To be tested for hepatitis, syphilis and HIV

Hepatitis, HIV and syphilis in modern times

The incidence of HIV and hepatitis b, as well as for syphilis, unfortunately, become a part of our life! These diseases do not belong only to the recent past, but for many years are more or less of a threat. Sexually transmitted diseases needs to inspire fear in everyone, but unfortunately, in many cases it is not.

Because of the prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases, let's look at topical issues, such as how to get tested for hepatitis and HIV, when it is advisable to make tests for AIDS and syphilis, can be tested for HIV hepatitis syphilis anonymously, etc.

HIV syphilis hepatitis b and the characteristics of these diseases

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis b is a sexually transmitted disease that originated from a specific DNA virus that infects the liver. This virus to humans may be even fatal. The infected person may have no symptoms, but also for their surroundings is infectious, and maybe it's a sexually transmitted disease to spread further. Hepatitis B induced by HBV (hepatitis b virus), can occur in four forms:

• in acute infection,
• in chronic infection,
• in a fulminant hepatitis with massive liver necrosis,
• or infection simultaneously with the virus (HBV).

Hepatitis B is transmitted by any sexual contact (vaginal, oral and anal). In addition, transmission of infection occurs through blood transfusion, use of unsterile needles, for example, the introduction of narcotic drugs by addicts, or during dialysis. Also describes the possibility of transmission from mother to fetus, especially if the mother has active phase of the disease in the last trimester of pregnancy.

The risk of the above-mentioned transmission of hepatitis b is very high (80-90%). Such children immediately after birth the antibodies are introduced to fight against HBV, which in 90% of cases helps to prevent hepatitis outbreaks. The remaining 10% of children become lifetime carriers of the virus of hepatitis type b, they have an increased risk of liver disease also should not lose sight of the fact that the virus can infect other people.

Diagnosis hepatitis B

For the simplest diagnostic method of hepatitis, you need to donate blood for serology. First, this study can establish the presence of hepatitis b virus, and, secondly, to determine the presence of antibodies, developed against this virus. Also can be tested the urine of an infected person and blood tests to check liver function, to determine its damage.

HIV-AIDS

AIDS and HIV are acronyms most frightening and can say that the most serious sexually transmitted diseases. In society these insidious, sexually transmitted infections, are considered "natural disaster" of the 20th century and are undoubtedly so in the 21st century.

AIDS is a sexually transmitted disease, the acronym stands for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

A syndrome is a set of symptoms or external signs of disease. Immunodeficiency in humans maximizes the likelihood of infection and the body's inability to cope with the health problem due to the weakening of protective mechanisms. Thus, a person infected with HIV or sick with AIDS can easily catch a cold, and even such seemingly banal disease to the body may have a fatal end.

The virus responsible for AIDS, for short is called HIV (human immunodeficiency virus). The virus enters the body and infects cells of the immune system before the organism can respond to this fact. The gradual spread of the virus destroys the immune system and, therefore, human infection can even lead to death.

A blood test for HIV: when and how?

First of all, it is necessary to mention that HIV tests and AIDS you can go anonymously and, in most cases, inexpensive.There are 3 types of tests.

Immunoenzyme analysis

To pass the test you need to pass the blood that is in the process of analysis (ELISA test) will be checked for the presence of antibodies. This test is so sensitive that it will detect even a small amount of antibodies.

In the case of the presence of antibodies, is more complicated (and more expensive) test. Due to the high sensitivity of the test can show a "false positive" results the same as the fire alarm can send alarm at the slightest temperature rise and smoke, despite the fact that fire is actually not.

Screening test (immunoblot)

For a screening test (usually called "Western blotting") to confirm, as a rule, use the same put a blood sample for enzyme immunoassay, so that you can keep the damage types, so that eliminates the process of extraction of blood and other expectations. If the test detects HIV antibodies, the person is informed of the result of that "test for the presence of antibodies to HIV positive".

Test directly for the virus (polymerase chain reaction)

In rare cases (e.g. in children born to mothers living with HIV), the presence of HIV infection is determined using direct detection of the virus or its genetic material (PCR test). This test, however, is less accurate than the antibody, i.e. the risk of erroneous results is higher. It is therefore important to confirm negative antibody test (i.e. at least 3 months after the last risk situation). Test directly for the virus, among other things, is very costly and usually not reimbursed by health insurance.

Syphilis

Syphilis is a very dangerous disease. The infection causes spirochete Treponema pallidum, which was discovered in 1905. Infected person can basically unprotected intercourse, whether vaginal, oral or anal. The infection may also develop as a result of contact with syphilitic lesions on the body of an infected person.

Syphilis can be transmitted from mother to fetus during pregnancy. A quarter of infected babies are stillborn or die shortly after birth. Children infected with syphilis are born, approximately half of the infected and treated women. Such children are severely damaged heart, brain and eyes. For this reason, every pregnant at least once during pregnancy, blood is taken and sent for analysis for syphilis. If the infection is detected in time, treatment is much more successful. As a rule, the disease is treatable with antibiotics.

Diagnosis of syphilis and tests

Syphilis, in most cases, is diagnosed during a medical examination with blood test or examination of a skin rash under a microscope. The definition of a positive result for syphilis in the blood can be done after 4-6 weeks after infection. In our country, used mainly RW test (a test that determines the presence of the spirochete Treponema pallidum).

It may happen that the doctor has a strong suspicion for infection of syphilis, but the tests are negative. In this case, it is recommended to wait 6 weeks and repeat the test. This period is enough for your body has developed antibodies against syphilis, which subsequently shall be determined in blood tests.