Tests for genital infections, ie, infections transmitted mainly through sexual contact, must be carried out on a regular basis to individuals who are sexually active. The fact that apart from obvious infection with severe disease symptoms, there are hidden infections that may occur seamlessly and give complications.

Who and when you need to be tested for genital infections

Genital infections (infections, sexually transmitted diseases - STDs) can be caused by various infectious agents - bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa, and combinations thereof. STIs are syphilis Syphilis - punishment of Venus , Gonorrhea, trichomoniasis, chlamydia, mycoplasmosis, ureaplasmosis Ureaplasmosis - inflammation of the urogenital system , Genital herpes, HPV infection (genital warts and flat) and so on.

The features of these infections are transmitted sexually, frequent development of mixed infections, discreet (hidden) during acute and due to lower immunity, or some new sexual infection. Private can occur any genital infection, but the most characteristic is over for infections caused by intracellular pathogens - Chlamydia Chlamydia: insidious and widespread disease , Mycoplasma, ureaplasma.

All these features make it difficult to diagnosis and treatment of sexual infections. However, if the infection is detected in time to treat it as a rule it is not difficult. That is why tests for genital infections should be carried out after any unprotected sex with unfamiliar partners and with the appearance of any symptoms from the genitals (discharge, itching, burning, the appearance of any structures, and so on).

In addition, tests for genital infections should be regularly carried out to individuals who are sexually active with frequent change of sexual partners and married couples in preparation for pregnancy and all pregnant women.

Blood tests for genital infections - which can be determined

Blood tests to detect sexually transmitted infections can be carried out by different methods. Since the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), DNA and RNA identifies pathogens. One detection of infectious agents often nothing says, because in some cases they are micro-organisms belonging to the pathogenic microflora is constantly dwelling on the genitals of men or women. In this case, for purposes of treatment requires proof of a large number of infectious agents (determined by quantitative PCR analysis of blood and secretions from the genitals), and inflammation in the genitals.

By enzyme immunoassay (ELISA) to detect the presence of blood antibodies to infectious agents. Depending on the class to which the antibodies are immunoglobulins, disease duration can be set. Thus, immunoglobulin M (IgM) appear soon after infection and then disappear and are replaced by immunoglobulin G (IgG), which reside in the blood.

What else you need to take tests to detect sexually transmitted infections

To detect genital infections shall swabs from the genital organs, which are then stained and examined under a microscope. In these smears to detect the presence of inflammation, and sometimes it is possible to identify infectious agent.

The scrapings from the genital organs by PCR detected DNA or RNA of the infectious agent and its quantity. Immunofluorescence (RIF) is used for the rapid detection of the pathogen in the capture of material, but a high degree of reliability would be the case when infectious agents are sufficiently large size (eg, Trichomonas Trichomonas - leads to infertility , Gonorrhea), whereas for small intracellular pathogens (Chlamydia, Mycoplasma, Ureaplasma) method is less reliable.

Analysis on hidden sexual infections is also carried out with the help of all of the above methods.

What kind of complications can avoid timely made analyzes on sexual infections

Long occurring genital infections can give the following complications:

• acute and chronic infectious-inflammatory processes of internal genital organs of men and women, which in the long course can end with persistent infertility;
• acute and chronic inflammation of the kidneys and urinary tract; These infections can also occur unnoticed, and lead to reduced kidney function;
• chronic infectious-inflammatory processes of the genitals can cause ovarian cancer and cervical cancer in women and prostate cancer in men.

Timely made analyzes on sexual infections are the only effective means of preventing complications of genital infections in men and women.

Galina Romanenko

Syphilis in women can occur without symptoms, and may be in the form of the typical symptoms. And as the disease is well treated only in the initial stages, when there came more permanent changes in the internal organs, brain and spinal cord, after casual sex is best to visit the dermatologist and conduct a full examination.

Female syphilis - how do you get?

In most cases, a woman is infected with syphilis through sexual contact during sexual contact with syphilis. But if a man has the elements of primary syphilis are located on the lips or in the mouth, and it is quite possible contamination through kissing - so you may receive syphilis among girls.

After infection at the site of introduction of the infectious agent (Treponema pallidum) 3-4 weeks (the incubation period can last from five days to six months) there is a chancre.

Not excluded women and household way of infection through close contact with the patient - through utensils, clothes, personal hygiene items, and so on.

Primary syphilis in women

Primary syphilis is most often seen in the form of a chancre at the site of introduction of infection. But sometimes maybe asymptomatic and atypical course.

While infecting sexual way chancre usually appears on the big or small labia and clitoris. Less commonly it appears on the inner surface of the hips, pubic or cervical mucous membrane in the throat. When household way of infection, including kissing the symptoms of syphilis Symptoms of syphilis - it is important to recognize at an early stage   women appear as chancre on the lips of the mouth, on the tonsils, the back of the throat and so on.

Chancre first is a small spot or pink papule with a diameter of 5 to 10 mm. A few days later the element increases to the size of a pea, in the middle appear necrosis (tissue destruction) and formed a painless ulcer with thick edges and the base is flexible and smooth shiny red bottoms.

About a week after the first solid increase nearby, and then the rest of the lymph nodes Lymph nodes - what keeps our immune system . They are usually dense, elastic, painless and not soldered to surrounding tissues. The increase in the lymph nodes can be kept for several months.

Sometimes the labia lips appear edema, which hides the place of introduction of infection. This atypical form of primary syphilis - indurativnyy swelling. Chancre disappears without any consequence in about 6-7 weeks after the onset, even without treatment.

Secondary syphilis in women

The secondary period of syphilis in women manifests itself in the form of a different nature rashes on the skin and mucous membranes throughout the body. In primary syphilis rash open more intense, bright and is symmetrical, with recurrent - less colorful and often grouped character.

The most characteristic appearance of pale pink spots, bluish or brownish papules papules with pustules on the surface. Quite often found on the skin of all kinds of elements of an eruption. Because atypical forms manifestations of secondary syphilis Secondary syphilis - can proceed unnoticed for several years   psoriazopodobnye occur, seborrheic, papular rash on the palms and soles, and so on.

Some women (mainly in debilitated, immunocompromised) a week before the onset of the rash may develop signs of intoxication: fatigue, malaise, slight rise in temperature, headache.

Untreated secondary syphilis Syphilis - punishment of Venus   It lasts 3-4 years, and then transferred to a tertiary.

Tertiary syphilis in women

The manifestation of syphilis in women, if it continues for several years, reflected in the appearance of the skin, mucous membranes, internal organs, tissues, brain and spinal cord or multiple tubercles single gummas. They represent the elements of the eruption with the collapse of tissues, formed as a result of allergic reactions.

The bumps are located in the middle layers of the skin and are small (0, 3-1 cm) in size. They tend to group, the formation of complex shapes on the surface of the body and the formation of small scars after healing.

Gunma are usually isolated. They are larger than the bumps, located in the deep layers of the skin and subcutaneous tissue to form in the process of destruction of nonhealing ulcers and severe scarring.

How does syphilis among women in advanced stages? The appearance of bumps and gummas in the internal organs and the central nervous system leads to a permanent reduction of their functions.

Syphilis in women: treatment

Treatment of syphilis in women Policy Pay by conventional means, mainly drugs of the penicillin group. Today, the treatment regimen developed various periods syphilis using as water-soluble and dyurantnyh (long acting) formulations penicillin.

Galina Romanenko