This is the most common sexually transmitted disease in US and over a million people every year get infected with the bacteriumchlamydia trachomatis. This disease creates long term problems like sterility if not treated timely. Other than on genitals, Chlamydia can infect eyes too. Chlamydia conjunctivitis can cause blindness. Nucleic acid amplification tests (NAAT) are used to diagnosis genital Chlamydia. Tests use swabs from cervix in case of women and from urethra for men or first urine. Common NAATs are polymerase chain reaction, transcription mediated amplification and DNA strand displacement amplification. They are more sensitive to culture method, used previously for genital infections. However, for non-genital Chlamydia, culture method is still common. Time taken for the test depends on the laboratory and sample quality.

Gonorrhea is infection from bacteria Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Men have 20% chance while women have 60 to 80% chances of getting the disease from single vaginal intercourse with diseased partner. Culture and gram test are most common and approved diagnosis procedure for the disease. Genital swabs or urine or both are used for the tests. In case of gram test, test provider stain the sample with particular dye and try to spot under microscope the presence of the bacteria in the sample. This is a fast test but not accurate. Culture has more accuracy. Samples are used to grow gonorrhea on fresh test cells. Then test providers look for bacteria DNA or use antibodies to find out presence of the bacteria in the test sample. Recently polymerase chain reaction tests are becoming common for diagnosing gonorrhea.

Syphilis is caused by bacteria Treponema pallidum. First symptom could be a non-itchy or painless chancre. This could be followed by rashes on palms and feet soles. Blood test and microscopy are common diagnosis procedures for syphilis.Blood tests can be treponemal and non-treponemal. Non-treponemal tests like rapid plasma regain and veneral diseases research laboratory test are conducted initially. For confirmation of the results, treponemal tests will be conducted. For fast diagnosis, dark ground microscopy is a common test. Microscopy has 80% success rate in determining syphilis. But in case a negative result from microscopy, test provider use blood test for confirmation.

This common sexually transmitted infection is caused by herpes simplex viruses of category 1 and 2. Genital herpes are difficult to diagnosis than orofacial herpes. Oral infection can be diagnosed clinically. Anybody can visit doctor when suffering from a herpes outbreak or when one suspects possible infection without any outbreak. However, it is easy to diagnose when someone is suffering from an outbreak. Swab sample taken from affected skins is used for tests. Swab taken within 48 hours of outbreak is most effective. In case of non-outbreak, serological tests are common. Diagnosis includes viral culture in lab, direct fluorescent antibody study, skin biopsy and polymerase chain reaction.

This is another common viral STD caused by Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). These viruses survive on body fluid only and remain asymptomatic for long time. Anybody, who suspects chances of infection, can ask doctor for a HIV test. Centers for Disease Control or CDC recommends doctors to check patients for HIV irrespective of chances and risks. However, patients can deny going through the tests if they feel so. Unlike common STD diagnosis test, HIV test try to check human body’s response to the virus. Test uses blood sample or swabs from mouth. There are faster HIV tests giving result within few hours and there are week-long tests. However, results from faster tests are always confirmed with other elaborate lab-based tests.

Human papilloma virus (HPV) can cause cervical cancer. However, common symptom is genital warts. For women, diagnosis tests are conducted on cervix swabs. This is a common infection and over 40% of women suffer from the infection. Doctors advise regular screening irrespective of actual risk. For men, there is no FDA approved HPV tests. To counter the infection, FDA recently approved vaccination for common viruses.

NGU or non-gonorrheal urethritis is infection in urethra not caused by gonorrheal organism. NGU test is conducted when gonorrheal test are showing negative result despite presence of urethral symptoms. Test provider collect urine sample or swabs from urethra or both. NGU test is often followed by Chlamydia and syphilis tests for spotting presences of other organisms. 

Trich or trichomoniasis causes vaginitis. This protozoic sexually transmitted disease infect urogenital tract. This disease cause itching and burning sensation in urethra and cervix. In men, the protozoa can remain asymptomatic for many years. To diagnosis the disease, microscopy is commonly used. For women, test sample is collected inserting cotton tipped speculum within the vagina. Then specimen is observed under microscope to spot presence of the protozoa. 

This is commonly known as climatic bubo or strumous bubo. Invasive serovars of Chlamydia trachomatis cause the disease. Clinically, this disease can be diagnosed depending upon the stage of infection. Infection can outbreak as self-limiting painless ulcer within 3 to 12 days of infection. Secondary stage occurs after 10 to 30 days from the infection date. However, labs often fail to distinguish between common Chlamydia and lymphogranuloma.