Today, STD testing in Singapore exists in all shapes and forms—from traditional urine/blood tests to modern saliva tests. The common STD testing methods include:

• Blood Tests – mostly used for syphilis, hepatitis B & C, HIV, chlamydia, and gonorrhea. This test checks a blood sample for signs of infection with these STDs.
• Urine Tests – the most common STD testing method used for chlamydia, gonorrhea, Trichomoniasis, Candida overgrowth & herpes simplex 1/2. A small amount of urine is collected. The sample is sent to a lab where it can detect antibodies or antigens in the urine that are associated with STDs.
• Saliva Test – this STD testing method looks for exposure to herpes simplex 1/2, hepatitis B, and HIV in the oral fluids – like saliva. A swab is dabbed in the mouth and sent to a laboratory for testing.
• Swab Tests – STD testing using vaginal or anal swabs. This method looks for exposure to chlamydia and gonorrhea. A small sample of cells from inside the vagina or anus is collected with a swab that is sent to a lab for processing.
• Nucleic Acid Amplification Test (NAAT) – this kind of STD test can be completed at home, at pharmacies, and in clinics without requiring lab work. It checks blood, urine, or other body fluid samples for signs of chlamydia, gonorrhea, or Trichomoniasis.
• Culture Tests – used to check for chlamydia, gonorrhea, and other bacterial STDs. A sample is collected from the cervix or urethra by a clinician and sent to a laboratory, where it’s grown in a petri dish over time. The growth reveals which bacteria are present. Other kinds of culture tests are available but are less common.
• Physical Examination – this approach involves visual inspection of the external genitalia, vagina, urethra, anus, anal canal, rectum, and throat for signs of infection.

What Should I get tested for?

When it comes to determining the ideal STD testing in Singapore for you, there are several factors that influence the decision. Typical questions that will guide the right STD tests for you include;

• Do you have symptoms?

If you show signs of an STD, then it’s important to get tested for that specific infection. For example, if you notice painful urination or irritation in your genital area, itching in your pubic hair or around your anus, sores on the skin around your genitals, or painful blisters on your scalp and face after sexual contact with another person – these are all signs of infection and should be checked by a medical professional to determine what’s causing them. However, sometimes people don’t experience any symptoms at all even though they have contracted an STD. If this is the case for you, it can be hard to know what kind of testing you should do; there may not be visible clues that point to a specific infection.

• Have you been exposed to someone who has an STD? 

If you have recently been exposed to a person infected with a specific type of STD, it’s important that you get tested for the same one. For example, if you have hooked up with a new partner and they turn out to have chlamydia or gonorrhea, then it’s likely your doctor will recommend testing for those infections as well. In cases where you are exposed to more than one STD, your doctor might perform different tests for each type of STI.

• What kind of sex do you have?

The risk of contracting an STD is greater with some sexual activities than others. If you are having vaginal intercourse, it’s important to get tested for chlamydia and gonorrhea. If you are involved in anal or oral sex, then testing for syphilis, herpes, hepatitis B & C, HIV, and Trichomoniasis should be considered.

• Are you pregnant?

If you are sexually active, then there’s always a chance that you might become pregnant. This changes things since if this happens; knowing whether one of the parents has an STD becomes important information that can affect everyone involved. For example, if your partner is infected with something like genital herpes or hepatitis C, then prenatal care will be more complicated – both mother and her unborn child are at risk of infection.

• Are you trying to get pregnant?

If you plan to become pregnant, it’s important that both you and your partner take steps to protect yourself from STDs that could be passed along to the fetus. If one of you has an STD, it might seem like a good idea to simply stop using condoms … but this is not always safe since some infections can still pass through skin-to-skin contact. For example, herpes or human Papillomavirus (HPV) can lead to dangerous outcomes for the baby if transmitted during pregnancy. So talk with your doctor about whether there are any precautions you need to take before conceiving.

How do I get tested?

A typical process for STD testing in Singapore is generally straightforward, but there are some things that it’s important to keep in mind. For example, although most doctors now recommend same-partners be included in the testing process, you should always let your medical provider know about any new relationships so they can determine what kind of tests need to be done.

Another thing to consider: even if you don’t have symptoms or think you might have contracted an infection, it’s still possible for something serious to show up during testing. Certain STDs – like HIV and hepatitis B – can take years before making their presence known with physical cues. So, just because your test results are negative – or even normal – doesn’t mean you don’t have an STD. Generally, the good news is that even if your tests are positive, early detection treatment can be easier and more effective.

In Closing

The good news is that no matter your circumstances, the tests for STDs are not necessarily complicated or expensive. If you’re dealing with an STD, then taking charge of your health by getting tested is one of the most important things you can do.

At the Health Advisory Clinic, we provide quick and affordable STD Testing, treatment, and vaccination. Call us to find out more! Call: (+65) 6226 6442.

The Health Advisory Clinic – Women’s Health | STD/HIV Testing
1 Raffles Pl, #04-49, Singapore 048616
+65 9886 6442
https://healthclinicgroup.com/