When you’re worried about the prospect of having an STD, it’s easy to look at the world of medical tests and get a little confused.
But Better2Know is here to demystify the world of STD testing and make it easy for everyone involved.
The PCR test is one of the main screening tools we use to detect STDs. But how does it work?
Keep reading to find out.
Worried about STDs? Make an appointment at a sexual health clinic near you.
What are STDs?
To understand how we test for STDs, you need to understand what STDs are in their most basic form.
Sexually transmitted infections (STDs) are infections that are transmitted between people mainly through sexual contact. This can refer to a range of activities, including vaginal, anal and oral sex, along with sharing sex toys. During these activities, contaminated body fluids come into contact with mucous membranes or blood, thereby transferring the infection.
Other acts can also spread certain infections, such as foreplay, genital touching, kissing, and more.
While sexual activity is the primary method of infection, the infections themselves do not discriminate in how they are transmitted. Some STIs can be spread through blood-to-blood contact, such as blood transfusions, needlestick injuries, and sharing drug needles.
What is a PCR test?
One of the main forms of testing for STDs is the PCR test.
PCR (polymerase chain reaction) testing is a form of NAAT (nucleic acid amplification) testing that uses thermal cycling procedures and enzymes to detect pathogens in a provided sample.
A sample – usually a blood, urine or swab sample – is taken from the patient. A thermal cycler heats and cools the sample several times while primers and polymerase enzymes are added at different stages.
This creates conditions for the DNA of the pathogen in question to replicate millions (or sometimes billions) of times to reach detectable levels. The DNA is then detected using fluorescent tubes or dyes.
In this way, instead of testing for markers of an infection, as with an antibody test, a PCR test can detect the actual presence of the virus, bacteria, or parasites within the sample.
Why do we use the PCR test for STDs?
PCR tests accurately detect even small amounts of genetic material in a given sample. This is why we use them to test for many infections caused by bacteria, viruses and parasites.
When should I have a PCR test?
If you think you may have been exposed to an STD, you may want to consider having a PCR test. However, it is also very important to know never to be tested.
There is a time lag between when you are infected and when an infection can be reliably detected in a test. This is known as the incubation period.
The length of an incubation period depends on the infection, but also on the test method used.
Since PCR tests look for the actual genetic material of the infected organism, this method usually enjoys a shorter incubation period than other alternative tests.
Knowing as soon as possible if you are infected is always best, allowing you to start treatment and stop the damage the infection will cause. Some infections can be detected after a few days, while others may take several weeks.
Which STDs can be detected with a PCR test?
Here are some STDs that can be detected by PCR testing:
NOTE: While many infections can be detected through a PCR test, some infections can be detected more quickly with other tests, such as antibody or antigen tests. PCR tests can only detect current infections, so they can’t tell you if you’ve had an infection in the past.
Final thoughts
If you’re worried about an STD, we want to make sure you get the right test.
Click the button below to start an online STD test booking at a sexual health clinic near you.
You can also call the number at the top of this page to speak to one of our specialist sexual health advisors. They can tell you about your condition, make an appointment and help you choose a test that will meet your needs.
Don’t leave your sexual health to chance. Try Better2Know today.
