How to Determine if You Have a Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD)
Feb 24, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Cao Zhiqiang
Introduction
Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) generally refer to illnesses primarily spread through sexual contact. One can determine whether they have contracted an STD through observation of symptoms, analysis of high-risk behaviors, examination of skin and mucous membranes, laboratory tests, acetic acid white tests, and other methods. In daily life, it is important to maintain personal hygiene, practice safe sex, and have a consistent sexual partner to reduce the risk of infection.
Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) usually include syphilis, gonorrhea, genital warts, and others. They generally refer to diseases primarily transmitted through sexual contact. Self-assessment of whether one has contracted an STD can be done through symptom observation, high-risk behavior analysis, skin and mucous membrane examination, laboratory tests, acetic acid white test, and other methods. If abnormalities are found, timely medical consultation is recommended. Detailed analysis is as follows:
1. Symptom observation: Different STDs present with different symptoms. For example, genital warts may cause wart-like protrusions around the genitals or anus; gonorrhea may manifest as purulent discharge from the urethra, frequent urination, and urgency; syphilis may cause hard chancres and syphilis rash. By observing one's own symptoms, it is possible to preliminarily determine if there is a possibility of having an STD. However, it should be noted that some STDs may be asymptomatic or have mild symptoms in the early stages, so further screening using other methods is necessary.
2. High-risk behavior analysis: Review whether you have engaged in unprotected sexual activity or other high-risk contact behaviors, such as unprotected sexual intercourse with a partner. High-risk behaviors are one of the important causes of STD infection. If you have had such experiences and subsequently develop suspicious symptoms, you should be highly alert.
3. Skin and mucous membrane examination: By observing whether there are rashes, ulcers, warts, or other abnormal manifestations on the external genitalia, it is possible to preliminarily determine if there is an infection of certain STDs.
4. Laboratory tests: These include syphilis serological tests, HIV antibody testing, mycoplasma and chlamydia testing, and others. These tests are accurate and reliable and serve as important bases for diagnosing STDs.
5. Acetic acid white test: For suspected cases of genital warts, this test can be used for examination. If the test result is positive, meaning the applied lesion turns white, a diagnosis of genital warts can usually be made.
In daily life, one should pay attention to personal hygiene, practice safe sex with proper protection, and maintain a monogamous relationship to prevent the risk of infection.
