Standard STD Test for Men

For the Standard STD Test for Men we analyze:

HIV

HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus. HIV is a blood-borne virus that can be transmitted through unprotected anal or vaginal sex and sharing HIV contaminated syringes. HIV weakens the immune system by destroying important cells that fight disease and infection. There are varying symptoms of HIV depending upon the stage of disease. Most people with acute infection experience a short flu-like illness. After initial symptoms disappear, there is often a long, silent period of HIV infection before the disease progresses to AIDS. There is no cure to HIV, but early diagnosis allows for treatment with medication that can help to suppress levels of virus.

Hepatitis C Virus

Hepatitis C is a liver infection caused by the Hepatitis C Virus (HCV). HCV is more commonly transmitted through needles or blood exposure and only rarely spread through sexual intercourse. The infection is usually asymptomatic. When symptoms do occur, they can include fatigue, nausea, muscle aches or jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes). For some people, Hepatitis C is a short-term illness but for 70%-85% of people who become infected, Hepatitis C becomes a long-term, chronic infection. Chronic Hepatitis C is a serious disease that can result in long-term health problems, even death. 

Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2

Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2 (HSV-2) is a virus that is responsible for genital herpes. Symptoms of HSV-2 typically appear as blistering sores, on or around the genitals, rectum or mouth that break and leave painful ulcers. Infection with HSV-2 is lifelong and the sores may recur periodically during times of emotional stress or illness. Although there is no cure for genital herpes, severe episodes can be lessened and prevented with treatment.

Syphilis

Syphilis is a highly contagious bacterial infection by the bacterium Treponema pallidum. Syphilis is transmitted through sexual contact. The symptoms are related to the stage of the infection. Typically, the first sign of infection is a small, painless sore (called chancre) on the penis, vagina, or around the anus. Treponema pallidum eventually enters the bloodstream and causes rashes anywhere on the body and flu-like symptoms. If not treated, syphilis may progress to the symptom-less latent phase and may damage heart, brain and nervous system. Therefore, early treatment is important, as damage caused by late-stage syphilis infection is often irreversible.

Chlamydia 

Chlamydia is a bacterial infection caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis. Chlamydia can be transmitted through sexual contact and generally shows no symptoms. Chlamydia is the most common sexually transmitted disease in the United States, with about 4 million new cases diagnosed every year. Untreated infections can lead to scarring in the reproductive tract that may affect the fertility. 

Gonorrhea

Gonorrhoea is a bacterial infection caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae. It is transmitted through sexual contact and is most commonly asymptomatic in women. Gonorrhea can cause infections in the genitals, rectum, and throat. If not treated, gonorrhea is associated with complications that may result in infertility. There is a high prevalence of co-infection with chlamydia and an increased susceptibility to HIV.  

Trichomoniasis

Trichomoniasis is caused by infection with the protozoan parasite Trichomonas vaginalis. Trichomoniasis is transmitted through sexual contact. Women who are infected are more likely to develop symptoms than men. Symptoms usually include a foul-smelling discharge, genital itching and pain during urination or sexual intercourse. Untreated trichomoniasis can increase the risk of HIV infection.

• - burning sensation when urinating

• - burning sensation following ejaculation

• - irritation or itching inside the penis

• - white, yellow, or green discharge from the penis

• - painful or swollen testicles (although this is less common)

• - fever

• - fatigue and headache

• - swollen lymph nodes

• - skin rash

• - joint and muscle pain

• - night sweats

• - dark urine

• - clay-colored stool

• - abdominal pain

• - loss of appetite

• - nausea

• - vomiting

• - jaundice

• - swollen glands

• - muscle aches

• - sore throat

Urine Sample

Please note the following guidelines regarding the urine collection – the correct collection is important for achieving unaltered laboratory results! Do not urinate for at least 1 hour before collecting your urine specimen. Do not cleanse the genital area. First-catch urine specimens are used to test for STDs. If the urine specimen cannot be transferred immediately, it can be stored at 2°C to 30°C for up to 24 hours.

Safety Precaution

The solution in the cobas PCR Media transport tube is harmful if swallowed. If the solution contacts your skin or eyes, wash the affected area thouroughly with water. Seek immediate medical attention if swallowed. Keep out of the reach of children.

During the sample collection 

1. Wash hands with soap and water. Open the urine collection cup. Be careful not to touch the inside of the container.  

2. Collect the first part of the urine into the urine collection cup. Fill the container about 1/3 full.

3. Immediately transfer urine into the transport tube using the provided disposable pipette. Use care to avoid splashing of contents. 

4. If urine is spilled on the outside of the tube, it must be cleaned before shipment.

5. It may be necessary to pipette urine from cup to tube more than once in order to achieve the correct fill volume.

6. The correct volume of urine has been added when the fluid level is between the two black lines on the tube label. Do not overfill or underfill.

7. Tightly re-cap the transfer tube to prevent leakage. Invert the tube 5 times to ensure mixing of specimen and reagent.

8. Discard collection cup and pipette and lable the transfer tube.

9. Place tube into biohazard bag with the absorbend pad. Ensure biohazard bag is properly sealed.

10. For shipping, place everything together with the sample dispatch note in the grey plastic envelope.

Blood Spot

Please note the following guidelines regarding the blood collection – the correct collection is important for achieving unaltered laboratory results! Do not forget to label your blood collection card! Hydration promotes blood flow. Be sure you are not dehydrated when performing collection. Do not perform collection immediately after smoking. Keep blood card and hands below your heart during collection for best blood flow.

Safety Precaution

Keep this kit out of the reach of children. Do not use without the presence of another person if you have problems with seeing blood. Do not use without consulting your doctor or practitioner if you have a history of congenital or acquired blood-clotting disorder or if you use certain anticoagulant treatment.

During the sample collection 

1. Wash your hands with warm water for at least 30 sec, then shake hands vigorously for 15 sec towards the floor. 

2. Clean fingertip of the middle or ring finger your non-dominant hand with alcohol pad.

3. Take the single use lancet and twist off the cap. 

4. Place your hand on a solid surface and press the lancet firmly into the side of your fingertip, until the needle ejects with a click.

5. As blood drop is ready to fall, touch the drop to the center of the circle – without touching the blood collection paper with your finger.

6. Fill each circle on the blood collection paper completely. 

7. More than one drop of blood will be required to fill each circle. Blood should soak all the way through each circle of the paper. It is okay for blood to extend a little beyond lines.

8. Allow blood card to air for at least 10 minutes. Do not heat or blow dry! 

9. Place blood card into biohazard bag with the desicant pack. Ensure biohazard bag is properly sealed. 

10. For shipping, place everything together with the sample dispatch note in the grey plastic envelope.

Questions about the order

• Which test should I order?
• Can I also order by phone?
• How long does it take for my order to arrive?
• I have not received an order confirmation.
• My package did not arrive or my order was not completely delivered.
• I want to cancel my order.

Questions about sample submission & findings

• How long will it take to receive my findings?
• How do I get my findings?
• Can I get advice for my test result? Can you tell me what remedy to take?
• I forgot to put the sample dispatch note in the package when sending the sample back.
• I take medication. Can this affect the outcome?

Questions about STD testing

• Why should I get tested?
• How frequently shoud I get tested?
• Can I get the same STD multiple times?

• Who will have access to my results?
• If I test positive for an STD, what should I do?
• Is the shipping and packaging discreet?

Which test should I order?

To find the right test for you, click through our additional product information covered in the categories <Details>, <Symptoms> and <Test includes>. You can also call us at (703) 722 6067 (08:00am - 11:30am EST) or write an email to contact@verisana.com.

Can I also order by phone?

Yes. Please call us at (703) 722 6067 (08:00am - 11:30am EST). The payment in this case is only possible via Paypal. We take your order and you will receive the payment request by mail.

How long does it take for my order to arrive?

We process orders on a daily basis (apart from weekends and public holidays). You have the possibility to choose between two shipping options: free standard shipping and two day shipping.

The standard shipping option is for free and you will receive your order in 5-7 days. The two day shipping option is only for free when your purchase amount is higher than 100 $, if this is not the case you will have to pay an additional amount of 5 $. Regardless of the purchase amount you will receive your order in 2 days if you have chosen the two day shipping option.

I have not received an order confirmation.

Please contact us to check if your order was registered. We will gladly send you the confirmation again.

My package did not arrive or my order was not completely delivered.

Please contact our customer service team at (703) 722 6067 (08:00am - 11:30am EST) or write an email to contact@verisana.com.

I want to cancel my order. 

The withdrawal period from the purchase of all our items is 2 weeks from the receipt of the goods. Please inform us via mail about the desired cancellation and note the following information:  Laboratory analyzes can only be canceled if the analysis has not yet been carried out. 

How long will it take to receive my findings?

From the day the sample arrives in our laboratory, it takes:

- saliva tests 2 weeks 
- stool tests 2-3 weeks
- STD tests 3-4 weeks 

until the findings are completed.

If you have not received your report after this deadline, please contact us. Please understand that we can not speed up the processing of your sample.

How do I get my findings?

You will receive your findings via mail.

Can I get advice for my test result? Can you tell me what remedy to take?

For legal reasons, our findings do not include individualized therapy recommendations. 

If you have any questions regarding the understanding of your findings, please contact our laboratory team.

I forgot to put the sample dispatch note in the package when sending the sample back.

Please send us the completed and signed dispatch note, preferably by mail to contact@verisana.com. Unfortunately, we can not complete your sample without a dispatch note.

I take medication. Can this affect the outcome?

That depends on the test you want to carry out and the medications you are taking. In case of doubt, please ask your doctor regarding the areas that are influenced by the medication prescribed by him and do not stop taking your medication without consulting him.

Why should I get tested?

If you are sexually active, it is recommended to get tested at minimum once a year for your own and your partner’s safety and sexual health. Every year in the United States, there are around 19.7 million new STD infections. Without knowing it, many people can have an STD without experiencing symptoms.

Getting tested regularly helps to prevent infection that could harm you if left undiagnosed and untreated. Preventing the spread of STDs is everybody’s responsibility and knowing your status is a way to do your part while also keeping yourself healthy.

How frequently shoud I get tested?

Anyone who is sexually active should get tested for STDs on a regular basis. The frequency of testing is dependent on how active you are and if you are currently outside of a monogamous relationship. The CDC recommends testing every 3-12 months depending on risk category. A yearly STD test is the minimum responsible frequency and testing should be done more if you engage in unprotected sex with a new partner.

Can I get the same STD multiple times?

Even if you have had an STD before, you are not immune. Bacterial STDs can be treated and cured, but can be contracted again upon exposure. Most viral STDs are incurable and will stay in your system for life. However, they can be controlled with proper medication and treatment.

Who will have access to my results?

We take customer privacy very seriously. Only you will have access to your results and we will not share your results with any third party. All samples are disposed of following analysis.

If I test positive for an STD, what should I do?

After you get tested, it’s important for you to find out the result of your test so that you can talk to a doctor about treatment options if one or several of the tested STDs were detected. For bacterial STDs (e.g. Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, and Syphilis) you will want to begin a doctor-prescribed treatment immediately. For viral STDs (e.g. HIV) you will want to figure out with your doctor how to best manage the infection along with its associated symptoms. With proper care and management of the infection, you can still enjoy a long and sexual life. 

Is the shipping and packaging discreet?

We understand the importance of being able to test yourself for STDs in the privacy of your own home. Thus, the package you receive will have no identifiable information or visuals.

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