Most test for STD’s are done at your request or if you’re pregnant. A pregnant woman with an STD such as Herpes or HIV is at risk of transferring the virus to her unborn baby resulting in severe illness or death. Because of the rising epidemic of HIV infected individuals and herpes cases today, it is very important to get tested. This is especially so because Herpes and HIV are incurable; with HIV being potentially fatal. People fear getting tested but once you know your status it can empower you to take better care of yourself and be more responsible.

If you have sores on your genitals, a sample can be taken and cultured. The virus multiplies and can be seen under a microscope. Another test involves a solution which contains antibodies that is added to the sample. The virus multiplies and glows when viewed under a special microscope. The only drawback with this type of testing is that the virus is detected only in it’s active form. These test can also tell you what type of herpes you have and how you were infected. HSV 1 can be transmitted to the genitals through oral sex and HSV 2 can be transmitted through intercourse or anal sex. As stated above, the culture detects the herpes virus in it’s active form. False negative results are possible if the sores have begun healing or if this isn’t your first outbreak. Blood test for herpes are done when there are no symptoms and are more accurate. However, if you are newly infected it may not show up for several weeks since it takes time for antibodies to the virus to show up in the blood. That is why if you suspect you may be infected you should have a repeat test several weeks after the first one.

The HIV test most commonly used in the US is the EIA or enzyme immunoassay formerly known as (Elisa). This test on blood samples looks for antibodies to the HIV virus. A positive EIA must be confirmed with a Western Blot on the same sample. HIV test using oral fluids are obtained from the mouth with a special device. Saliva isn’t used for testing but oral fluids found in the mouth. The test is similar to the EIA test done on blood. If the test is positive then a Western Blot is done on the same oral sample to confirm the results. There are rapid HIV screening test but if reactive must also be confirmed by the Western Blot. Home testing kits are popular since being licensed in 1997, but only one has been approved by the FDA. The Home Access HIV 1 Test System is a home collection kit. The kit has instructions on how to obtain a sample, mailing it and how to obtain your results. There are supportive services available throughout this process.

Despite all these media and information being sent out there is still a need to reach more people as many of them still lack even the basic knowledge when it comes to HIV. They still have those erroneous beliefs about the illness. They still view people who are infected as walking plagues who, at a mere touch, can infect anyone, including the people they care about. This is very much unfair to the people who have tested positive with the virus. HIV does not choose who to infect. It can be anyone, from the person sitting beside you, your colleague, friend and even a family member or even you. Everyone in the planet has the potential of being infected by the HIV virus.

Over and over again experts are saying how HIV transmission is made possible. Learning and understanding how it is transmitted greatly helps in the prevention of the disease from spreading. HIV is considered a sexually transmitted infection because of how it is generally transmitted. Most of the cases that are being reported show that people got infected most of the time through sexual intercourse. There are cases, though very minimal, where a person got infected through other means. But generally HIV is transmitted through semen, vaginal fluid, blood, and breast milk from mothers who are infected. HIV is a very frail virus and easily dies when exposed to the outside environment. That is why there is a need for extreme contact and exchange of these fluids before one gets infected. One does not get infected through casual contact or other bodily fluids such as sweat or saliva.

No one can really say who is infected with HIV unless one gets tested. The focus of people should not really be on the people who are tested positive but instead to everyone else who has not been tested. The people who know they are positive are the ones careful not to spread the infection. The people who are not aware they are infected are the ones that should be cautious since they are spreading the virus without their knowledge. Knowing how this virus gets transmitted gives everyone the opportunity to alter their lifestyle so that further spread of the virus is prevented. There is a lot of information out there and it is only right that everyone makes use of this information. HIV is very much real and one would be foolish to ignore all the facts about this dangerous virus. Get tested regularly at STD clinics to know if you have the dreaded disease or not.