Tests for infections make it possible to identify pathogens of the most common pathogens, such as papillomaviruses, cytomegaloviruses, genital herpes along with chlamydia, mycoplasmosis, ureaplasmosis, candidiasis and others. Let's start with the issue of genital infections.
Sexual infections: what laboratory techniques are used for diagnosis?
The following infection tests are used:
- Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay makes it possible to detect antibodies to the causative agent of the disease.
- The polymerase chain reaction allows the detection of pathogenic organisms in a smear sample from the urethra or vagina of RNA.
- Bacteriological culture with the determination of the degree of sensitivity of the parasite to antibiotics.
What are the indications for the examination?
Sexually transmitted infections must be tested in the following cases:
- For pain in the lower abdomen, and, in addition, against the background of secretions from the genital tract.
- In case of pregnancy planning.
- Against the background of unprotected or accidental sexual contact (no later than four weeks later).
- As part of the planning of surgical therapy or manipulations on the genitourinary system.
- With infertility and in case of miscarriage.
- Against the background of rheumatological diseases.
- In the process of monitoring the effectiveness of the treatment of genital infections.
Next, we’ll talk about how infections are tested.
General rules for donating blood for various infections
The biomaterial for analysis for infection is given on an empty stomach from 7:30 a.m. to noon. Dinner on the eve must be early and light, and the whole previous day should refrain from eating fatty foods. To exclude factors that can affect the result of the study, you should adhere to the following recommendations:
- Venous blood sampling is carried out after a patient's fifteen-minute rest.
- Twelve hours before the study, it is necessary to exclude the use of alcohol along with smoking, eating, and limit physical activity.
- Exception of medication.
In the event that it is impossible to cancel the use of drugs, then the laboratory must be informed about this.
To be tested for infections, on the eve of the examination, you must do the following:
- Before analysis it is important to consult with a specialist.
- In two weeks, you should complete the course of taking medications. Against this background, the exception is cases when the concentration of drugs in the blood is examined.
- For two days, you need to give up alcohol.
- For one hour abstain from smoking.
- For half an hour exclude physical activity along with psychological stress.
It is not recommended to take tests after radiography, physiotherapy procedures and instrumental examinations.
Where to rent in Moscow?
In Moscow there are a large number of different laboratories in which you can take tests to detect certain infections. Laboratory procedures take hours to do. In the event that the result promises to be ready later than the next day, then the patient’s blood is taken up somewhere else.
For example, such a service is provided by a network of medical clinics “Medline-service” and “Health”, laboratories “Invitro”, “Hemotest”.
In addition to laboratories, in Moscow there is the possibility of contacting various paid clinics, or it is worth passing an examination in a skin venereological clinic in the area of residence.
Hidden infection tests
Such infections mainly include sexually transmitted diseases. These are ailments with a long incubation period. They are able to not manifest themselves in any way for several months, and sometimes even years.
There are more than thirty such infections. The most common ailments include syphilis along with herpes, gonorrhea, as well as a less dangerous ureaplasmosis with papilloma virus and chlamydia. They can create significant problems, especially when planning a pregnancy.
Analyzes for latent infections can be done at will in any laboratory. There are several diagnostic methods. All of them make it possible to detect pathogens at an early stage, even before the onset of the first symptoms of deviation. Some tests can report the stage of the disease, and also whether the patient has been infected in the past with a specific infection. You can also accurately indicate the time the pathogen entered the body. So, to tests for infections of this kind include:
- Conducting microscopic analysis.
- Perform bacteriological culture on microflora along with sensitivity to antibiotics.
- Enzyme immunoassay.
- Investigation of the immunofluorescence reaction.
- Carrying out a polymer chain reaction.
List of tests for planning pregnancy
It is better for a woman to start family planning with a gynecologist's office. The doctor will prescribe a list of tests and mandatory consultations with the following specialists:
- Therapist consultation.
- Examination of the oral cavity and treatment of diseased teeth at the dentist will eliminate the risk of a dangerous infection.
- Visit to the otolaryngologist. Pathologies of ENT organs are very dangerous and even in a chronic form will be a constant source of infection.
- Cardiologist consultation.
- Conversation with an allergist.
Mandatory analyzes include:
- blood test (general, biochemical);
- general urine analysis;
- a smear on the flora from the vagina;
- scraping from the cervix for PCR examination;
- scraping cytology;
- research on antibodies to toxoplasmosis, herpes, rubella, cytomegalovirus, human papillomavirus;
- analysis for HIV, syphilis, mycoplasma, gonococci, gardnerella;
- detection of antibodies to staphylococcus, E. coli;
- blood coagulation test;
- research on hepatitis B and C;
- colposcopy;
- study of thyroid hormone levels.
HIV test
What research can detect the immunodeficiency virus in the human body? Reliably detecting such helps the study of venous blood, which is carried out in two forms. A common technique is enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, which allows you to determine the quantitative content of viruses in the blood serum.
ELISA for HIV determines the presence of antibodies to both types of virus. To determine this pathology, the patient’s blood is combined with the protein in which the virus is located in several approaches. Against the background of a persistent multiple reaction of the serum with the reagent and the production of antibodies, a positive conclusion is made.
ELISA screening is repeated for re-examination, and only with two positive conclusions will the conclusion about the presence of the immunodeficiency virus be obtained. But given the fact that the reliability of the method is up to ninety-eight percent, it is simply impossible to exclude false results.
Therefore, to confirm the diagnosis, an analysis is prescribed by the immunoblot technique. Immune blotting is a more expensive and accurate way to determine HIV, combining ELISA with the separation of viral proteins by electrophoresis. The technique has a high sensitivity of up to ninety-nine percent.
Blood analysis
Blood analysis is a comprehensive laboratory diagnosis, which is carried out in order to assess the state of internal systems and organs to identify the needs of the human body for trace elements and the threshold for its satisfaction. Based on the biochemical parameters of the blood composition, the primary diagnosis of the functioning of the kidneys, liver, pancreas and other organs is carried out, data on metabolic processes (whether it is lipid, protein or carbohydrate metabolism) are obtained.
Performing a biochemical detailed analysis is recommended as part of preventive goals for monitoring the state of health and early diagnosis of diseases. Such a study is necessary against the background of developing infectious or somatic abnormalities, in the process of the disease itself and at the stage of clinical recovery of patients.
Decryption
Interpretation of the results of a blood test for infection is carried out by specialists on the basis of laboratory standards and their compliance with the identified indicators. An independent interpretation of the tests often gives a superficial idea of the state of health, and can be the cause of incorrect diagnosis and subsequent self-medication.
Interpretation of the results should take into account not only the age and sex index, but also the effect of past and existing diseases, along with the use of certain medications that can affect the blood composition. It is equally important to consider the picture of the study in complex. The fact is that many indicators indicate the presence of different processes (whether physiological or pathological), and only a specialist can correctly interpret the causes of changes in blood composition.
Moreover, often for diagnostic purposes immediately after a blood test by such a technique, additional tests are prescribed by doctors to obtain clarifications and differentiation of factors of the identified condition in the patient.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it should be said that not every infection manifests itself. For example, many bacteria with viruses are able to live in the human body for years without causing any suspicion. However, the consequences of latent infection are extremely serious. In this regard, the corresponding studies should not be neglected. We examined what tests for infections should be taken.