The Better2Know Blog

A lot of people who have become infected with syphilis can go symptom free for years and years, but this does not eliminate the risk of them experiencing complications later on in life if the condition goes untreated. There are three different stages of syphilis: primary, secondary, and tertiary. The disease is passed by people that are in the primary or secondary stage of the disease (where sores are present). However, a person may be unaware of that they are infected and pass the condition along to their partner(s) through sexual intercourse.

Primary stage syphilis is where the infected individual develops single or multiple sores called chancres. From the time of infection symptoms tend to appear within ten to ninety days. These sores are characterized as being small, round, painless, and firm. In general chancres appear at the site where the infection entered the body. The sore remains for three to six weeks and heals on its own. But, if one does not receive treatment the infection will move onto the next stage.

Secondary stage syphilis is marked by skin rashes and lesions of the mucous membranes. Typically, it will start out with the development of a rash in one or more areas of the body. Generally, the rash does not cause irritation or itchiness. These rashes can manifest themselves while primary stage sores are still present or weeks after they have diminished. The rashes that afflict those with secondary syphilis generally are red, rough, or red-brown spots that appear on the palms of your hands or on the bottoms of your feet. Rashes that show up on different parts of the body will have different characteristics and may look similar to rashes caused by other conditions. In many cases the rashes may be very minor and go unnoticed.

Other symptoms that may arise from secondary stage syphilis are: fever, swollen lymph nodes, headaches, unexplained weight loss, achy muscles, chronic fatigue, sore throats, or hair loss (usually patches at a time). The body will resolve the complications of secondary stage syphilis, but if the infection is not treated it will progress to the tertiary stage of the disease.

The tertiary stage, also known as the late or latent stage, of syphilis occurs once the primary and secondary symptoms have cleared up. At this stage a person will continue to carry the infection while there will be no signs or symptoms. Late stage syphilis occurs in approximately fifteen percent of individuals that have not received treatment and can manifest ten to twenty years after being initially infected. The effects of this stage of the disease are damage to organs such as the eyes, brain, nervous system, liver, bones, and joints. This damage will cause symptoms such as poor coordination and impaired movement, paralysis, loss of sight, loss of feeling, and dementia. The damage caused to the body can be severe enough to result in death.

Sexually transmitted diseases (STD) have been plaguing mankind for centuries. With millions of people stricken per year, the incidence of such conditions continues to cause alarm for many countries as well as international organizations. It has been found by researchers that people in developing countries, particularly in Africa and South America, are more prone to acquiring STDs. In line with this, treatments are not easy to obtain in such nations because of limited access to updated medical facilities.

Among the most concerning STDs that continues to afflict millions is HIV, also known as Human Immunodeficiency Virus. First identified and isolated in 1981, this disease, along with Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), is said to have caused the deaths of more than 25 million people across the globe, as reported by the World Health Organization (WHO). As of the year 2007, more than 33 million people are estimated to have HIV, and of these statistics, more than half of them are of people aged 25 years old and below, as the WHO states. When the HIV infection is left untreated, symptoms can escalate and develop into AIDS. Despite the attempt for better cures, the number of people with AIDS and HIV worldwide continues to increase.

Because of such concerns, most health facilities and institutions in the United States and around the world recommend STD testing as well as the HIV test for patients who may be prone to these diseases. Because some STD symptoms may be similar to other non-STD related conditions, it is best to have such tests taken, in order for treatment or preventive care to be duly administered. For people who are interested in STD testing, there are many STD clinics that provide such services. While these facilities intend to keep results of tests private, the patient concerned has the choice to grant these STD clinics permission to share the results with research organizations to aid the search for better STD treatments. It is important to note that HIV testing, AIDS testing, or tests for other STDs is highly encouraged for expectant mothers, as this can help avoid the transfer of the disease to the unborn child.

In line with the increasing stats on HIV and AIDS, many medical researches continue to pursue more effective means of alleviating the symptoms of HIV, AIDS, as well as other sexually transmitted diseases. In the end, mankind can expect the absolute cure that will eliminate these illnesses from society. At present, information and prevention are the best means to avoid getting infected.

Sexually transmitted diseases (STD) may be acquired through various modes. Whether it is through direct sexual contact from different partners, transferred via blood, or through non-sterile surgical and medical equipment, anyone is at risk of getting such a disease. One of the best ways of preventing STDs is to make well-informed choices with regards to sexual practices and to undergo STD testing to be sure of one’s condition.

The most effective way to avoid transmitting Syphilis or any STD is to practise abstinence or be in a monogamous relationship where both partners are known to be free of any STDs or STIs (sexually transmitted infections).

When you are worried that you may have contracted an STD, it is important that you get an STD test quickly. Waiting for your results can be stressful for both you and your sexual partner and that is why many people are now choosing private STD testing clinics, as opposed to their local GP.

Gay men are being warned about the risk of contracting HIV as figures show a higher rate of new diagnoses. The Health Protection Agency (HPA) nearly 40% of the 7,370 cases of HIV in 2008 were in gay men; double the number of a decade ago.

Recent studies into sexual behaviour have suggested that there are still high numbers of gay men that engage in unprotected sex, but new diagnoses of HIV within the gay community has fallen slightly over the past few years.

HIV expert at the HPA, Dr Barry Evans said: “Gay men continue to be the group in the UK most at risk of acquiring HIV”.

Adding that, “Safe sex is the best way to protect against HIV infection.”

The figures show that overall new diagnoses had fallen from 7,660 in 2007, and that cases affecting gay men was also down from 3,050 to 2,830, but the HPA was still concerned about the number of late diagnoses, with around 20% of gay men’s diagnoses coming beyond the point when treatment should of started; this greatly increases the chance of death within the first year.

A recent study by disease experts has found that one in four TB deaths are HIV related, nearly double that as previously thought. The World Health Organization says that the co-infection is still a major challenge and that HIV and TB services should join together to treat the conditions in tandem.

Tuberculosis kills more people with HIV than any other disease, but only 1% of people with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus were screened for Tuberculosis in 2008. It is estimated that in 2007 there was 1.37 million new cases of TB in HIV sufferers worldwide and over 450,000 deaths.

Director of the World Health Organization, Dr Margaret Chan said: “These findings point to an urgent need to find, prevent and treat TB in people living with HIV and to test for HIV in all patients with TB”.

And added that: “Countries can only do that through stronger collaborative programmes and stronger health systems that address both diseases.”

According to the Health Protection Agency, UK cases of TB have increase 2% since 2007 rising to 8,679 cases in 2008. London still has the most new diagnoses of TB with 3,415 reported cases in 2008, about 39% of the total for the whole of the UK.

A recent study conducted by the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has indicated that one in four teenage girls in the US has an STD (sexually Transmitted Disease). The study, which analysed data from 838 girls between the ages of 14 and 19, also found a higher percentage of STD rates in black girls.

The research found that nearly 50% of the African-American girls studied had at least one sexually transmitted disease, while white and Mexican-American girls with STD’s was around 20%.

Human Papilloma Virus (which causes cervical cancer) was the most common STD, followed by Chlamydia, trichomoniasis and herpes. The CDC has stated that the study is the first of its kind, examining the prevalence of STD’s amongst teenage girls.

A spokesperson from the CDC, Devin Fenton said that the issue was serious and that: “Screening, vaccination and other prevention strategies for sexually active women are among our highest public health priorities”.

The CNC also recommended that there should be an annual Chlamydia screening test for sexually active women under the age of 25, and Human Papilloma Virus vaccines for girls aged 11 and 12.

Gonorrhoea is an extremely infectious sexually transmitted disease. It is caused by a bacteria know as Neisseria Gonorrhoea. It affects the mucous membranes of the genitals which become swollen with no other initial complications. In men and women, symptoms vary. In males, gonorrhoea initiates as an infection of the urethra. In females, it usually attacks the cervix. Should this disease be left untreated, severe medical conditions may arise.

Incidences of gonorrhoea, also known as “the clap”, have declined consistently since the 1980’s. This is attributed to campaigns to educate the public about the risks and complications of becoming infected by STDs. Nonetheless, there are up to one million cases in the UK each year. It is difficult to gauge the actual number of cases because of the privacy afforded to patients that may lead to under-reporting.

Gonorrhoea affects people of all creeds, ages, and social status. However, statistics show that individuals of different age groups are at higher risk than others. Teenagers and young adults (ages 15-29) make up over eighty percent of all reported cases each year. People that engage in sexual intercourse with multiple partners and practice “unsafe sex” are at the highest risk of contracting the disease.

As with most STDs, gonorrhoea is transmitted through an array of sexual activities. Men and women alike can contract the disease through oral, anal, or vaginal intercourse. The disease has a very high rate of transmittal from one person to the next. After just one encounter with an infected male a women will contract the disease up to ninety percent of the time.

If you are worried that you may have contracted an STD such as gonorrhoea, Better2Know is here to help. 100% confidential testing with fast results (one to five days depending on the test), and you don’t even have to give us a name. The sooner you diagnose and treat gonorrhoea the better, so go get tested!

Being HIV positive and pregnant does not automatically mean that your child will develop the virus. If a pregnant woman does not have any treatment for the condition, then the unborn baby has between 20 and 45% chance of being infected with the virus. The virus can be transmitted during the pregnancy through the placenta, during the birth via contact with bodily fluids and can also be passed on through breast milk.

However, in the UK nine out of ten women with the HIV virus are diagnosed before or during pregnancy. Most women are treated with anti-retroviral drugs during their pregnancy and take preventative measures during and after the birth; this can reduce their child’s risk of catching the virus to under 2%.

Having a caesarean section also reduces the risk to the baby, but if the HIV is well managed, a natural birth may not increase the risk either.

Testing a child for HIV is difficult, because every new born baby whose mother is HIV positive has antibodies to the virus in their blood. These antibodies will disappear over time if the child does not have the HIV virus. This can take up to 18 months, so you will not be able to tell for sure if they have contracted the virus until they are nearly two years old.

Better2Know provides private HIV tests that are 100% confidential with fast results.

Sexually Transmitted Diseases, otherwise known as STDs, are a group of diseases that are transmitted through sexual intercourse. Sexual intercourse is defined as anal, vaginal, or oral intercourse. STDs can be bacterial or viral; some can be life threatening, can cause infertility, or severely uncomfortable symptoms, while other STDs may be dormant and show no signs or cause any health related complications until years later.

The medical community reports that sexually transmitted diseases are widespread and affect thousands upon thousands of people throughout the UK and worldwide. Over the last decade the largest increase in incidents of STDs has been in our teenage population.

Educating our society about sexually transmitted diseases, their affects, and prevention measures are the keys to helping our society control the spreading of these conditions. There are many types of STDs that affect one’s health and quality of life in various ways. Some of these diseases do not have a cure and the infected person will be a carrier of the disease for the rest of their lives. A couple of examples of incurable STDs are genital herpes and HIV.

If you are worried about HIV, Better2Know offer HIV Testing in London and many other locations throughout the UK.

Prevention is highly emphasised as the only way to control the spreading of sexually transmitted diseases. Practicing safe sex, knowing your partner’s health history, and abstinence are the best ways to avoid transmitting a viral or bacterial STD. Throughout this site you will learn about the different types of STDs, signs and symptoms you should be aware of, and the various treatment options that are available today.

When first becoming infected with the herpes virus it is possible that you will feel ill with a minor fever, aches, and pains – much like having a common cold or flu. Clusters of little, but painful, blisters will materialize in the genital and/or anal region. The tendency is for the blisters to show up in crops over a one to two week period. They then turn into smaller sores.

The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a retrovirus that attacks the immune system and leaves the infected person with a greater risk of contracting a serious infection or disease. The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that there are 33 million sufferers of HIV worldwide, and also estimates that the virus has claimed upward of 25 million lives since the pandemic began in the early 1980’s.

HIV infects CD4 blood cells, which are responsible for fighting infections and once infected, the CD4 cells are destroyed leaving the body open to infections and diseases. In an attempt to stop the virus, the body will try to produce more CD4 cells, which will eventually be destroyed, leading to the immune system stopping.

The HIV virus is particularly prevalent in sub-Sanaran Africa and although not as widespread in the UK, it is still estimated that there are 73,000 people with the infection, with 30% of people not knowing that they have the virus.

The most common way in which the HIV virus is spread is through sexual intercourse and exchanging bodily fluids such as semen, vaginal fluids and blood. This is not the only way of contracting the virus, which can also be spread by sharing intravenous syringes and can be passed onto an unborn baby if the mother is HIV positive; however it is now possible to prevent HIV from being passed from mother to child.

The HIV virus most commonly affect gay men who have had unprotected sex, but it is now estimated that up to one in ten cases of HIV are transmitted during heterosexual sex.

Anyone who feels that they or their partners may be at risk of HIV, must go for a HIV test immediately, using a private HIV testing clinic will ensure that you get your results back within 1 – 2 days; it can take up to 2 weeks to get your HIV results back from your local GP.

If you are worried if you have caught an STD or have multiple partners, it is important that you have an STD test. We know it can be daunting for some, but here at Better2Know, we offer private STD and HIV testing clinics all over the UK.

Better2Know have more STD testing clinics in London than any other STD testing provider, with sites at Canary Warf, Oxford Street and Wimbledon to name a few, as well as STD clinics in Liverpool, Manchester, Cardiff and Edinburgh. Please check the locations page for your local STD clinic.

All STD and HIV tests are 100% anonymous and confidential, no medical records are kept and no information is shared with third parties. You can also give us a false name if you would prefer, as long as your contact details are correct so we can give you your results. Please note that if you get tested through your NHS doctor, the results will go onto your medical record.

Getting your STD results back is also easier with Better2Know; our doctors can provide you with your STD results within 2 days and HIV test results can be done instantly, taking the load of your mind. NHS and local GP results can take up to 2 weeks.

Anyone who has multiple partners is advised to have regular STD tests, and people who have been diagnosed with an STD are advised to get a full STD test as there is a bigger risk of having another STD.

The Human Papilloma Virus, known as HPV, affects the epidermis and certain membranes that line different areas of the body such as the inside layer of the throat or mouth, the cervix, or the anus.

In the past few years, the UK has experienced a significant number of reported cases of sexually transmitted infections. For instance, between the years of 1995 and 2005 the number of people who were diagnosed with Chlamydia tripled. Other common STIs are: genital herpes, hepatitis B, non-specific urethritis, trichomoniasis, pubic lice, syphilis, HIV, and gonorrhoea.

If you should have any of the following symptoms you may have a STI:

• Abnormal discharge from the anus, penis, or vagina.
• In women – bleeding between periods or after sex.
• Discomfort during urination.
• Increased frequency in urination.
• Lower abdominal pain or pain in the pelvic region.
• Infection in the throat or rectum.

It is also possible that you have an STI without any noticeable symptoms as some infections can remain dormant for several years. If you feel that you are at risk of having an STI you should take the time to be tested. If STIs are left untreated and allowed to run their course they can cause many unwanted complications later on in life. Female specific complications may include Pelvic Inflammatory Disease, ectopic pregnancies, and infertility. Complications for men may include pain during erections or inflammation of the testicles and prostate gland.

Generally, STIs are brought on by harmful bacteria or viruses that are passed during sexual intercourse or intimate bodily contact. This includes genital contact, sexual intercourse, sharing sex toys, and oral sex. Those that have multiple sexual partners are at greater risk of transmitting a STI.

In a drive to encourage more 16 to 24 year old people to be screened for Chlamydia, NHS Hounslow has turned to the internet and text messages. The London based care trust has set up an online service allowing its residents to request a Chlamydia self-testing kit; the results can then be received by text message, a phone call or by letter.

The NHS Hounslow care trust looks after the health of more than 200,000 residents living is West London and is writing to 19,500 young people to tell them about the new service. A spokesperson for the trust said: “Once you get the postal kit you need to give a urine or swab sample, which is then sent to a laboratory.”

Adding that, “The results are sent back by either text message or call or letter. If the result does come back ‘positive’, it is easily treated with one dose of antibiotics. I also advise that they make sure that their sexual partner also gets tested, as they may also need to be treated.”

Chlamydia is the most common STD in the UK amongst 16 to 24 year olds and the Hounslow trust hopes that its new electronic service will offer a more discreet way for young people to get tested.

Many STD’s are asymptomatic for long periods, which mean that many people don’t even know that they have an infection. Undiagnosed STD’s can cause serious additional medical risks in both males and females and this is why you should have a STD test if you are worried that you have an infection or have multiple partners.

If untreated, Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD’s) such as Chlamydia and gonorrhoea can cause infertility in both men and women, and could increase the risk of a miscarriage or premature births during pregnancy.

There is also an increased risk of cancer for both sexes; men who have a history of gonorrhoea are more likely to develop prostate cancer, whereas women with a history of HPV (genital warts) are more likely to develop cervical cancer.

If you have been diagnosed with an STD, it is important to have a full STD test, as there is an increased risk of having other sexually transmitted infections. There is also a risk of the infection being passed onto a child during labour; this can be a serious problem and can cause adverse health conditions such as severe neurological damage, blindness and even death.

If you are worried about STD’s, it is important you book an STD test. Better2Know can provide a range of STD tests, including the Full STD Screen and the Peace of Mind Screen.

In a recent study by the National Institute of Infectious Diseases, it states that there has been a surge of syphilis cases in Japan over the past few years. After the Second World War, the rate of syphilis sufferers was greatly reduced, thanks to advancements in antibiotics, but the rate of syphilis cases has risen by nearly 100 new cases each year since 2003.

The groups with the highest increases of syphilis were males aged between 35 and 39, and females aged between 20 and 24. The increase in the number of women diagnosed with syphilis has tripled since 2003.

Talking about the study, Koji Saida, from a maternity clinic in Osaka said: “The cause is probably the trend for more sexual partners. Sales of condoms are down, and the increase in syphilis infection would seem to correlate with this,”

Syphilis is caused by a bacterial organism called treponema pallidum and is passed on through close contact with an infected area. It is usually passed on through unprotected sex, oral sex or by sharing sex toys, but can also be spread by sharing intravenous needles if you are a drug taker.

The symptoms of gonorrhoea usually appear 1 to 14 days after the infection has been caught, but in many cases symptoms may not appear for a few months or until the infection has been passed to other areas of the body.

Symptoms of gonorrhoea typically include a coloured and often smelly discharge from the penis and vagina, a frequent need to urinate and pain or tenderness in the lower abdomen or genital area.

It is thought that around 50% of women and 10% of men who have been infected with gonorrhoea experience little or no symptoms, meaning that the infection can go untreated for many months.

Testing for gonorrhoea is quite straight forward; the doctor or nurse will use a swab (similar to a cotton bud) and take a sample from the cervix or penis to test for the presence of Neisseria Gonorrhoeae, which is the bacterium that causes gonorrhoea. Depending on where you are tested, the results can be given on the same day or up to 2 weeks. Better2Know can get you results 2 days after your sample reaches our laboratory.

If you are diagnosed with gonorrhoea, it is suggested that you get tested for other STD’s, as nearly 40% of women diagnosed also have the Chlamydia infection. Gonorrhoea is treated using a single dose of antibiotics; this can be in the form or a pill or an injection. Another test should be booked for three days after treatment to ensure that the treatment has been effective.

Due to the rapid increase of STDs in the UK over the past few years, an increasing number of GP Clinics in London are adopting a new texting system to boost awareness of their sexual health programmes. It is hoped that the new texting system will urge patients to go and have screening tests for STDs such as Chlamydia and Syphilis.

Not the sort of email that you would like to receive, but a website called inspot.org offers people the chance to send their partner an e-card to notify them that they may have an STD. Visitors to the site can select one of six e-cards, urging their partners to get tested for sexually transmitted diseases.

The site was created in 2004 by the Internet Sexuality Information Services (ISIS), and was in response to the huge rise in syphilis amongst gay men in California.

Andrew Woodruff, who is the program director for ISIS said: “We wanted to figure out a way for men to tell their partners if they’ve been exposed to an STD. It was initially for gay men, but we had focus groups and decided the service should be available for everybody.”

Mr Woodruff went to say that: “Increasingly, more and more people are using the Internet to find partners and meet people for sex, so it makes sense to use it for sex education,” Woodruff said. “It’s only logical people use it to notify their partners they’ve been exposed to an STD.”

After users choose an e-card, they can write a personal message and must select the appropriate STD from a list. The e-card is then sent anonymously, or the sender can put their details on if they so wish.

The recipient of the e-card will be taken to the inspot.org website, where they can read information about STD’s and helps them find a local testing clinic.

A NHS survey has found that six out of ten people under the age of 25 fears that they have been infected with Chlamydia over the Christmas holidays. The survey, which questioned 509 people aged between 16 and 24, also found that 69% of them had engaged in unprotected sex during the holiday period.

The recent figures have stunned health experts and they urge anyone who thinks that they may have the infection to get tested.

Chris Morgan of the Westside Contraceptive Service said: “Chlamydia is the most prevalent STI in the UK and it also does not have any symptoms”.

In a separate initiative, NHS officials in East Essex have started a new £250,000 project for Chlamydia screening. The trust will be giving away free cinema tickets to anyone aged between 18 and 24, who take a Chlamydia test.

A spokesman for NHS North East Essex said: “There is a national target from the Department of Health which says you need to screen 35 per cent of young people in that age bracket to make an impact.”

And added that, “We’re already working with GPs and pharmacists to get people tested but we are hoping this will provide more of an incentive.”

Scientists in the US have developed a cream that could prevent genital herpes from spreading from an infected person to a new host. The cream, which has been successfully tested on mice, prevents the infection from replicating in a new person.

Herpes is caused by the virus herpes simplex (HSV) and there are two types of the infection; HSV 1 and HSV 2. HSV 1 is typically associated with cold sores or whitlows (sores on the hands and fingers), and HSV 2 is associated with genital sores, but both types can produce genital blisters.

The cream, which was developed at the Harvard Medical School, stops the virus from replicating and it is hoped that the cream will be developed for human use in the near future.

Professor Judy Lieberman, who led the research said: “This aspect has a real practicality to it. If we can reproduce these results in people, this could have a powerful impact on preventing transmission.”

The HIV virus is very difficult to diagnose from symptoms alone, and it is estimated that 1 in 3 people who have the infection in the UK remain undiagnosed. There are a number of high-risk groups that could potentially catch the infection and these include:

• Men who have unprotected sex with other men,
• People who have been travelling or lived in sub-Saharan Africa,
• People who have had sex with a person who has been travelling or lived in sub-Saharan Africa,
• People who inject illegal recreational drugs,
• People who have had sex with a person who inject illegal recreational drugs,
• People who have been infected with another sexually transmitted disease, or
• People who have had a blood transfusion whilst in Africa, Southern America or Eastern Europe.

It is of the utmost importance that you have a HIV test if you are in one of these high-risk groups. The HIV test is done by taking blood and testing it for the presence of the HIV virus, but the test will only detect the presence of the virus after three months of the initial infection. It is advised that a second test be taken three months after the first one.

Syphilis is a form of bacterial infection and is particularly dangerous because after some initial symptoms, it can lay dormant for years, only to reoccur causing damage to the nervous system, brain, heart and eyes, which can be potentially deadly.

Syphilis is usually transmitted through sexual contact, though it can be caught through sharing infected needles and blood transfusions; it can also be passed from mother to child during pregnancy; this is called congenital syphilis.

The symptoms of syphilis usually begin with painless sores on the skin, which are called chancres. These are highly infectious and anyone that comes into contact with them, usually during sexual contact, can be infected. This is called Primary Syphilis.

Secondary Syphilis symptoms will develop if the infection is not treated between 2 and 10 weeks and include non specific symptoms like, a sore throat, skin rash, tiredness and headaches. The symptoms will then subside even before treatment.

The infection may then lay dormant for many years and then return, causing damage to the body and organs, even causing death. This is the most dangerous stage of Syphilis and is known as Tertiary Syphilis.

Recent figures released by the Department of Health have reported a rise in the number of sufferers of Hepatitis C. The report shows that there are more than 7,500 cases of Hepatitis C nationwide, but the Department of Health warns that there is an estimated 200,000 people that have it in the UK without realising it.

The figures also show that the North West had the most cases, with over 1,600 sufferers in 2007. A national Hepatitis C campaign has been launched this week in a bid to teach people about the disease, its symptoms and to get people to be tested for the infection.

Hepatitis C is a virus that can lead to lasting liver damage if it is not treated. It is usually transmitted through blood to blood contact such as sharing needles, getting tattoos or piercings from unsterile needles and unprotected sex with an infected person.

Speaking about Hepatitis C, the UK’s Chief Medical Officer Sir Liam Donaldson said, “It can take years or even decades for symptoms to appear, if at all. If left untreated, it can lead to liver damage and premature death.”

He also added that: “Fortunately, effective treatment is available, so it is vital that people who may have been at risk of infection seek medical advice and get tested.”

People who are worried about the risk of Hepatitis C, or think that they might of been exposed to the virus, should contact their GP or nearest STD testing clinic. Better2Know has clinics across the UK which provide confidential STD testing services with fast results.

There has been a substantial increase in the spread of STD’s (Sexually Transmitted Diseases) over the past 10 years in the UK, and with a number of STD’s having little or no symptoms, many people are unaware that they are infected.

It is important that you get tested for STD’s if you have had various sexual partners, especially if you have had more than one partner in a short space of time and if you have unprotected sex. Although some STD’s do not have symptoms or have little evidence, there are serious medical risks if an infection is not treated.

Potential risks include: infertility; an increased risk of cancer in both men and women; a potential to transmit the infection to a child during childbirth; and an increased risk of a miscarriage or premature birth.

If you are infected with an STD, there is also an increased risk of getting another infection and if Chlamydia or gonorrhoea are not treated, there is also a risk of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) in women and could cause swollen testicles, arthritis and infertility in men.

If you feel that there may be a chance that you have an STD, Better2Know firmly advise that you should get tested, even if just to give peace of mind. The quicker an STD is diagnosed, the better, as you can be given the appropriate treatment and tackle the potential risks of STD’s.

Since 1998 there has been a huge rise in the sexually transmitted infection Chlamydia, and it has now become the most frequently diagnosed STI in the UK. Chlamydia is often known as ‘the silent disease’ due to the lack of symptoms and is caused by a bacterium called Chlamydia Trachomatis.

Chlamydia is transmitted through unprotected sexual contact, and due to its lack of noticeable symptoms goes largely undiagnosed. Over 50% of men and 70% of women who are infected with Chlamydia experience no symptoms and many other people have minor symptoms that go unnoticed.

Women that have Chlamydia may experience some mild symptoms like, cystitis, vaginal discharge and abdominal pain, and if left untreated can cause pain during sex, pelvic pain or bleeding or spotting between periods. In some cases it can lead to Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID).

Men that have been infected with Chlamydia can experience discharge from the penis or a mild irritation on the tip of the penis, which will generally disappear in a couple of days. In some cases the testes may become inflamed or swollen.

The most common treatments for Chlamydia are antibiotics, and if taken as advised can be more than 95% effective. They come in either a single dose (Azithromycin), or a series of pills that can last up to two weeks (Doxycycline). If you are prescribed either of these antibiotics, you must ensure that you follow the instructions and finish the course; if this is not done properly the infection could come back.

If you are sexually active, especially if you have multiple partners or change partners regularly, you may be worried that you have been exposed to a sexually transmitted disease (STD). This can be an upsetting time and you will want to get an STD test, which is fast and efficient as well as totally confidential.

Better2Know has HIV and STD testing clinics throughout the UK, including London, Birmingham, Liverpool and Edinburgh, and their service is 100% confidential. No medical records will be kept and if you should wish, a false name can be given. Please note that if you go to your NHS doctor for an STD test, the results will be recorded on your medical documents and may be seen by third parties.

If you feel that you may have been exposed to a sexually transmitted disease, a Full STD Screen is the best option. The STD screen will test for the most common STD’s including, Chlamydia, gonorrhoea and Syphilis and includes a 28 day HIV test.