STI Testing in India: STD Testing, Types, Symptoms

STI Testing: STI rate in India is one of the major problems, as about 30–35 million cases of STI/RTI are noted every year because of a lack of awareness regarding sexual health among people from different age groups and backgrounds. It’s very crucial to go for its diagnosis regularly according to personal needs and health conditions, also STI Testing if required. Early detection is essential as it can save a person from long-term health issues like infertility, cervical cancer, or even the threat of death that one might face in the future. Here, in this article, we will discuss everything related to STI Testing.

What are STIs?

These are the illnesses, spread by any particular bacteria, virus or micro-organisms which can pass on from one person to another through blood, semen, vagina fluid or other body fluids by oral sex, anal sex and genital contact with any infected person. It can also be transmitted by exchanging items like a needle, breastfeeding, or an infant can get affected during childbirth or pregnancy from the mother.

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What are the symptoms of STIs?

There are several STIs with different symptoms, but in general, sores or bumps on the genitals, in the mouth or rectal area, or even pain or burning sensations during urination or sexual activity can be seen. Other signs might include discharge or bleeding from the penis or vagina, lower abdominal pain, also itchiness and redness in the genital region can be there, swollen lymph nodes also add to the list.

What are the various types of STIs?

STIs like human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), human papillomavirus (HPV), chlamydia, genital herpes, gonorrhea, pubic lice, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and syphilis are some of the most common sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

What are the various STI Testing in India?

STI Testing is different for different STI, Here are the following.

Blood Tests

Blood also play an essential role in STI Testing. There are several STIs like HIV, syphilis, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C, which can be diagnosed by collecting blood samples and tracking the presence of any sort of antibody present over there against any of these STIs.

HIV testing

Usually below 3 tests are used to detect HIV.

Antibody test – This test looks for the prevalence of antibodies in blood or in other bodily fluids. It’s better to take blood from a vein for this test to receive much better results.
Antigen test – This can detect both HIV antigen (the protein of the virus) and antibodies that the individual has developed to fight HIV. Antigens are typically detectable earlier than the appearance of antibodies in an individual’s blood.
NATs – It’s a blood test which is taken from a vein, and also known as a viral load test, it also determines the presence virus along with its quality. It detects HIV between 10-33 days. It is used for monitoring HIV and during its treatment, not for regular checkups. It’s quite expensive.

Syphilis Testing

There are 3 major tests used to determine syphilis.

Veneral Disease Research Laboratory (VDRL) – This test is preferably done to identify the antibodies created within 1-2 weeks against a primary sore developing on a person’s body.
Rapid Plasma Reagin (RPR) – Non-specific antibodies in the body that can fight against syphilis can be determined in this particular test.
Treponemal test – When the person is infected with the bacteria whose root cause is syphilis, this test can only find antibodies that are produced to fight against the disease. A person, even after being treated for syphilis, can test positive in this particular test.

Hepatitis B & C Testing

In case of Hepatitis B presence of overall anti-HBc antigen is required to diagnose a patient with Hepatitis B infection. The result of HBcAg, anti-HBs, IgM, and HBc shows the patient’s Hepatitis B type and level of antibodies. For Hepatitis C, the HCV antibody test is used; if it comes positive, further testing for HCV ribonucleic acid (RNA) is needed to confirm chronic infection and the need for treatment.

Urine test

Urine can help in some STI Testing, As many STIs remain asymptomatic, urine testing becomes crucial at times to determine infections like chlamydia.

Chlamydia and Gonorrhea testing

Nucleic acid amplification test (NAATs) can be used to find the presence of chlamydia or gonorrhea with the help of self-collected urine samples. NAATs look for bacterial DNA and RNA in urine samples, and NAACs are also currently available in numerous public and private clinics in India.

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Swab test

Swap test is also part of STI Testing, Samples can be collected from the cervix, uterus, rectum, and throat to diagnose STIs. herpes, gonorrhea, chlamydia, and trichomoniasis can be detected with the help of a swab test.

Herpes simplex virus (I & II) testing
Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test – This test is mostly used as it detects DNA in a swab, it determines whether the virus is present in blood.
Trichomoniasis testing
A sample of fluid from the genitals is swept out and tested under a microscope to find the presence of the Trichomonas vaginalis parasite. NAAT is also used it try to find genital substance from parasites that lead to trichomoniasis.
HPV (Human papillomavirus) testing
Pap smear test can find out unusual cells in the cervix, this abnormality is caused due to HPV. Even an HPV DNA test can be done to detect the higher risk of the virus. These tests come under regular checkups in urban areas and in government initiatives.

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Rapid diagnosis tests

This STI Testing is used to find results within minutes and are used at places where large-scale screenings need to be done, like rural areas.

Rapid HIV test – it provides a result in 20-30 minutes and detects antibodies, and can be used widely.
RPR and VDRL rapid tests – Rapid diagnosis forms of RPR and VDRL tests are also there for syphilis.

How can individuals protect themselves and others from STIs?

Individuals can avoid getting STIs through the use of condoms, but also by addressing major problems like a lack of knowledge about STIs, stigma surrounding STIs, and a lack of availability of resources. It is equally important to obtain vaccinations for STIs, including HPV and hepatitis B. Protect yourself before STI Testing.

A note from Kamarth

In India, nearly 6% of the adult population is affected by STIs, even though testing is quite less because of stigma and poor awareness. Even though government initiatives have been there for a long time, only about 20% of individuals get tested regularly. To reduce the rate of infections, it’s vital to normalize having conversations about better sexual health amongst the public, also promote regular testing, and improve public awareness.

Some Additional Doubts

Question: What should a person do if they test positive for an STI?
Answer: If a person tests positive for an STI, he or she should follow the medical expert’s advice and treatment, also inform their sexual partner about the same and get him or her tested, also avoid doing any sexual activity unless the medical expert approves.

Question: Does getting tested for every STI necessary?
Answer: Getting tested for any STI is not necessary; it only depends on some factors and symptoms, based on which a medical expert can recommend a set of particular tests to go for.

Question: Can a person get retested after STI treatment?
Answer: It’s better to get retested, as some STIs might recur.

Question: Can one get an STI from kissing?
Answer: In most cases, only sexual contact causes STIs, but some STIs, like herpes (HSV-1) can be transmitted through kissing if the partner has having active sore.

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