When thinking about our health, many of us fail to consider that we may have sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). STDs are more common than you might think. According to statistics from the Department of STI Control in Singapore, the top two STDs in Singapore in 2018 were Chlamydia, with 2,719 cases diagnosed and Gonorrhoea, with 2,051 cases diagnosed. These statistics show us that the number of STD cases may not be as small as we might expect them to be. Sexual health experts recommend that you get STD testing frequently – at least once a year if you are sexually active, to ensure that you are healthy and free of STDs. Here are three STDs that you should be tested for at least once a year.
Chlamydia
Chlamydia is a bacterial STD that is common because it is often asymptomatic. That is, many patients who have Chlamydia do not know that they have it as they may not display symptoms of the STD. Instead, the STD simply inhibits the body until symptoms are exhibited. Some common symptoms of chlamydia include painful urination, discharge from the vagina or penis and painful sexual intercourse. Because the infection sometimes does not display symptoms, STD testing is sometimes the only way to detect this infection. Chlamydia is thus one of the most important STDs to get tested for during your yearly STD tests. Fortunately, Chlamydia can be cured using antibiotics, so detecting chlamydia in the body is the first step to getting rid of this STD.
Gonorrhoea
Gonorrhoea is another bacterial STD. Symptoms of gonorrhoea may appear in the genital tract, causing painful urination or pus-like discharge. However, gonorrhoea may not only infect the reproductive system, but may also infect other parts of the body, such as the rectum, eyes and throat. Gonorrhoea is similar to chlamydia in that it can also be asymptomatic, revealing itself through STD testing. Often, gonorrhoea and chlamydia tests can be taken together, as both these STDs have similar symptoms. Tests for such STDs are usually done using a swab from a patient’s urethra (men) or cervix (women). If the gonorrhoea infection is suspected to happen elsewhere, a sample may be taken from a suspected area of infection instead. A urine sample will also be necessary for the STD testing procedure to be complete.
HIV
Tests for the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) are perhaps the most vital in ensuring your physical health as HIV is an STD that can severely weaken the body’s immune system, making it susceptible to common infections. Currently, there is no known method to cure HIV, though medicines are available to suppress the effects of the virus in the body. This STD testing involves taking a sample of the patient’s blood and detecting the antibodies and antigens that the body produces in response to the virus. Early access to medications is vital for an HIV patient, and so frequent HIV testing is a key part of maintaining our health.
Conclusion
STD testing is an important part of our sexual and overall health. To book an appointment for STD testing, please contact Elyon Clinic at 6802 7208.
