Consultation of STD (HK$680 up)
The whole consultation will be conducted by a registered doctor and a health consultant. The medical check-up consists of a general medical examination, and a questionnaire about the sexual history. The medical examination includes a thorough check-up of the genital area, oral cavity, and rectum (if necessary). Many STDs can involve the mouth or rectum, especially when oral and anal sex has been practiced.
Urine test and blood tests will be conducted, and sometimes swabs from open sores or discharges may be taken and tested for various microorganisms. Patients are requested not to urinate 2 hours prior the collection of the urine specimen. No fasting is needed for the tests.
Importance of DNA Testing
In order to test STD, blood taking for antigen and antibody detection is commonly used in the market. Unlike such traditional practice, MHS provides comprehensive DNA screening for STD. Compared with antigen and antibody tests, DNA detection not only offers a higher sensitivity and accuracy, but also shortens the testing time.
Demonstration of sensitivity for different tests using required viral load in blood as example:
Antibody Test |
Antigen Test |
DNA Test |
|
Required viral load in blood for STD detection |
100,000 copies/ml |
100,000 copies/ml |
100 copies/ml |
Sensitivity |
Lowest |
Comparatively low |
Highest |
(Above number is only used as example which is not the required viral load in real situation)
Moreover, DNA test can detect common STDs which cannot be detected by antigen and antibody tests, such as Mycoplasma Homins, Mycoplasma Genitalium, Ureaplasma Urelayticum and Ureaplasma Parvum. These are the main cause of men’s urethritis. DNA test can also detect STDs which are usually transmitted to male from female including Candida Albicans and Gardnerella Vaginalis, which cannot be detected by antigen and antibody neither. On this account, STD DNA can be more costly than antigen and antibody tests.
As some STDs have no symptoms, infection can possibly be neglected. Therefore, it is necessary to receive a comprehensive STD check-up for people who have sex life.
Price
STD Consultation |
HK$680 up (Extra charge will be required for extra medication and laboratory tests) |
STD Assessment (per single item) |
HK$100 up (Doctor consultation is required before single item test) |