Advanced STD Panel

Description

1. HIV I & II (Human Immunodeficiency Virus)

• Tests for the presence of antibodies or antigens related to HIV types 1 and 2.
• Detects early-stage HIV infection, which, if untreated, can lead to AIDS.
• Important for early diagnosis and treatment.

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2. HBsAg (Hepatitis B Surface Antigen)

• Screens for Hepatitis B virus infection.
• Presence of HBsAg indicates active Hepatitis B infection, which can cause liver damage or increase the risk of liver cancer.
• Helps monitor the need for treatment or vaccination.

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3. Anti-HCV (Hepatitis C Virus Antibodies)

• Detects antibodies produced in response to Hepatitis C infection.
• A positive result suggests past or current infection, requiring further tests to confirm active disease.
• Early detection is crucial to prevent liver damage.

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4. VDRL (RPR) – TPHA (Syphilis Screening)

• VDRL (Venereal Disease Research Laboratory) or RPR (Rapid Plasma Reagin): Initial test for syphilis, identifying active infection through antibodies.
• TPHA (Treponema Pallidum Hemagglutination Assay): Confirms syphilis by detecting specific antibodies to Treponema pallidum, the bacteria causing syphilis.

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5. HSV (Herpes Simplex Virus) IgG, IgM (Types I & II)

• Detects antibodies (IgG and IgM) against HSV:
  • HSV-1: Commonly associated with oral herpes.
  • HSV-2: Primarily linked to genital herpes.
• Differentiates between recent (IgM) and past (IgG) infections.

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6. N. gonorrhoeae (Neisseria gonorrhoeae)

• Identifies gonorrhea, a bacterial STD that affects the genitals, throat, or rectum.
• If untreated, it can cause complications like pelvic inflammatory disease or infertility.

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7. C. trachomatis (Chlamydia trachomatis)

• Detects Chlamydia infection, one of the most common STDs.
• Symptoms might be mild or absent, but untreated infections can lead to severe reproductive health issues.

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8. M. genitalium (Mycoplasma genitalium)

• A less commonly tested but significant bacterial STD causing symptoms similar to chlamydia.
• Often linked to urethritis, cervicitis, and pelvic inflammatory disease.
• Known for being resistant to certain antibiotics, making early detection important.