The Better2Know Blog

Taking control of your sexual health means getting a regular STI test. Your clinician knows a lot more about STIs and how to collect your samples. There are other questions that you can ask, to help you prevent getting an STI in the future, or taking (even) more pleasure from your sex life.

STI home testing is becoming increasingly popular. Despite a society where our lives are posted all over social media where we thrive on sharing, likes and followers. The sudden shyness or refusal to talk about sexual health and sexually transmitted infections is surprising. Sex is easily accessible now, more than it was in the past. Stigma and discrimination still exist. With the idea that people who have STIs are dirty. Having a sexually transmitted infection should not be the decider on one’s perception of other people’s personal hygiene levels.

Getting tested is the hard part done. No more wondering if that itch, rash, or pain when you urinate will go away. No more worrying about going to see your doctor, or sitting in the waiting room feeling like everyone knows why you’re there (FYI: they don’t at Better2Know clinics). You now know your STI status and can now receive treatment to clear or manage the infection. The next step is to notify sexual partners (past and present) of your status. Please ask them to book an STI testing appointment. This may seem daunting, but their health is at risk. It is not fair on them not to tell them. It is a conversation you will need to have to protect your partner.

Whether you are exhibiting concerning symptoms, or are simply concerned about your sexual health, then you should book an STI test. If this is your first time getting tested, there is nothing to be afraid of. You should feel confident that you are taking control of your sexual health. Everyone’s experience with sexually transmitted infections differ. Some might suffer from painful or worrying symptoms such as blisters, unusual discharge or pain during sex, whilst others may experience no signs of an STI at all.

The British Association for Sexual Health and HIV (BASHH) recently updated standards for the management of sexually transmitted infections to help healthcare establishments, government-funded and otherwise, ensure they are providing high quality sexual health services for their patients. The clinical recommendations are relevant for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

The diagnosis of sexually transmitted infections has risen by a third in people ages between 50 and 70. With increasing rates of divorce and online dating fuelling the surge in casual sex, the sexual health of the generation who may not have had access to sex education is threatened. Stigma and discrimination are not encouraging this commonly overlooked population to get the help and advice they need regarding their personal risk to STIs.

Research suggests that there has been a 10-fold increase in HIV infections amongst drugs users in Glasgow. Britain has not suffered an outbreak of this scale since the 1980s and the epidemic is not being contained. With few places to get clean injecting kits, drug users are resorting to sharing needles. Even though Glasgow’s NHS has introduced needle exchange points to reach addicts on the streets, the virus is still rapidly spreading.

One of BBC’s reporters recently went undercover to investigate the illegal online trade of drugs that is endangering the sexual health of the UK population. The unlicensed antibiotics were advertised through social media as treatment for sexually transmitted infections; the drugs were not only illegal – with some not even being prescribed anymore – but also sold at the wrong dose.

News of a man being ‘cured’ of HIV in the UK is circulating. The London patient, who was being treated for cancer, now has undetectable HIV viral loads and is no longer taking HIV medication following his stem cell transplant. Despite this, researchers say it is too early to say that the patient has been ‘cured’. Though this case may bring hope for a cure to those living with HIV, it is still only the second case of its kind. The therapy is also not suitable as standard HIV treatment due to the toxicity of chemotherapy, which was initially used to target the patient’s cancer – not his HIV infection. This recent case raises questions as to how well the country is doing in terms of treatment and overall HIV statistics in the UK.  

Despite the population having more sex, there has been no relevant increase in the quality of sex education. This increases existing concerns over the sexual health of the UK population; the threat of STIs becoming even more widespread looms over the country like the grey clouds that often occupy our skies.

People say that money can’t buy happiness; however, when freebies are involved the excitement that follows begs to differ. If something is free, then why should you pay for it? This is the mentality many people have when it comes to STI testing. If you can get tested for sexually transmitted infections at your local genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinic, why would you fork out your hard-earned money for an appointment at a private sexual health clinic?

Whether you had the most romantic Valentine’s Day with your beau, or you are heading out for the post-Valentine’s-Day-pull this weekend, your sexual health should be in your top list of priorities. Despite driving the super Gonorrhoea epidemic, most people believe oral sex is ‘safe sex’ and that it is a safer alternative to intercourse.

The number of Gonorrhoea diagnoses is at its highest rates in decades. Two new cases of super Gonorrhoea heightens existing fears that the infection is becoming rife amongst the UK population. This particular strain is increasingly rampant in the UK and experts are worried about a widespread outbreak.

Almost 102,000 people in the UK were estimated to be living with HIV in 2017. Last year was a good year for the UK when it comes the HIV epidemic – with the country having surpassed UNAID’s 90-90-90 targets that were set in 2014. The number of HIV diagnoses are the lowest they have been since 2000; 98% of those diagnosed with HIV are on treatment and 97% of HIV-positive people have undetectable viral loads.

Last week, Better2Know discussed the importance of cervical screening and the under 25s smear test debate. Attending your smear test appointment is vital to protecting your cervical health. Especially since, cervical cancer symptoms in the early stages are usually non-existent and the infection is often found, and treated, as a result of cervical screening.

‘Everyone is going to get HPV, you can’t avoid it.’ – H. Hunter Handsfield (PHD Professor Emeritus of Medicine at the University of Washington)

Genital warts are a common sexually transmitted infection often caused by some low-risk types of the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). There are over 100 different types of HPV, with some strains considered high-risk as they are associated with causing cancer, such as cervical cancer.

Around 1 in 10 men and half of all infected women do not experience any symptoms of Gonorrhoea. Gonorrhoea is the second most common sexually transmitted infection in the UK. 2017 saw 44,676 diagnoses of Gonorrhoea; this is a 22% increase in comparison to the year before. This STI is passed on through unprotected oral, vaginal and anal intercourse. You will not always notice any signs of a Gonorrhoea infection, but you can still transmit the STI to others if you have sex without a condom.

The UK is one of the first countries to meet the UNAIDS 90-90-90 target. Public Health England’s recent report showed that HIV prevention efforts are working successfully in the UK. London was the first global city to exceed the 95-95-95 target.  They have now been joined by Amsterdam and Melbourne. 2017 statistics reveal [1]:

• 92% of people living with HIV in the UK have been diagnosed
• 98% of HIV positive people in the UK were on treatment
• 97% of HIV positive individuals had an undetectable viral load

Since 1988, World AIDS Day takes place on the 1^st December every year to support those who are living with HIV, and to remember those who have died from HIV/AIDS. [1] This year is the 30^th anniversary of World AIDS Day. Each year, a theme is set for World AIDS Day. This year the theme is ‘Know Your Status’ – emphasising the importance of regular HIV testing and knowing your HIV status. [2]

Binge drinking and drug use is causing a rise in sexual health clinic attendance. Sexual health clinics have seen a rise in attendance from people who had unprotected sex whilst under the influence of alcohol and drugs.

It is National HIV Testing Week in the UK. Better2Know not only wants to promote the importance of HIV testing, but also the need to reject the stigma surrounding HIV and AIDS that often prevents people from getting tested or seeking treatment. The emerging HIV epidemic in the 1980s triggered fear in many people as little was understood of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus. This created irrational behaviour and misconceptions of personal risk which still exist today. [1]

At selected private STI clinics throughout the UK, Better2Know provides rapid results for seven sexually transmitted infections. This includes Better2Know’s instant test for Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 and Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2, which is available in London, Manchester, Cardiff, Glasgow and many other locations across the UK. You can choose to receive an individual instant test or choose from Better2Know’s selection of instant screens. These combine instant tests to give you a more thorough view of your STI status. Your instant Herpes test can be combined with instant tests for HIV, Chlamydia, Gonorrhoea, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C.

You will receive fast, accurate STI and HIV testing at Better2Know’s private sexual health clinics in Edinburgh. Conveniently located throughout the city, private appointments are available 7 days a week with same or next day availability. Your personal information is 100% confidential and you can choose to remain completely anonymous should this make you feel more comfortable with getting tested.

In the 1970s and 1980s, 5000 people with blood disorders such as Haemophilia were treated with contaminated blood products. In many cases, this resulted in the development of HIV or Hepatitis C or both. Though a public inquiry was launched in July 2017, almost 3000 infected people have died. There is an estimate from one campaigner that as many as 300,000 may have been infected with contaminated blood. Early detection for blood-borne infections is extremely important. Even if you think you have not been affected directly by contaminated blood from the 1970s and 1980s, you can still contract these types of infection from affected individuals through sharing personal items, such as needles or razors. Bloodborne infections such as HIV and Hepatitis C can also be sexually transmitted during unprotected sex. This includes oral, anal or vaginal intercourse. The only way to know if you are infected is to get tested. The earlier you get tested, the earlier you can receive the treatment you need.

Better2Know’s private STI and HIV testing services are available throughout Yorkshire. This includes Bradford, Hull, Leeds, North Yorkshire, Rotherham, York and Wakefield. Available at our private sexual clinics in Yorkshire, Better2Know’s wide range of STI screens and tests will test for a variety of sexual health concerns. These include sexually transmitted infections such as HIV, Chlamydia, Gonorrhoea, Herpes I/II, Syphilis, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and many more.

The 90-Day HIV test is a third generation HIV testing option that will detect HIV antibodies after 90 days of incubation. This is the time between potential exposure to HIV and your HIV test. Available to those who would prefer not to attend a private STI clinic appointment, get in touch with Better2Know’s highly trained sexual health advisors today for more information about getting this test.

Better2Know is the leading provider of private sexual health testing services in the UK.

Whilst many sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are routinely tested for on a simple urine sample, certain STIs are best tested for by swabbing the part of your body that might be infected. When there is a visible lesion, wart, sore or blister, possibly caused by the Herpes Virus, the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) or the Syphilis bacteria, it is usually advised to swab the suspected area for the direct detection of the causal organism. Similarly, if a Chlamydia or Gonorrhoea infection is suspected in the throat or rectum, then a swab sample rather than a urine sample is always indicated.

Better2Know offers a wide range of confidential swab tests specifically designed to meet your every need. As well as swab testing for STIs, we also offer swab tests for women who wish to manage their cervical health and swab tests to identify conditions such as Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) and Candida (Thrush).

Better2Know is the UK’s leading private provider of sexual health testing services. As well as confidential testing at private STI clinics nationwide, Better2Know also offers our exclusive home testing and Everywhere nurse services. These popular testing options provide a convenient, high quality alternative for those who may not be able to attend a clinic appointment.

With our private home testing and Everywhere services, you will receive the same outstanding diagnostic service as you would with a Better2Know clinic appointment. You will be supported throughout your patient journey by our team of experienced Patient Services Executives. When you test with Better2Know, your personal details are handled in the strictest confidence. The information you provide will not be shared with any doctors or third parties without your consent. For complete anonymity, you do not have to provide your real name in order to be tested.

Untreated sexually transmitted infections can cause serious complications for both pregnancy and fertility. Better2Know provides a wide range of confidential STI testing options for pregnant women and couples who may wish to start a family, to give you the peace of mind you need with regards to your sexual health. Untreated STIs could lead to:

• Miscarriage
• Pelvic inflammatory disease
• Ectopic pregnancies
• Premature rupture of membranes
• Low birth weight
• Health problems for both mother and child
• Transmission of infection to the baby

Better2Know is the UK’s leading provider of private sexual health testing services. Our exclusive Everywhere service is available nationwide, offering a popular alternative to our clinic and home testing options. The Better2Know Everywhere service brings the advantages of our nurse led service to a location that is comfortable for you. Make a booking with us today and a private nurse will Come2You, testing you quickly and confidentially for an extensive range of sexually transmitted infections.