STD tests are available in a variety of forms. Some require urine tests while some require blood samples, while some may require a swab from the affected area or genitals. There are other options to get tested for STDs as well, you may require to visit a lab or do a home testing based on your convenience.
Even the tests available, are classified as per STDs (such as individual Herpes test, Chlamydia test, etc) or Full Test Panel for 10 Common STDs (which has a combination of STD tests).
Have you ever wondered why it is advised to get tested in a 10-test STD panel as against the individual STD test?
Let’s take a look at all the reasons why it is advised and a clever thing to go for a Full Test Panel for STDs, especially, if you do not have any STDs or getting tested for the first time.
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What is the 10-test panel in STD testing?
The 10-test STD panel or Full Test Panel for 10 Common STDs is a group of STD tests (as against individual tests) performed on the patient with symptoms. Usually, these tests consist of getting tested for common STIs such as Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Syphilis, Herpes, etc.
Getting tested in the panel saves cost and lets go of any possibility of missing any STD from getting tested. Even when you consult a Doctor for STD they prescribe/advise you to get tested for 10 test STD panels.
The types of STDs diagnosed in 10 Test STD panel are common STDs such as follows:
1) Chlamydia 2) Gonorrhea 3) Syphilis 4) Hepatitis B 5) Hepatitis C 6) Hepatitis A 7) HIV Antibody 8) HIV Antigen 9) Herpes Type I 10) Herpes Type2
So the big question remains, Why get tested for Full Test Panel for 10 Common STDs?
The following are the main reasons why it is always beneficial to get tested for STDs in the test panel.
1. Possibility of having 2 or more STDs
In an independent survey, it was found that the possibility of having two or more STDs is 37% out of all STD patients. This is because it’s possible to have two or more STDs at the same time. If you have one STD, you’re also at risk of getting another STD.
Some STDs increase your risk of getting other STDs. For example, having HIV makes it easier to get other STDs. Having HIV and another STD may increase the risk of HIV transmission.
Thus, a thorough diagnosis and treatment are necessary (even for the other STDs which otherwise would have remained undetected) and essential.
2. Some STDs have common symptoms
STDs can have similar symptoms, so it can be hard to know which STD an individual has.
Chlamydia and Syphilis Gonorrhea have similar symptoms and if the result comes out negative for either one of the STDs, one may not rule out chances of having another STD, especially when symptoms of STDs are similar.
Common symptoms of STDs include:
- Pain while urinating
- Unusual discharge from the penis or vagina
- Pain while having sex
- sores or bumps on the genitals or in the mouth
- unusual bleeding from the vagina
The above are common symptoms found in two or more STDs. Thus, collective testing of STD becomes essential, again, for further diagnosis and treatment.
3. Some STDs are Asymptomatic
Many STDs such as Chlamydia and Gonorrhea are asymptomatic in a few individuals. They show no signs and symptoms and people with asymptomatic STD symptoms may act as a spreader of the disease.
One may miss to detect the exact STD and thus that asymptomatic STD may remain undetected and the person suffering may turn out to be the spreader as he himself may not be aware of the contracting STD.
The only way to know for sure if you have an STD is to get tested in a full panel STD test.
4. Get tested for single STD tests only if the doctor advises
Go for an individual STD test only if the doctors advise you to do so. In many cases, doctors with their experience and expertise in the subject may prescribe the individual test.
If you think you might have an STD, see a doctor or other healthcare provider. Thus, It is always advised to go for full Panel STD testing when you have not consulted the doctor and decide to test yourself.
5. Panel STD tests save cost
Panel STD tests consist of a combination of 10 or more STDs. If you test individually for all the tests inside the panel test, it may cost you more than $300.
This arrangement costs a lot lesser than getting tested individually for every STD. The STD panel test costs $139 for 10 STD testing options
What do they look out for in STDs?
In the 10 test panel STD, they conduct the following tests on men and women to detect STD(for the Testing by CLIA approved lab: LabCorp or Quest Diagnostics)
1. Chlamydia: This urine test may be used to detect the bacteria that causes chlamydia infection within 1 to 5 days of exposure.
2. Gonorrhea — This urine test may be used to detect the bacteria that causes gonorrhea infection within 1 to 5 days of exposure.
3, 4. HIV — Detects antibodies and antigens created by your immune system to help detect HIV.
5. Hepatitis B Surface Antigen — Detects antigens to hepatitis B to screen for active infection.
6, 7. Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) Types 1 & 2 — Detects antibodies the body produces in response to herpes.
8. Hepatitis C Virus HCV Antibody — Measures the level of hepatitis C antibodies to screen for infection with the hepatitis C virus.
9. Hepatitis A Antibody, IgM — This test measures the level of Hepatitis A IgM antibodies in the blood.
10.T. Pallidum Syphilis Screening — Detects T. Pallidum (Treponema Pallidum) antibodies that the body develops in response to infections such as syphilis.
There is another Panel test that comes with All the STD tests stated above + HIV RNA test. (HIV RNA test is used for the fast detection of HIV)
HIV RNA test can be taken after 6 days of exposure and conclusively detect an HIV infection as early as 9-11 days after exposure
The cost of an STD 10 test panel + HIV RNA test (for early detection) comes to around $259
You can save $10 on whichever test you perform using our $10 discount coupon link.
Many STDs can be cured with antibiotics. The sooner you get treated, the lesser the trouble and suffering. Also, if you have an STD, it’s important to tell your partner tested so they can begin the treatment if necessary. So get tested at the STD testing center near you. It’s also important to practice safe sex, which means using condoms every time you have sex.
Thus, the above-stated reasons rightfully justify why the STD Panel Test is recommended over Individual STD tests.
Reference
1. A Longitudinal Study of First-Year College Women: Para 3, Annexure 4, table 2 2. Awareness and knowledge of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) among school-going adolescents in Europe: https://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1471-2458-11-727
