{"id":8654,"date":"2025-01-22T05:31:50","date_gmt":"2025-01-22T03:31:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/?p=8654"},"modified":"2026-04-29T14:06:53","modified_gmt":"2026-04-29T11:06:53","slug":"plr-test-on-ipssh-accurate-diagnosis-of-respiratory-infections","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/plr-test-on-ipssh-accurate-diagnosis-of-respiratory-infections\/","title":{"rendered":"PCR test for STIs: accurate diagnosis of hidden infections"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2 data-start=\"63\" data-end=\"109\"><strong data-start=\"66\" data-end=\"109\">Why PCR is more than just an analysis<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"111\" data-end=\"627\">Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can go undetected for years. Often, a person does not feel any discomfort, but the infection is already destroying the body from the inside or is being transmitted to others. Therefore <strong data-start=\"318\" data-end=\"362\">Timely diagnosis is critically important<\/strong>.<br data-start=\"363\" data-end=\"366\" \/>One of the most effective ways to detect such diseases is <strong data-start=\"429\" data-end=\"441\">PCR test<\/strong> (polymerase chain reaction). It detects the DNA or RNA of the pathogen, even if it is present in microscopic quantities. This makes the PCR test the gold standard of modern <a href=\"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/diagnostics-of-venereal-diseases-methods-of-preparation-for-analysis-and-decoding-of-results\/\">STI diagnostics<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2 data-start=\"629\" data-end=\"663\"><strong data-start=\"632\" data-end=\"663\">What does a PCR test for STIs detect?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"665\" data-end=\"731\">The method is suitable for detecting a wide range of pathogens, including:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"733\" data-end=\"1136\">\n<li data-start=\"733\" data-end=\"774\"><strong data-start=\"735\" data-end=\"760\">Chlamydia trachomatis<\/strong> \u2014 chlamydia<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"775\" data-end=\"814\"><a href=\"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/analysis\/infectious-disease-panel\/gonorrhea-diagnosis\/neisseria-gonorrhoeae-gonorrhea-ug-zishkrib\/\"><strong data-start=\"777\" data-end=\"802\">Neisseria gonorrhoeae<\/strong> <\/a>\u2014 gonorrhea<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"815\" data-end=\"868\"><strong data-start=\"817\" data-end=\"852\">Mycoplasma genitalium \/ hominis<\/strong> \u2014 mycoplasmosis<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"869\" data-end=\"922\"><strong data-start=\"871\" data-end=\"906\"><a href=\"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/analysis\/infectious-disease-panel\/ureaplasmosis-diagnosis\/ureaplasma-urealyticum-ureaplazmoz-ug-zishkrib\/\">Ureaplasma urealyticum<\/a> \/ parvum<\/strong> \u2014 ureaplasmosis<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"923\" data-end=\"966\"><strong data-start=\"925\" data-end=\"950\">Trichomonas vaginalis<\/strong> \u2014 trichomoniasis<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"967\" data-end=\"1020\"><strong data-start=\"969\" data-end=\"997\">Herpes simplex virus 1\/2<\/strong> \u2014 genital herpes<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1021\" data-end=\"1056\"><strong data-start=\"1023\" data-end=\"1054\">HPV (human papillomavirus)<\/strong><\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1057\" data-end=\"1086\"><strong data-start=\"1059\" data-end=\"1084\">CMV (cytomegalovirus)<\/strong><\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1087\" data-end=\"1136\"><strong data-start=\"1089\" data-end=\"1113\">HIV, hepatitis B and C<\/strong> \u2014 in expanded panels<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-8656\" src=\"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/doctors-day-handsome-brunette-cute-guy-medical-gown-with-hands-pocket.jpg\" alt=\"PCR analysis results\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" srcset=\"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/doctors-day-handsome-brunette-cute-guy-medical-gown-with-hands-pocket.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/doctors-day-handsome-brunette-cute-guy-medical-gown-with-hands-pocket-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/doctors-day-handsome-brunette-cute-guy-medical-gown-with-hands-pocket-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/doctors-day-handsome-brunette-cute-guy-medical-gown-with-hands-pocket-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/doctors-day-handsome-brunette-cute-guy-medical-gown-with-hands-pocket-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/doctors-day-handsome-brunette-cute-guy-medical-gown-with-hands-pocket-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2 data-start=\"1138\" data-end=\"1172\"><strong data-start=\"1141\" data-end=\"1172\">Real examples from practice<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"1174\" data-end=\"1560\"><strong data-start=\"1174\" data-end=\"1240\">Example 1. Asymptomatic infection in a couple planning pregnancy<\/strong><br data-start=\"1240\" data-end=\"1243\" \/>The couple went to the doctor to prepare for pregnancy. There were no health complaints. During the PCR examination, both were found to be <strong data-start=\"1381\" data-end=\"1394\">chlamydia<\/strong>, which could affect the ability to conceive and cause complications in the expectant mother.<br data-start=\"1484\" data-end=\"1487\" \/>After a course of antibiotic therapy and a repeat test, the infection was cleared.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1562\" data-end=\"1881\"><strong data-start=\"1562\" data-end=\"1608\">Example 2. Frequent \u00abcolds\u00bb in the intimate area<\/strong><br data-start=\"1608\" data-end=\"1611\" \/>A 29-year-old woman complained of periodic painful rashes in the genital area. PCR test confirmed the presence of <strong data-start=\"1739\" data-end=\"1764\">herpes virus type 2<\/strong>.<br data-start=\"1765\" data-end=\"1768\" \/>Thanks to timely diagnosis, antiviral therapy was prescribed and the number of relapses was reduced.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1883\" data-end=\"2255\"><strong data-start=\"1883\" data-end=\"1924\">Example 3. Asymptomatic HPV carriage<\/strong><br data-start=\"1924\" data-end=\"1927\" \/>A 35-year-old man, without clinical symptoms, underwent a PCR test for HPV after his partner was found to have atypical cervical cells. The analysis confirmed the presence of <strong data-start=\"2083\" data-end=\"2113\">highly oncogenic HPV type<\/strong>.<br data-start=\"2114\" data-end=\"2117\" \/>This allowed the couple to undergo necessary treatment and preventive monitoring, which may reduce the risks of developing cancer in the future.<\/p>\n<h2 data-start=\"2257\" data-end=\"2293\"><strong data-start=\"2260\" data-end=\"2293\">Advantages of PCR in detecting STIs<\/strong><\/h2>\n<ul data-start=\"2295\" data-end=\"2622\">\n<li data-start=\"2295\" data-end=\"2381\"><strong data-start=\"2297\" data-end=\"2323\">Maximum sensitivity<\/strong> \u2013 detects infection even with a small amount of the pathogen.<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2382\" data-end=\"2431\"><strong data-start=\"2384\" data-end=\"2408\">Speed of result<\/strong> \u2013 mostly 1\u20132 days.<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2432\" data-end=\"2530\"><strong data-start=\"2434\" data-end=\"2473\">Possibility of examination without symptoms<\/strong> \u2014 the test is relevant even in the complete absence of complaints.<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2531\" data-end=\"2622\"><strong data-start=\"2533\" data-end=\"2566\">Evaluation of treatment effectiveness<\/strong> \u2014 control PCR after therapy confirms recovery.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 data-start=\"2624\" data-end=\"2651\"><strong data-start=\"2627\" data-end=\"2651\">How the test works<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"2653\" data-end=\"2681\">Biomaterials can be:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"2682\" data-end=\"2809\">\n<li data-start=\"2682\" data-end=\"2717\">cervical or urethral swab<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2718\" data-end=\"2749\">urine (especially in men)<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2750\" data-end=\"2761\">ejaculate<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2762\" data-end=\"2809\">rectal or throat swab (if necessary)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"2811\" data-end=\"2885\">The sampling procedure takes a few minutes and is performed under sterile conditions.<\/p>\n<h2 data-start=\"2887\" data-end=\"2919\"><strong data-start=\"2890\" data-end=\"2919\">Preparation for PCR analysis<\/strong><\/h2>\n<ul data-start=\"2921\" data-end=\"3219\">\n<li data-start=\"2921\" data-end=\"2981\">Do not use <strong data-start=\"2934\" data-end=\"2949\">antibiotics<\/strong> within 10 days before delivery<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2982\" data-end=\"3031\">Refrain from <strong data-start=\"2999\" data-end=\"3017\">sexual intercourse<\/strong> in 48 hours<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3032\" data-end=\"3101\">Do not spend <strong data-start=\"3047\" data-end=\"3087\">hygiene procedures with antiseptics<\/strong> on the eve<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3102\" data-end=\"3163\"><strong data-start=\"3104\" data-end=\"3124\">Do not urinate<\/strong> at least 2 hours before sample collection<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3164\" data-end=\"3219\"><strong data-start=\"3166\" data-end=\"3176\">For women<\/strong> it is advisable to avoid testing during menstruation<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>PCR analysis is the most reliable way to detect sexually transmitted infections at an early stage. Even in the absence of symptoms, it allows you to identify the pathogen, conduct treatment, and protect yourself and your partner from complications and consequences. Regular testing is a step towards a safe and responsible life.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Why PCR is more than just a test Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can go undetected for years<\/p>","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":8655,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-8654","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8654","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8654"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8654\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/8655"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8654"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8654"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8654"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}