Which department should I visit for testing for sexually transmitted infections (STIs)?

Infectious diseases are illnesses caused by various pathogens that can spread among humans, among animals, or between humans and animals. Most pathogens are microorganisms, while a smaller proportion are parasites; diseases caused by parasites are termed parasitic diseases. Certain infectious diseases require prompt surveillance by public health authorities to enable timely intervention; thus, cases must be reported to local disease prevention and control agencies within the stipulated timeframe upon diagnosis—these are designated as “statutory infectious diseases.” So, which department should one visit for testing and evaluation of sexually transmitted infections (STIs)? Below is an explanation.

Which Department Should One Visit for STI Testing?

The “five-item STI panel” (commonly including tests for syphilis, HIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and other relevant pathogens) can be performed in the Dermatology and Venereology Department. This allows immediate clinical management by the same physician if abnormal results are found, avoiding the need for referral to another department after initial testing. Prior to receiving test results, patients should abstain from sexual activity. STIs include chlamydia, mycoplasma, gonorrhea, syphilis, HIV/AIDS, and genital warts, among others. Patients may consult either the Dermatology and Venereology Department or the Infectious Diseases Department. In hospitals without a dedicated Infectious Diseases Department, the Dermatology and Venereology Department is the appropriate choice. STIs are primarily transmitted through unprotected sexual contact. The vast majority of STIs are curable. If infection is suspected, prompt medical evaluation and active treatment are essential. Patients should not experience excessive anxiety, as test results may ultimately be normal.

Knowledge Extension: General Routes of Transmission for Infectious Diseases

1. Respiratory transmission: Pathogens remain stable in airborne aerosols or respiratory droplets and infect others upon inhalation—for example, measles, tuberculosis, and severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS).

2. Fecal-oral (gastrointestinal) transmission: Infection occurs via ingestion of pathogen-contaminated food, water, or utensils—for example, hepatitis A, typhoid fever, bacterial dysentery, and cholera.

3. Blood and body fluid transmission: Pathogens reside primarily in blood and bodily fluids and spread via transfusion of contaminated blood products, childbirth, or sexual contact—for example, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV/AIDS.

4. Direct or indirect contact transmission: Infection occurs through direct physical contact with an infected individual or indirect contact with contaminated objects—for example, schistosomiasis, hookworm infection, influenza, and tetanus. Pathogens transmitted via contact often utilize additional transmission routes as well.

5. Vector-borne transmission: Certain pathogens infect hematophagous arthropods—such as mosquitoes, lice, sandflies, and ticks—and are transmitted to humans through bites. Common vector-borne diseases include dengue fever, kala-azar (visceral leishmaniasis), Japanese encephalitis, and dengue hemorrhagic fever.

6. Vertical (mother-to-child) transmission: Refers to transmission of pathogens from mother to fetus during pregnancy or delivery—for example, hepatitis B and HIV/AIDS.

The above outlines which department to visit for STI testing and evaluation. We hope this information proves helpful.