Testing Question

[Testing5404]

Doctor,

Since I hadn’t been tested in several years, I decided to get tested for the most common STD’s.  I ended up having blood and urine taken at LabCorp and got the following tests done.  All of my results came back negative.  I realize that many of these tests were probably not necessary, but the “bundle” pricing of these tests made them less expensive than if I only ordered the three that I wanted.

Chlamydia -  Nucleic Acid Amplification Test (NAA)
Hepatitis B - Surface Antigen with Confirmation by Neutralization
Hepatitis C - Surface Antibody Test (Anti-HCV)
Gonorrhea - Nucleic Acid Amplification Test (NAA)
Herpes Simplex Virus Type I - IgG Test (HerpeSelect)
Herpes Simplex Virus Type II - IgG Test (HerpeSelect)
HIV-1 -  Antibody Test with Reflex to Western Blot Confirmation
HIV  - 1/O/2 Abs, Qual HIV 1/O/2 Abs, Qual
Syphilis -  Rapid Plasma Reagin (RPR) Test with Reflex to Quantitative RPR and Confirmatory TP-PA

My question is, since it had been four months from the date I had these tests done since I last had unprotected sex, can I consider all of these negative results conclusive?  I know that the HIV testing window period is three months, but I am not sure about the other tests.  Also, were these the proper tests for periodic STD testing?  Thank you for taking the time to answer my question.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

For screenign the most important tests are tests for gonorrhea and chlamydia.  HIV testing is also recommended, not becasue it is likely but as part of a national public health response to the disease.  We would not recommend further testing for HSV unless you have symptoms suggesitve of HSV.  As for the other STDs, they are all quite rare and without development of specific complaints to  indicate the need for testing would not do them on a regualr basis.  EWH

[Testing5404]

Do you recommend all of the above tests annually?  If not, which do you consider to be important for routine screening?  Thanks again.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Welcome to the Forum. Congratulations to you on your commitment to STD screening (testing for asymptomatic STDs).  As a matter of personal protection, we recommend annual testing for anyone who has had two or more sex partners in the past year or who is entering into a sexual relationship with a new partner (we consider this to be health maintenance- we also recommend you get your blood pressure and cholesterol checked regularly).

At this time, in the absence of any symptoms of concern since your last sexual exposure you can be virtually 100% comfortable that you do not have ANY of the STDs you were tested for.  

Stay safe.  EWH