Conventionally, men get blood tests when a doctor recommends them but in the case for STD tests for men, it may be a more private matter. Ordering a std tests for men usually happens at the conclusion of an office visit. Nowadays however, people have begun deciding for themselves which lab tests to get and when to get them. With the increase in our sexual inhibitions, riskier sex has increased the amount of STD testing.
People have different reasons for making such independent decisions to have STD testing performed especially STD tests for men. The most widely understood reason for STD testing is due to the unknown about a questionable sex partner. Direct Access Testing or what can be known as direct to consumer lab testing websites have made it very easy for consumers to utilize std testing without having to see a physician and endure the embarrassment of telling their doctor about unprotected sex.
The most common std tests for men that are ordered are:
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Chlamydia/Gonorrhea Test (NAA) Urine
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Hepatitis B Surface Antigen
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Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Antibody
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Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) Type 1-Specific Antibodies, IgG
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Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) Type 2-Specific Antibodies, IgG
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Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) Types 1 and 2, IgG
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Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV), Types 1 and 2, IgM
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Syphilis Test (RPR)
For men, one of the most commonly ordered STD tests for men is the syphilis test. Syphilis test which is a very common std test for men detects antibodies of the bacteria that causes syphillis (Treponema pallidum) in blood, body fluid, or tissue. This STD tests for men is used to screen for or to confirm a syphilis infection. Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) that is usually spread during sexual contact, including kissing or oral sex. A syphilis infection can spread through the bloodstream to all parts of the body. If not treated, syphilis can cause severe heart disease, brain damage, spinal cord damage, blindness, and death.
The most common STD tests for men is the screening for the Herpes Simplex virus. Herpes simplex testing is performed to identify an acute herpes infection or to detect herpes antibodies, an indication of a previous exposure to herpes. One of the most common viral infections, herpes simplex virus (HSV) exists as two main types, HSV-1 and HSV-2. Both types are contagious and periodically cause small fever blisters (vesicles) that break to form open lesions. HSV-1 primarily causes blisters or "cold sores" around the oral cavity and mouth, while HSV-2 usually causes lesions around the genital area; however, either one can affect the oral or genital area.
The herpes simplex virus can be passed from person to person through skin contact while the sores are open and healing and sometimes asymptomatically when there are no visible sores. HSV-2 is frequently a sexually transmitted disease, but HSV-1 also may be acquired during oral sex and found in the genital area. According to the American Social Health Association and their National Herpes Resource Center, about 50% to 80% of adults in the U.S. have HSV-1 and about 20% have HSV-2. Because symptoms may be mild, 90% of those who have HSV-2 may be unaware that they have been infected.
It’s important to know that consumers can utilize direct to consumer testing by ordering std tests for men through various online websites that offer this service. These Web-based companies permit consumers to order STD tests for men online. They contract with national laboratories like LabCorp to draw the blood and run the test. The firms usually have staff physicians that sign orders for tests without ever seeing patients. They also help consumers interpret the results, for example by emailing them with recommendations to see a doctor if their results fall outside normal ranges and by phoning anyone whose results suggest a serious abnormality. With STD tests for men, physicians usually place phone calls to consumers to review any positive results. With STD testing, we are dealing with either a bacterial infection or a viral infection. Bacterial infections are much easier to identify when compared to viruses. In most cases, virus testing is usually looking at the antibodies or antigens that your body produces against the virus. With both the physical symptoms and the virus antibody/antigen testing performed, physicians can better determine ones STD status. With STD tests for men, it’s always wise to review your lab testing results with a licensed physician.