At present, the STI smear is the basic and easiest way to diagnose a large number of sexually transmitted diseases. After sampling, the biological material is sent to the laboratory, where it is examined using a microscope or by PCR. The latter is considered the most accurate and informative, but the analysis in this case takes a little longer. In order for the results of a smear for STIs to be as reliable as possible, it is necessary to properly prepare for the collection of biomaterial. The gynecologist or urologist is engaged in deciphering the conclusion. The same doctors draw up a treatment regimen when a particular pathology is detected.
What allows you to discover
Sexually transmitted infections are a very wide range of diseases. A smear test for STIs reveals most of them:
- Chlamydia.
- Syphilis.
- Gonorrhea.
- HIV
- Human papillomavirus.
- Mycoplasmosis.
- Cytomegalovirus.
- Ureaplasmosis.
- Lymphogranulomatosis.
- Shankroid.
- Urogenital shigellosis.
- Trichomoniasis.
- Herpes.
- Gardnerellosis.
This is a list of diseases that are diagnosed in patients most often. It is important to know that a smear for STIs can detect any infections that are secreted by the urethra (in men) and the vagina (in women). Viruses are the most difficult to diagnose. This is because they are so small that they are very difficult to see even under a microscope.
Indications
For both men and women, an STI smear is a standard procedure included in the list of annual preventive examinations. The study is mandatory for employees whose professional activities are related to the food industry.
For preventive purposes, it is recommended to donate biomaterial at least once a year. This is true even if the person is not bothered by any alarming symptoms.
It is mandatory to visit a doctor and take a swab if the following signs of sexually transmitted infections appear:
- Increased degree of fatigue.
- An abnormal discharge from the urethra. As a rule, they have a mucous or purulent character.
- Cloudy urine.
- Severe itching and burning in the genital area.
- Enlarged lymph nodes in the groin area.
- Pain during urination.
- Increase in body temperature to subfebrilevalues.
- Discomfort during intercourse.
- Pain in the lower abdomen.
- Abscesses and ulcers formed on the external genitalia.
These are clinical manifestations of STIs that are common to both sexes. In addition, women may experience the following symptoms: menstrual irregularities, irritation in the anus, unusual discharge from the anus, a rash on the labia, swelling of the vulva.
Specific signs of STIs in men: presence of blood in the seminal fluid, frequent urge to urinate, problems with ejaculation, pain in the scrotum, rash on the penis.
In addition, women are tested for STIs both when planning pregnancy and during the gestation period. It is also recommended to seek medical attention as soon as possible after sexual intercourse without the use of barrier protective equipment.
Preparation
In order for the results of the study to be as reliable as possible, it is necessary to strictly follow all the recommendations of the doctor.
Rules of preparation for biomaterial sampling:
- About 2 weeks in advance, you need to stop taking any antibacterial agents. If this is not possible for he alth reasons, it is important to notify the attending physician about this. As a rule, in such cases, the study is postponed to another day. This is due to the fact that antibiotics can erase traces of the activity of the causative agent of a sexually transmitted disease. In some cases, doctors askstop taking medication for at least 24 hours. During this period, the patient's body will not be harmed, and the results will be more reliable.
- It is recommended to carry out hygiene measures using ordinary soap. It is unacceptable to use antibacterial agents on the eve of biomaterial sampling.
- It is not recommended to empty the bladder approximately 3 hours before the examination.
- For two days, you must give up any sexual contact.
- Women are advised to have a Pap smear as soon as their period ends.
In some cases, doctors advise making adjustments to the diet the day before. This method is called provocation. The patient is recommended to eat fatty, fried, smoked, s alty foods the day before. The use of such dishes somewhat weakens the body's defenses, due to which pathogens manifest themselves to the maximum.
Algorithm for taking biomaterial from women
Smearing for STIs is carried out during the appointment with a gynecologist. Immediately before taking the biomaterial, the specialist interviews the patient. The doctor needs to provide all the information regarding the symptoms present and their intensity (if any). After that, the specialist proceeds to a physical examination and directly to taking a smear.
Biomaterial sampling algorithm:
- Patient undresses her lower body.
- A woman is placed on a gynecological chair.
- The doctor puts on disposable sterile gloves and examines the external genitaliawomen.
- Specialist inserts a special dilator into the patient's vagina. Then he examines the mucous membranes with a mirror.
- The doctor takes a biomaterial sampling tool (it looks like an ordinary cotton swab) and inserts it alternately into the cervix, vagina and urethra. After that, the medical device, together with the resulting secret, is closed in a test tube and sent to the laboratory for research.
The biomaterial sampling procedure is not associated with pain. The patient may experience only some discomfort due to the difference in body temperature and the gynecological instruments used. The exception is when there is severe inflammation in the genital area.
The process of taking biomaterial from men
The algorithm for taking the secret is carried out at the appointment with the urologist. The specialist also initially interviews the patient, wondering if they are bothered by any alarming symptoms.
Algorithm for taking a smear for STIs in men:
- The doctor asks to remove the clothes from the genitals.
- The specialist puts on disposable gloves and examines the skin and mucous membranes for rashes and purulent foci.
- The doctor takes a special probe. A smear is taken for STIs from the urethra. The doctor inserts the probe 3-4 cm and slowly scrolls it.
- After that, the specialist removes the medical device and makes a smear on a glass slide. The latter is then sent to the laboratory.
According to numerous reviews, the sampling of biomaterial is accompanied not so much by painful sensations as by psychological discomfort. However, with regular visits to the doctor, it disappears very quickly.
Diagnostic Methods
Microscopy is the simplest smear examination method. It allows you to get results in a short time. The method involves the study of biomaterial under a microscope.
PCR smears for STIs are increasingly being performed. The essence of the polymerase chain reaction is as follows. In the laboratory, a specialist selects from the biomaterial those areas that contain the DNA of the causative agent of a particular disease. The cells then enlarge many times over, making it fairly easy to recognize the inciting agent.
Smear testing for STIs by PCR is the most common. This is due to the fact that this analysis is currently considered the most reliable. To confirm the diagnosis, bacteriological culture may be additionally prescribed.
Normal indicators for women
After the study, a conclusion is drawn up in the laboratory. It reflects normal and actual values.
The gynecologist should deal with the interpretation of a smear for STIs in women. However, the patient herself is able to compare the obtained indicators with those that should be.
Normal values:
- Leukocytes - from 0 to 10 units
- Epithelium - 5-20 units
- Slime - smallquantity.
- Trichomonas, gonococcus, chlamydia, yeast and other pathogenic microorganisms are absent.
- Another microflora - rod.
- Degree of purity - 1-2.
Thus, normally there should be no pathogenic microorganisms in the biological material.
Normal indicators for men
In this case, the interpretation of a smear for STIs is more difficult, and therefore it is recommended to entrust this to a specialist.
The following values are considered normal:
- Leukocytes - from 0 to 5 in the field of view. If they are elevated, it is recommended to retake a smear from the urethra for STIs using the PCR method (only if the biomaterial was initially studied under a microscope).
- Epithelium. Normally, it should be flat, cylindrical is allowed. The number of epithelial cells in the field of view should be from 5 to 10. With an increase in this indicator, it is customary to speak of an inflammatory process. The presence of transitional epithelial cells indicates prostatitis.
- Slime - moderate amount. Sometimes in the conclusion you can see the value "++" or "+++". In this case, it is also customary to talk about the development of the inflammatory process.
- Gonococcus, Trichomonas, yeast, fungi, chlamydia, ureaplasma and other pathogens - not detected.
In addition, the microflora should normally be represented by single cocci.
How long to wait
The deadlines directly depend on the method by which the biological material is studied. The easiest way is microscopy. As a rule, in the laboratory, a smear is studied by this method rather quickly. Most often, the analysis takes no more than an hour. The fastest results of the study are received by patients who apply to a medical institution equipped with its own laboratory. Otherwise, it is necessary to take into account the time spent on the delivery of the biomaterial. As a rule, you can get the results of the study the next day.
PCR smear analysis is not only a reliable, but also a fast method for diagnosing sexually transmitted diseases. On average, its duration is 4 hours. Thus, it is possible to obtain the results of the study on the day of delivery or the next day.
Bacteriological culture is a method that requires at least 1 week to complete. Its essence is to place the biomaterial in a favorable environment and monitor the vital activity of pathogens if they are present. That is why research takes so long.
Deviations from the norm: what to do
When pathogens are identified, treatment should be initiated as soon as possible. If a microscopic examination has been performed, the doctor may recommend that you take a smear for STIs again, but in this case, the biomaterial will be examined by PCR. Bacteriological culture is less commonly prescribed.
When confirming the diagnosis, the doctor makes the most effective treatment regimen. It may include medication (antibiotics), topical treatment of the vulva, and douching. The choice of drugs is carried out exclusively by a doctor. The specialist must take into account not only the type of pathogen, but also the individual characteristics of the patient's he alth.
Where to return
Sampling of biomaterial for STIs is carried out both in private and public medical institutions. In polyclinics at the place of residence, you can get a test for free. This is true for the microscopic method. Carrying out PCR and bakposev requires the presence of certain reagents, due to which these studies are paid even in budgetary institutions.
Cost
The average price of microscopic analysis is 450 rubles. For a PCR study, you will have to pay about 2200 rubles. In this case, the analysis is carried out on the 12 most common infections. Advanced research is correspondingly more expensive. The cost of bacterial seeding is approximately 1,500 rubles.
In closing
Everyone should be tested annually for sexually transmitted infections, or more frequently if recurring warning symptoms occur. In the laboratory, the biomaterial can be studied in several ways. One of the most informative is the PCR method.
