What are sexually transmitted diseases?
Sexually transmitted disease (STDs), commonly known as venereal diseases, are infections that are spread primarily through person-to-person sexual contact including vaginal, anal and oral sex. The organisms causing STDs can also be spread through non-sexual means such as blood transfer. Common STDs such as chlamydia, gonorrhoeae, HSV2 and syphilis—can also be transmitted from mother to child during pregnancy and childbirth. Around one million people worldwide develop sexually transmitted diseases every day, and most of them do not have any symptoms at an early stage.
More than half of those tested for STDs were infected with a single and multiple disease sources. During the incubation period, the source of STDs will be easily transmitted to sexual partners, thus causing multiple infections.
What happens if sexually transmitted diseases are not treated?
People tend to overlook the asymptomatic pathogens when they are co-infected with symptomatic ones. While the ones with symptoms are treated, the asymptomatic ones are usually left unnoticed, leading to serious consequences, e.g., premature labour, still-births, pelvic inflammatory disease, prostate cancer, eye infection in new-born baby, infertility etc. If not treated properly, some STIs can lead to serious health problems and increase your chances of getting HIV by 300 times.
What is the test for?
This test detects a wide range of STD pathogens (including Chlamydia Trachomatis, Neisseria Gonorrhoeae, Herpes Simplex Virus 1, Herpes Simplex Virus 2, Mycoplasma Genitalium, Mycoplasma Hominis, Ureaplasma Urealyticum, Ureaplasma Parvum, Treponema Pallidum, Trichomonas Vaginalis, Candida Albicans, Gardnerella Vaginalis). Test request can target on any single or combination of the above pathogens based on clinical need.
Who should consider the test?
| Sexually active individual | |
| People who have unprotected sex | |
| People who have multi sex partner | |
| People who have persistent STD infection | |
| People who start sexual activities at an early age | |
| People who use alcohol or drugs |
How to request a test?
Please consult your physician for test referral and fill in our test request form. The test request form can be obtained from your physician / clinic or from us.
Sample requirements and handling instruction
| Sample Type | Pre-sampling Preparation | Sample Collection |
|---|---|---|
| Urine | Patient is advised not to urinate for at least two hours prior to specimen collection | Collect 10 - 30 ml of first void urine in a clean container and close tightly |
| Swab | No particular requirement | Dacron-, rayon- or calcium alginate-tipped plastic or non-aluminum swabs can be used |
| Liquid-based cytology specimen | No particular requirement | Samples should be collected using a cervical broom and placed in liquid-based cytology preservative |
Sample storage and transportation
For samples collected at physician / clinic sites, our company courier would come to collect the samples to our laboratory. For temporary storage before our courier collection, please store the sample at 2-8oC.
Test Method
The assay utilizes multiplex Real-time PCR for the qualitative detection of STDs in urine, swab and Liquid-based cytology specimens.
Policy in protection personal information
The laboratory abides the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance (Cap. 486) (“PDPO”) in relation to the collection, holding, processing, use and / or transfer of personal data. Details should refer to the terms and conditions in the test request form.
Test turnaround time
3 working days.
Reporting policy
The test report would be issued to your referral physician. Please contact your physician for proper clinical consultation.
Sample rejection policy
The collected sample could be subjected to rejection due to the following reasons and a recollection of sample is suggested:
| requestor’s personal identifier issues (e.g., no identifier, unmatched or partial identifier); | |
| delayed, aged specimen; | |
| sample leakage; | |
| insufficient sample volume/amount; | |
| inappropriate container; or | |
| inappropriate storage, handling, or transportation conditions. |
Factors affecting test performance
| Test result accuracy could be interfered by improperly collected, transported or handled of specimens and the possible presence of inhibitors. | |
| The detection of STDs nucleic acids could be affected by the collection timing and so as the viral/bacterial load during infections. |