Diagnostic Tests

Herpes
This is diagnosed by taking samples of the blisters or checking a blood test.

Chlamydia
Several laboratory tests can detect the disease. Tests can be done using a urine sample or a sample from genital secretions from a man or woman.

HPV
If you have warts, a doctor can diagnose you on the basis of an abnormal Pap test. The warts may also be visible on the cervix or in the vagina. There is also a test to detect HPV DNA that may be used in women who show mild Pap test abnormalities or those who are over the age of 30. The HPV DNA test can help your doctor determine if further tests or treatment are necessary.

Syphilis
A sample from a syphilis sore can be examined under a microscope. In addition, screening and confirmatory tests are done. The RPR is a test for antibodies against syphilis and is confirmed with an FTA-ABS test. A repeat RPR is necessary after treatment to make sure that the infection was treated successfully.

Gonorrhea
Many tests can detect the disease. Urine or a sample from a woman's cervix or a man's urethra (the tube that empties the bladder) may be used and examined under a microscope. Genital samples are taken with a cotton swab.

HIV/AIDS
A positive HIV test does not mean you have AIDS. It means that there are antibodies against HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. The antibody test is confirmed by doing a "Western Blot" test. Home testing kits allow you to collect a sample of blood using a finger stick, send it to a testing facility and find out the results over the phone several days later. Another test given by a health care provider called the rapid test is a screening that gives results within 20 to 60 minutes. The home and rapid tests must be confirmed by standard HIV blood testing, including the Western Blot test.

PID
Your doctor gives you a physical exam to check for abdominal tenderness, fever and abnormal cervical or vaginal discharge. Swabs from the vagina and cervix are taken to find out which bacteria is afflicting you. Ultrasound or computed tomography scans may also be ordered.

Trichomoniasis
The disease is diagnosed by doing an examination of sample fluid from the vagina or penis under a microscope.

HBV
To check for hepatitis, the doctor draws a few test tubes of blood. A test is done to look for the virus itself (hepatitis antigen test) or for antibodies against the virus (hepatitis antibody test). The combination of results helps to determine if there is an active or past infection. A liver function test also looks for active infection. In more severe cases, the doctor may do a liver biopsy, which involves removing a tiny piece of your liver through a needle. The doctor looks at this sample for signs of hepatitis and liver damage and uses the results to determine your need for medication.

More on Sexually Transmitted Diseases

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This article was reviewed and updated June 2007.