The Better2Know Blog

At Better2Know, we tend to use the acronyms STD (Sexually Transmitted Diseases) and STI (Sexually Transmitted Infections) interchangeably, but we are often asked which one is “correct”?  The short answer is that they both are.  The cover all the different “things” that we test for. STD is now seen as a more old-fashioned term as the term disease conveys an illness that is dangerous and long lasting.  Many of the infections we test for can be treated with antibiotics and can clear up in a week – hardly the same as a disease.

There are some symptoms associated with being HIV positive, but it must be noted that these symptoms do not mean that you are HIV positive, they are also very commonly found with other illnesses including cold/ flu and tummy upset/ food poisoning.  Even if you have more than one symptom please do not panic, it does not mean you are HIV positive.  It is a good idea to get tested alongside treating the symptoms if you have engaged in risky activity such as unprotected sex.

A baby girl, born in Mississippi has been cured of HIV, by the early treatment given to the baby in the first 30 hours of her life.

The most popular STD tests and screens at Better2Know change regularly, however the top five choices remain pretty consistent, they are:

1. HIV Test
2. Full STD/ STI Screen for HIV, Chlamydia, gonorrhoea, Hepatitis B, Mycoplasma and Ureaplasma
3. Comfort Screen a urine only test for: Chlamydia, gonorrhoea, Herpes (Current Infection), Mycoplasma, Ureaplasma, Trichomonas and Gardnerella
4. Chlamydia and gonorrhoea
5. Herpes

This shows the popularity of tests which are not available on the NHS (mycoplasma, ureaplasma, trichomonas, gardnerella) and also the Herpes blood test which detects the Herpes Virus (types I and II) whether or not you have symptoms (the NHS usually only tests if you have symptoms).  With testing for Mycoplasma and Ureaplasma increasingly common in Europe and the USA, and budgets being stretched in the NHS, more people are taking control and seeking a new way of testing.

In the UK, London has the highest proportion and number of people who are living with HIV in the country.  However, the funding to prevent new infections has been cut, despite record numbers of people being found to be HIV+.

A sexual health group have pressured the Scottish Government to consider allowing the morning after pill to be available in schools.

Before considering having a baby it is really important to be certain that you are not carrying any sexually transmitted infections. These infections can be passed on to your baby before they are born and they can also make it more difficult for you to get pregnant. If you are considering donating sperm then you should also get tested to be certain you are not passing any infection onto the mother.

We understand how worrying this is, when you have done the right thing, and then get let down by the equipment.  As far as your STD and STI testing needs are concerned, in this situation both of you should have a full STD screen as infection could go both ways.

The important thing is not to get into a blame game. The really important thing is that they have done the right thing and told you.

It does only take one time to get an STD, STI or HIV. Of course the chances are less than if you have multiple partners, but if you sleep with someone without knowing whether they are infected then once is all it takes.

If you don’t really know what happened, and you have not got any symptoms or outward signs of infection, then Better2Know would suggest the full STD screen.

The first thing is that you should not sleep with your partner until you get tested without using protection (but see our suggestions for just touching and oral sex in this series). We have an incubation or window period for all our tests – this is the time that needs to pass before any STI or STD will be detectable, but you can still transmit any infection in this time.

Needle Stick injuries are usually caused when a health care worker accidentally has their skin broken by a needle or syringe which may have come from a contaminated patient or another source.  They can also be common with professionals (social care and legal staff) who work with patients in health or social care setting.

Congratulations for playing it quite safe, but there are still STIs and STDs that can be passed on through bodily contact.

Sexual Intercourse with a sex worker is one of the most high risk sexual activities there are, because of the large number of partners that each sex worker has, and many clients use more than one sex worker, so it is easy to see how infection can spread and very quickly.  Don’t worry – you are not alone – if no one had sex with a prostitute or sex worker then the service simply wouldn’t exist.

Certain STDs and STIs can be transmitted through the thin lining in the mouth, this is more likely if the person who gave you a blow job had a cut or sore in their mouth. Most commonly these are Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea, but can also include HIV although that is rare.

Due to an increase in demand for Rapid HIV testing, Better2Know is now using a fourth generation rapid HIV test. This test is the most advanced test available and is run by your Better2Know doctor while you wait. It takes just twenty minutes to get you your HIV status, and is over 99% accurate just 26 days after an incident you are concerned about. The test is useful for anyone who wants fast results for peace of mind, or because they need an HIV certificate as proof of their HIV status for work or travel (some countries require you to show that you are HIV negative before giving you a visa).

Rapid HIV testing is available in:

• London
• Birmingham
• Bristol
• Cardiff
• Cheltenham
• Chichester
• Edinburgh
• Liverpool
• Maidstone
• Manchester
• Milton Keynes
• Newcastle
• Oxford
• Perth
• Portsmouth
• Sheffield
• Swansea

The cost is £160, or £120 if added on to any other STD test.

Calculations by the World Health Organisation show that throughout the world, nine million people are affected by Chancroid every year. Despite the fact that Chancroid is considered to be very uncommon in western societies (with as little as one in every two million people having Chancroid), statistics show that those who have been diagnosed, have visited areas where the disease is very common.

HIV and sexual health charity Terrence Higgins Trust is launching a new campaign to remind gay and bisexual men in London that – if they have had unprotected anal sex with a new or casual partner – they should not delay getting tested for HIV.

Chlamydia was found in 3 out of every 100 young people aged 15 to 24 in the free Chlamydia national screening programme, and was highest (up to 9 out of every 100) outside London.

Of all the Valentines day suggestions out there, I suspect not many of you are buying your partner and yourself a sexual health test.

If you are worried that you have an STD or STI one option is to go to your GP.  However most GPs will not offer tests on site and will direct you to a GUM (Genito Urinary Medicine) clinic for testing (and there is only one reason why you will go there).

A new study (in primary care) has shown that more patients with symptoms similar to glandular fever should be offered HIV tests to increase the detection of HIV, and so that positive people can start getting treatment.

There have been new calls this week for the HPV Vaccine to be extended to everyone.  Currently the vaccine (in the UK) is only offered to girls at school.  So far only Australia is offering the vaccine to boys and girls.

Trichomonas Vaginalis is the most prevalent Sexually Transmitted Infection amongst sexually active women. Many women will mistake a Trichomonas infection for a yeast or other infection because the symptoms are very similar. A Trichomonas infection can cause discharge and a strong odour as well as itching and irritation.The only way to be sure what infection you might have if you have any of these symptoms is to get tested. Better2Know offers Trichomonas testing at all of our 80 plus clinics across the UK.

Men can also catch Trichomonas and can infect women with the organism. In men, however, there are often no symptoms so it is very important that men who are sexually active get tested regularly to ensure they are not infecting their partners.

Trichomonas can lead to infertility in women and men so it is particularly important that everyone be tested regularly to prevent infection and re-infection, putting people’s fertility in jeopardy.

A recent study in the United States of over 4300 men found that almost 4% were infected with Trichomonas. Interestingly, the prevalence of Trichomonas infection was highest in men between the ages of 40 and 49. The study also found that almost 10% of the men who were infected with Trichomonas were also infected with Chlamydia, another common STI that can also damage both male and female fertility.

These statistics point to a very real need for both men and women who are sexually active to test for Trichomonas and Chlamydia  on a regular basis. Only by testing will you know what infections you have and the right treatment can then be given to protect you, your partner and the fertility of both of you.

Better2Know works with the UK’s leading pathology laboratories to make sure that your STD test is turned round quickly, and that you get your results as fast as possible.

As with many STDs and STIs, many people infected with trichomonas do not have any signs or symptoms. When trichomonas does cause symptoms (in about 30% of cases), they can range from mild irritation to severe inflammation. Some people with symptoms get them within 5 to 28 days after being infected, but others do not develop symptoms until much later. Symptoms can come and go and will reoccur if left untreated.

Men with trichomonas may feel itching or irritation inside the penis, burning after urination or ejaculation, or some discharge from the penis.

Women with trichomonas may notice itching, burning, redness or soreness of the genitals, discomfort with urination, or a thin discharge with an unusual smell that can be clear, white, yellowish, or greenish.

These symptoms are common to many STIs and STDs so it is important to understand what you have been tested for, so that you can get the right treatment if you have a positive STD test result.

Having trichomonas can make it feel unpleasant to have sex. Without treatment, the infection can last for months or even years.

Trichomonas can increase the risk of getting or spreading  most other STIs. For example, trichomonas can cause genital inflammation that makes it easier to get infected with the HIV virus, or to pass any other infections you have including  the HIV virus on to a new partner.

Pregnant women with trichomonas are more likely to have their babies early and with a low birth weight (less than 5.5 pounds), which can have cumulative effects on the baby’s health.

Trichomonas is easy to treat and cure with antibiotics.

Better2Know can test for Trichomonas at any of its STD Testing clinics across the UK.

The trichomonas parasite is passed from an infected person to an uninfected person during sexual intercourse.

In women, the most commonly infected part of the body is the lower genital tract (vulva, vagina, or urethra), and in men, the most commonly infected body part is the inside of the penis (urethra).

During sex, the parasite is usually transmitted from a penis to a vagina, or from a vagina to a penis, but it can also be passed from a vagina to another vagina. It is uncommon for the parasite to infect other body parts, like the hands, mouth, or anus.

Like many STIs, it is unclear why some people with the infection get symptoms while others do not, but this probably depends on factors like the person’s age and overall health. Infected people without symptoms can still pass the infection on to others.

Better2Know can test for Trichomonas at any of its clinics across the UK.