sexually transmitted diseases
Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are a class of infections that can be found in bodily fluids and are mainly transmitted through sexual contact.
Frequent screening for sexually transmitted diseases is important as they present few, mild or no symptoms, but also to protect health and maintain a quality sex life. Regular screening aims to provide timely and effective treatment in case of infection.
The most common STIs are hepatitis, HIV, syphilis, chlamydia and gonorrhoea.
Hepatitis B and C
It is an inflammatory disease of the liver caused by hepatitis B and C virus respectively. It is transmitted through unprotected sexual contact with an infected person, vertical transmission from a pregnant woman to her foetus, either by blood transfusion or by sharing needles or personal items. The infection may be asymptomatic or have mild symptoms (anorexia, nausea, vomiting, fatigue and low-grade fever) and may develop into chronic hepatocellular disease, causing serious complications such as cirrhosis and liver cancer.
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) -AIDS
It is a disease that causes a disturbance in the immune system and weakens the body's ability to fight infections and diseases. The infection leads to the development of unexpected infections or even neoplasms. It is mainly transmitted through sexual contact. At first there may be no symptoms, but carriers of the virus can transmit it. Symptoms associated with opportunistic infections, tumours or neurological conditions may occur.
Genital herpes (HSV)
It is a disease that appears on the skin and mucous membranes in the form of blisters. There are two serotypes of the herpes virus, HSV-1 which mainly affects the perioral area, and HSV-2 which mainly affects the genitals. The course of the infection lasts
about 15 days, and during this time herpes can be transmitted to the sexual partner of the sufferer. After the first infection, it remains in the body in a latent form, without the ability to transmit, and reappears when the immune system is weak.
Microbial causes of genital tract infections are:
Chlamydia, ureoplasma, mycoplasma, trichomonas, candida albicans, treponema (syphilis), Gardnerella vaginalis, haemophilus ducreyi.
In our laboratory we have the ability to test with the molecular method in a simple urine sample 13 sexually transmitted diseases, as far as hepatitis and HIV testing is done with a blood sample, either with molecular testing for faster and more valid diagnosis or with antibody testing.
Molecular testing of sexually transmitted diseases with urine sample
With a simple urine sample we can test with the most reliable and highly sensitive method, the molecular 13 sexually transmitted diseases: chlamydia, ureoplasma, mycoplasma, trichomonas, herpes 1, 2, candida albicans, treponema (syphilis), Gardnerella vaginalis, haemophilus ducreyi.
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