The only exception is if you have a sex partner withgenital herpes.
The herpes blood test looks atantibodiesand proteins that are produced by the body in response to the virus.
As such, you should probably wait at least 12 days from the time of exposure before getting tested.
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If the initial result is positive, a second test will be used to confirm the results.
This second test is not a repeat of the first test.
Rather, it looks for other evidence of infection in the same sample of blood.
Positive results from the two tests is considered definitive proof of infection.
If there are visible sores, the healthcare professional may want to take a swab instead.
The NAAT is considered the best test to determine if a person acquired the virus.
If a sexual partner is being tested and has no sores, a blood test will be used.
The preferred tests not only detect antibodies but also proteins on the surface of the virus calledantigens.
When confirmed, HIV tests are extremely accurate and rarely return a false result.
There are alsorapid HIV teststhat can detect HIV antibodies in blood and saliva.
These tests can return results in around 20 minutes.
At-home saliva-based tests are also available.
Urine-based HIV tests are another option, but these are not often used.
As with herpes tests, you may need to wait a while before getting tested for HIV.
There is awindow periodafter infection in which tests cannot reliably detect the virus.
For combination antibody/antigen tests, the window period is 18 to 45 days.
For traditional antibody tests, it is 23 and 90 days.
These tests are used in combination to determine if you acquired the condition.
They can also tell if you have ever been infected in the past.
Treponemal tests are a group of tests that can detect syphilis antibodies in the blood.
If positive, a second test to detect nontreponemal antibodies can confirm the results.
These antibodies are related to the damage the bacteria cause to cells.
Syphilis can also be detected from a swab of a sore or with a sample of spinal fluid.
The average window period for syphilis is around three to six weeks after infection.
Hepatitis B
Option:Blood tests
As with syphilis, there are multiple blood tests forhepatitis B.
These can be used to determine your history of infection.
They can also determine whether you’re currently infected.
In some cases, a swab may be used to culture (grow) the bacteria in a lab.
In others, the cells on the swab may be genetically tested to confirm the presence of the STI.
If youre worried about a swab test and need one, talk to your healthcare provider.
In some cases, you may be able to take the swab yourself.
Summary
Some people avoid STI screening due to the discomfort or embarrassment of having a genital swab.
Even so, STIs like chlamydia, gonorrhea, and trichomoniasis require a swab for diagnosis.
Swabs are also an option for syphilis and herpes.
Frequently Asked Questions
STI blood tests are not part of a regular blood panel.
You need a separate blood test for STIs.
This is not routinely ordered by a healthcare provider unless requested.
Food and Drug Administration.Information regarding the OraQuick in-home HIV test.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Getting tested for HIV.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Syphilis.
doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0143644
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Getting tested for STIs.
University of Oregon Health Center.STI screening timetable.
