Sexually transmitted diseases are screened preventively, as their transmission usually occurs from individuals who are unaware that they are infected. This happens because the time for the clinical symptoms and discomfort to appear ranges from a few months to several years.
A’ Level of Analysis, particularly dangerous infections:
Hepatitis B and C (HBV, HCV): are viral infections that affect the liver.
Type B is transmitted very easily (even with intimate kissing between partners with bleeding gums – gingivitis). In the acute phase, hepatitis B can be life-threatening. Early diagnosis is essential for taking appropriate preventive measures for the infected individual. In case someone has received the hepatitis B vaccine, then at regular intervals they should repeat the anti-HBs examination, which checks the adequacy of vaccination antibodies, and the possible need for booster vaccination. The test detects infection, about 20 days after the day of virus transmission.
Type C is transmitted with more difficulty but leads to chronic infection and is extremely dangerous for the development of fatal liver cirrhosis as well as liver cancer. Early diagnosis provides the opportunity for the necessary treatment and eradication of the disease before damage occurs. The test detects infection, 3 months after the day of virus transmission with reliability >95%.
HIV-Ag (p24) + anti-HIV I/Io/II: The virus is detected with the most reliable and sensitive method of direct determination (antigen Ag P24) and simultaneous detection of antibodies developed by the organism in both types (I & II). Early detection is extremely important for timely pharmacological treatment of infection, and its transition to a chronic disease, with proportionally much lower danger. The test detects infection, about 30 days after the day of virus transmission with reliability >95%.
In case there is a need for faster detection of infections from hepatitis B & C as well as HIV, the corresponding molecular biology tests HBV, HCV, HIV are performed, which also practically present reliability 100%.
In case the possible infection time is up to three 24-hour periods, go or immediately contact the Special Infectious Disease Centres of large public hospitals or KEELPNO [Hellenic National Public Health Organization (EODY) ] to receive if possible prophylactic treatment which prevents the transmission of infection.
B’ Level of Analysis, infections with long-term genetic system damage
The health consequences are long-term and often can be particularly devastating for the genetic system. Among the effects are:
If you find that you are suffering from any sexually transmitted disease, you should inform your recent sexual partners so that they can also be examined.
The analyses we propose are for the detection of:
Chlamydia, Ureaplasma, Mycoplasma: they are detected by specific culture and are the most common bacterial infections of the genital system, which are usually asymptomatic. Any infection is treated with simple antibiotics, while long-term untreated presence has serious consequences, even for children who may be born in the future.
Gonorrhoea: a bacterial infection detected by culture, which is easily treatable with antibiotics, but if left untreated, can cause sterility.
Syphilis: a bacterial infection detected by VDRL blood test. The disease affects mucous membranes and creates lesions on the skin, making the transmission of other diseases extremely easy. It is easily treatable with antibiotics.
Human Papillomavirus (HPV): primarily responsible for cervical cancer, while it is also detected in a very large percentage of breast cancers. It is usually detected indirectly, with the PAP test. Because there are many types of the virus, among which few are dangerous, when it is necessary to confirm the infection from HPV, we detect, with specialized molecular biology tests, only the dangerous types (HPV types 16, 18, 31, 33, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59, 66, 68, and 73). The molecular biology test is recommended upon recommendation of the gynaecologist.
Herpes labialis (I), genital herpes (II) (HSV I/II): from the moment someone is infected with herpes simplex virus, they become a chronic carrier of the virus, which periodically exhibits symptoms with characteristic skin irritations and rashes. It is transmitted through contact with the infected area, during its activation phase (with rashes).
Cultures for women are recommended to be done on days 12-15 of the period and are performed by taking vaginal secretions. You should contact the laboratory to schedule an appointment.
For men, cultures are taken without any particular preparation.
Blood tests are done daily without any preparation.