The Importance of STI Tests
Have you ever been curious about the prevalence and importance of STIs? Gravity Diagnostics offers STI Testing through urine or e-genital swab for the following STIs:
- Herpes Simplex Virus 1 & 2
- Chlamydia Trachomatis
- Gardnerella Vaginalis
- Ureaplasma Urealyticum
- Mycoplasma Genitalium
- Trichomonas Vaginalis
- Neisseria Gonorrhoeae
Gravity’s STI requisition form indicates the best patient population to test, and the back of the STI report contains the available CDC treatment guidelines for four different STIs. These guidelines make it easy for physicians to treat a positive result. There are certain types of physicians that have a greater need for STI testing:
Rehab/addiction
These patients are considered high-risk for STIs. The mind-altering effects that drugs have on a person can lead to risky sexual behavior, causing them to have a greater chance of being exposed to STIs. Drug abuse weakens the body’s immune system and makes users more likely to engage in risky behavior, such as unprotected sex or multiple sex partners. In 2016, injection drug abuse contributed to nearly 20 percent of recorded HIV cases among men.
Behavioral Health
Individuals with psychiatric disorders are at high risk for STIs. According to a recent study, patients with mental health disorders were more than 2 times as likely as other patients to have an STI (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15617367). A possible explanation for this is that behavioral health patients may have an increased sense of impulsivity, causing them to engage in risky sexual behavior.
OBGYN
According to the CDC, the bodies of young women aged 15-24 are biologically more prone to STIs. If left untreated, chlamydia and gonorrhea can make it difficult or impossible to get pregnant. Additionally, women who become infected with an STI can pass it to their baby during pregnancy.
Pain Management
Pain management patients may be on some type of narcotic or heavy-duty pain reliever, which could possibly lead to addiction. These patients may resort to risky sexual behavior as a result of the psychotropic effects of narcotics, or to attempt to alleviate pain.
More than 1 million STIs are acquired daily worldwide, and most symptoms lie dormant. Get tested!
About Gravity Diagnostics
Gravity Diagnostics is a full-service state-of-the-art CLIA laboratory licensed in all 50 states providing innovative laboratory testing including Infectious Diseases, Toxicology, and Pharmacogenomics. We are an advocate for physicians, patients, and our communities, supporting them with unsurpassed integrity, regulatory compliance, and clinical expertise. Our pledge to deliver the highest professional operating standards in the laboratory service industry coupled with ongoing research and support exemplifies our commitment to being provider engaged, patient-focused, and make the communities we serve a healthier place to live. Learn more about the work we are doing at gravitydiagnostics.com/media.