Glossary of common STD testing terms
As there is quite a bit of technical medical terminology that comes with STD testing, the below guide should help you understand all that comes with your test and results.
Acute
An acute illness or symptom is one that has a very quick lifecycle - it not only onsets quickly, but also leaves the body quickly. Just because an illness or symptom is acute and therefore leaves quickly, it does not mean it can only be a mild illness - acute cases can also be quite severe in some instances.
Antibodies
Antibodies are proteins that are found in blood or other bodily fluids, and are used by the immune system to both identify and fight off foreign objects, such as bacteria and viruses. When a disease or virus enters the body, your immune system produces these antibodies which can help to neutralize the infection.
Antigen
An antigen is a molecule that binds itself to an antibody, helping to stimulate the production of additional antibodies and, ultimately, fight off infection.
Chronic
An acute medical condition can mean two things: either that the illness developed slowly, or that the illness is a long-lasting and recurring condition. Chronic diseases are recurrent and therefore relapse repeatedly, with periods of remission in between each onset.
Condom
A condom is a latex barrier device used during sexual intercourse, helping to reduce the likelihood of pregnancy and spreading of sexually transmitted diseases. The latex barrier is put on a man's erect penis and blocks ejaculated semen from entering the body of a sexual partner.
Cure
In simple terms, a "cure" is the end of a medical condition - its resolution. In regards to STDs, this refers to the treatment that ultimately ends the medical condition. Examples of curable STD infections are Chlamydia and Gonorrhea, which can be cured with prescribed medication.
Dental Dam
Dental dams are comprised of latex and are used during cunnilingus (vaginal oral sex) and analingus (anal oral sex) to protect against the transmission of sexually transmitted diseases and infections. The dental dam is held over the vulva or anus, allowing for oral stimulation of these areas without the transmission of bodily fluids.
Diagnosis
A diagnosis is the process of determining an actual infection or disease. This can be done through several different types of exams and/or medical procedures.
Equivocal
"Equivocal" means the rest is neither strongly positive nor strongly negative. Re-testing would be recommended for a determinate result.
False negative
A "false negative" result means that your STD test determined there was no sign of infection, while infection is actually present. If you think you may have returned a false negative on any test, please contact one of our on-call STD counselors at 877-206-6915 to review your test results, and discuss potential next steps.
False positive
A "false positive" result means that your STD test determined there was sing of an infection, while there is actually no infection present in the body. If you think you may have returned a false positive on any test, please contact one of our on-call STD counselors at 877-206-6915 to review your test results, discuss your symptoms, and evaluate any potential next steps.
Indeterminate
"Indeterminate" means that an STD test result is neither strongly positive nor strongly negative. In most cases, this refers to a HIV test result, which can be skewed by the presence of other infections or diseases. In the case of an indeterminate result, we recommend re-testing. If you happen to return an indeterminate result, please contact one of our on-call STD counselors at 877-206-6915.
Negative
A negative test result means that no sign of infection was found.
Non-reactive
A negative test result means that no sign of infection was found.
Reference Range
The reference range indicates what is in the positive, negative, indeterminate or equivocal ranges for any STD test results.
Positive
Signs of infection were detected during the test. In the event of a positive test result, we recommend you taking advantage of the getSTDtested.com services already included in the price of your test:
- On-Call Experts: Our on-call STD Experts and counselors are trained to discuss your results, symptoms, and any other concerns you may have. All discussion are 100% confidential. To speak with an expert, please call: 877-206-6915.
- On-Call Physician: Our on-call Medical Physician can help evaluate your STD symptoms, discuss your results and, in many cases prescribe treatment. To schedule an appointment with our on-call medical physician, please call us at 877-206-6915.
- Peer to Peer Forum: Visit our online public forum at http://getstdtested.com/forum/ where you will find valuable information from our STD experts, and peer support from people just like you.
Reflex Tests
A "reflex test" is a second test that is performed to verify the results of the first test. A "reflex test" is performed on the same sample as the first test.
Screenings
"Screening" is another term for an STD test. To be "screened" for STDs and STIs means to be tested for STDs and STIs.
Seroconversion
Seroconversion is the process by which your body develops antibodies to help fight off infection. For all diseases, it takes time to develop enough antibodies to register on an STD test. This time between infection and when an STD is actually determinable on a test is referred to as a "window period". The window period for infection differs for each STD (sexually transmitted disease) or STI (sexually transmitted infection). For example, the time required for Seroconversion (or the Window Period) for HIV is normally 1 to 3 months (although, in some cases, it can be as short as 2 weeks).
Treatment
While some STDs can actually be cured, there are others that can only be treated and never fully cured. For example, there is currently no cure for Herpes, yet there are several treatments available (such as Valtrex) which can help minimize the number of outbreaks and their severity.
Questions and Answers
Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are illnesses that are brought on by an infection being transferred from one person to another while in sexual contact. With distinct types of STDs, there is a wide selection of several symptoms for all of these infections.
There is an old joke about a man who felt he had symptoms of STD. Too bashful to have himself tested, he waited until he couldn’t stand the itching in his organs any more. He finally went to a doctor. The doctor gave him a check up and said, “The infection is too bad, you will need a lot of medication.”
You know the saying: “If it doesn’t itch, don’t scratch!” It can be a euphemism of the word “procrastinate”. Just because it doesn’t itch, it doesn’t mean you’re not infected. And just because it doesn’t itch, you shouldn’t have it checked. That little itch could just be the sign of STD. That little bump on the skin, even if it doesn’t itch, could be a deadly sore called Chancre.
In this day and age, sexual awareness usually begins with the young females. Since the female body tends to mature far earlier than the males, the reproductive system of young women are capable of bearing children when she has already experienced her first menstruation. This is also why at such a young age women may already be experienced sexually. Being so, this puts women at even more risk of acquiring numerous Sexually Transmitted Diseases or STDs.
STD stands for Sexually Transmitted Disease. STD,s get transmitted through sexual intercourse.
You know the stating "If it does not itch, do not scratch!" It could be a euphemism on the phrase "procrastinate". Just because it doesn't itch, it does not imply you are not infected. And simply because it does not itch, you shouldn't have it checked. That tiny itch could just be the signal of STD. That small bump around the pores and skin, even when it does not itch, may be a lethal sore termed Chancre.
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Tomas, a 34 year of carpenter, went to see his girl friend of six months at the end of a hard day. Noticing a strange car in the driveway, he peered into her window with some curiosity. He saw her having sexual relations with another man. Enraged, Tomas went home and returned with his shotgun.
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