the specific virus causing the infection. Early detection is crucial as hepatitis infections can lead to liver damage, cirrhosis, liver failure, or even liver cancer if left untreated. Screening is also important for individuals at high risk of hepatitis to initiate timely treatment, prevent transmission, and reduce the burden of liver-related complications.

Herpes Blood Test

• Who Should Get This: Patients with symptoms like genital ulcers, painful urination, or flu-like symptoms, individuals with a history of unprotected sex or multiple sexual partners, those with suspected herpes infection, or individuals undergoing routine STI screening may consider this test.

• What's included in the test: The test typically detects antibodies produced by the body in response to herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection, specifically HSV-1 and HSV-2. It can be done using a blood sample obtained from a vein in the arm.

• Why someone would check this test: The herpes blood test helps in diagnosing herpes infections, especially when there are no visible symptoms or when symptoms are atypical. It aids in identifying the type of herpes virus (HSV-1 or HSV-2) causing the infection and provides information about past or recent infection. Early detection is crucial for initiating treatment, managing symptoms, preventing transmission to others, and reducing the risk of complications such as recurrent outbreaks or neonatal herpes in pregnant women.