PRIVATE STD TEST LONDON

How often you will need to get tested mostly depends on your current relationship status and how sexually active you are. If you’re in a monogamous relationship with you and your partner both testing negative for STIs, then there is no need to get regularly tested.

Most medical professionals recommend getting your sexual health tested at least once per year. However, if you don't have a partner and are sexually active, it is advisable to get checked more frequently, such as every three to six months. That way, any STI can be identified and treated before they begin to impact your health.

It is also recommended to get a sexual health test when entering a new relationship, so you can be sure both you and your partner are negative for any STIs.

Chlamydia is a common bacterial infection which can affect both Men and Women. When a Chlamydia infection is left untreated will cause irreversible damage to a woman’s reproductive system; which can make it difficult or potentially impossible to become pregnant.

Causes and symptoms of Chlamydia

Chlamydia is also referred to as “the silent infection.” Since people with chlamydia may not experience any symptoms for a long time after contracting it, chlamydia can be transmitted through oral, anal and vaginal sex with someone positive for the infection. A pregnant woman who is positive for chlamydia can pass on the infection to their baby during birth.

Infections can be avoided by either abstaining from sex, using a condom correctly when you have sex or being in a monogamous relationship where both partners have been tested.

Symptoms:

• Painful sexual intercourse (dyspareunia)
• Abnormal vaginal discharge (can be yellowish and have a strong unpleasant smell) - Female
• Bleeding between menstrual cycles (periods) - Female
• Pain and/or burning sensation whilst peeing
• inflammation of the cervix (cervicitis) - Female
• Lower stomach pain
• Puss or a milky/watery discharge from the penis without ejaculation (puss can be yellow or green) - Male
• Swollen or tender testicles/testicle pain - Male
• Pain, discharge and/or bleeding in and /or around the anus

If you experience any of the symptoms listed above or recently had sexual contact with someone positive for Chlamydia, consider booking a Private Chlamydia Test today and find out if you’re positive so you can begin receiving treatment.

Gonorrhea is an infection caused by a sexually transmitted bacteria which can infect both males and females. Gonorrhea most commonly affects the urethra, rectum or throat. In Women, a gonorrhea infection can also be found in the cervix.

Causes and symptoms: of Gonorrhea

When it’s first contracted, a gonorrhea infection causes no symptoms. If you do experience any symptoms, many sites within your body can be affected, but the most common symptoms appear in the genital tract.

Gonorrhea is most frequently transmitted during vaginal, oral, or anal sex. But babies of infected mothers can be infected during childbirth. In babies, gonorrhea most commonly affects the eyes (conjunctivitis.)

Infections can be avoided by either abstaining from sex, using a condom correctly when you have sex or being in a monogamous relationship where both partners have been tested.

Symptoms:

• Pain during urination
• Yellow, milky or green puss-like discharge from the tip of the penis (urethra) (Male)
• Pain and/or swelling in one testicle (Male)
• Increased frequency of vaginal discharge (Female)
• Vaginal bleeding between menstrual cycles (periods) or right after vaginal intercourse (Female)
• Abdominal or pelvic pain (Female)

If you experience any of the symptoms listed above or recently had sexual contact with someone positive for Gonnorhoea, consider booking a Gonnorhea Test London today and find out if you’re positive so you can begin receiving treatment.

Trichomoniasis is a very common STI caused by infection with Trichomonas Vaginalis (a parasite). Although symptoms vary, like many other STIs, most people with trichomoniasis cannot tell they have it.

Causes and symptoms of Trichomoniasis

Sexually active individuals can get trichomoniasis by having unprotected sex with a partner who is positive for trichomoniasis.

In Females, the infection is usually found in the lower genital tract (vulva, vagina, cervix, or urethra). Whereas the infection is generally located inside the penis (urethra) for males.

Although it is not common for the parasite to infect other parts of the body, such as the hands, mouth, or anus, it’s unclear why some people with the infection get symptoms while others don’t. People positive for trichomoniasis can pass the infection to others, even if they do not have symptoms.

Symptoms:

Commonly, people with trichomoniasis have no signs or symptoms at first. However, symptoms may develop over time. Such as:

• Foul-smelling discharge from the vagina — which can be clear, white, grey, yellow or green (Female)
• Genital redness, burning and itching (Female)
• Pain with urination or sex (Female)
• Discomfort over the lower stomach area (Female)
• Itching or irritation inside the penis (Male)
• Burning with urination or after ejaculation (Male)
• Discharge from the penis (Male)

If you experience any of the symptoms listed above or recently had sexual contact with someone positive for a Trichomoniasis Infection, consider booking a Private Trichomoniasis Test today and find out if you’re positive so you can begin receiving treatment.

HSV, more commonly known as herpes, is a viral infection which stays in your body for life; the herpes simplex viruses are categorised into two distinct types, herpes type 1 (HSV-1) oral herpes and herpes type 2 (HSV-2) genital herpes.

Herpes is very common, with an estimated 67% of the world population having herpes simplex virus 1 and 13.2% of the population having herpes simplex virus 2, according to the WHO, which means that you likely know someone positive for the virus.

Causes and symptoms of Herpes

HSV-1 is transmitted through oral secretions or visible sores on the skin (usually around the mouth) and can be spread through kissing, sharing things like toothbrushes or using the same eating utensils as someone positive for HSV-1

HSV-2 can only be spread through sexual contact with someone positive for genital herpes. It is important to note that both HSV-1 and 2 can be transmitted even when no sores are visible.

Symptoms:

• Cold sores around the lips, mouth or tongue. They may be crusty or fluid-filled blisters (HSV-1)
• Sores on the genitals or around the anus (HSV-2)
• Burning, tingling and/or itching where the infection first entered your body
• Fever, swollen lymph or muscle aches in your lower back, buttocks, and legs
• Pain whilst urinating. (HSV-2)

Since both HSV-1 and 2 are transmitted through skin-to-skin contact with cold sores either around the mouth (HSV-1) or genitals (HSV-2), using a condom will not effectively stop the spread of the virus.

The best way to prevent the spread of herpes is to stay in a monogamous relationship where both partners have been tested for STIs. Herpes is most commonly transmitted by people with no sores since it can live in the human body for years without causing any symptoms, which is why such a large number of people have herpes.

If you experience any of the symptoms listed above or recently had sexual contact with someone positive for Herpes, consider booking a Private Herpes Test today and find out if you’re positive so you can begin receiving treatment.

Gardnerella Vaginalis is a part of your vaginal microbiome, a group of different bacteria that helps keep your vagina infection-free.

When too much Gardnerella builds up, there is a risk of developing bacterial vaginosis. Gardnerella is the most common vaginal infection, and once you are found to be positive, it can be treated using antibiotics.

How to prevent developing bacterial vaginosis

Gardnerella can spread during sexual contact, it can be spread from women to men (through the male urethra) and from women to women. However, Men cannot spread the bacteria to women. So you can reduce the risk of the bacteria spreading by using protection properly during sex.

You can reduce the build-up of Gardnerella Vaginalis by minimising any irritation to your vaginal microbiome. Using certain soaps can disturb the balance of bacteria in your vagina by changing the PH, which will increase certain bacteria like Gardnerella, If you would like to know more about keeping your vaginal microbiome balanced, click here.

Stop douching; frequently using a douche can reduce bacteria in your vagina, which helps to prevent infection — leading to a higher risk of developing Gardenrealla. For this reason, it is also beneficial to stay away from hot tubs and whirlpools.

Symptoms:

• A thin white or grey vaginal discharge
• Pain, itching, or burning in the vagina
• A strong fish-like odour
• Burning pain whilst peeing
• Itching around the outside of the vagina

If you experience any of the symptoms listed above or recently had sexual contact with someone positive for a Gardnerella Infection, consider booking a Private Gardnerella Test today and find out if you’re positive so you can begin receiving treatment.

Mycoplasma is a bacteria which can infect many parts of your body, Such as your lungs, urinary tract, and skin. It can infect your lungs, urinary tract and skin the affected area will depend on which type of Mycoplasma bacteria is causing your infection.

Mycoplasma can be hard to treat since most antibiotics attack the cell walls of bacteria to destroy it. But Mycoplasma dosent have a cell wall so stronger antibiotics like clarithromycin, erythromycin or azithromycin are needed.

There are 3 types of mycoplasma that can infect humans. 

1. Mycoplasma Genitalium - This form of Mycoplasma resides in your reproductive organs and can be transmitted through unprotected sex. Most commonly, it has no symptoms at first, but when symptoms do arise, they are similar to other STIs.

1. Mycoplasma Hominis - This type of bacteria resides in your urinary tract and genitals. Its symptoms are exactly the same as Mycoplasma Genitalium. If it is left untreated, a Mycoplasma Hominis infection can cause urethritis and increase the risk of developing Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) and Vaginitis in Females.

Mycoplasma Genitalium and Hominis symptoms:

• Burning pain during sex (Female)
• Foul smelling discharge from your vagina (Female)
• Bleeding between periods (Female)
• Pain in your lower stomach (Female)
• Burning and/or stinging pain during urination
• Watery discharge from the penis without ejaculation (Male)

Both Mycoplasma Genitalium and Hominis can be spread through unprotected oral sex and genital-to-genital contact. So the best way to prevent transmitting the bacteria is to use protection properly during sex or have you and your partner tested before engaging in any sexual activity.

1. Mycoplasma Pneumoniae - This kind of mycoplasma can cause lung infections, also referred to as “walking pneumonia” since its symptoms are similar to a chest cold or mild pneumonia, such as:

• Dry cough
• Headache
• Chills
• Fever
• Heavy sweating - even when cold
• Sore throat

Unlike Mycoplasma genitalium and hominis, which are both transmitted during unprotected sex. Mycoplasma Pneumoniae is spread via contact with droplets from an infected persons nose and throat, especially when they cough / sneeze. Similar to how a cold or flu is transmitted. To find out more about Mycoplasma Pneumoniae and how it is spread, click here.

If you experience any of the symptoms listed above or recently had sexual contact with someone positive for a Mycoplasma Infection, consider booking a Private Mycoplasma Test today and find out if you’re positive so you can begin receiving treatment.

Ureaplasma is a cluster of extremely small bacteria that lives naturally in the respiratory, reproductive, and urinary, tracts of men and women. Ureaplasma is an essential part of the human microbiome, but health problems can develop when a colony of ureaplasma overgrows and begins to inflame healthy tissues.

When too much ureaplasma builds up in the reproductive and/or urinary tract, it can lead to a ureaplasma infection. Therefore it can be developed without sexual contact. The resulting infection can then be transmitted through unprotected sexual contact. A pregnant woman with a ureaplasma infection can also transmit it to her newborn child.

Signs and symptoms of Ureaplasma infection

1. Mycoplasma Genitalium - This form of Mycoplasma resides in your reproductive organs and can be transmitted through unprotected sex. Most commonly, it has no symptoms at first, but when symptoms do arise, they are similar to other STIs.
2. Mycoplasma Hominis - This type of bacteria resides in your urinary tract and genitals. Its symptoms are the same as Mycoplasma Genitalium. If it is left untreated, a Mycoplasma Hominis infection can cause urethritis and increase the risk of developing Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) and Vaginitis in Females.

Mycoplasma Genitalium and Hominis symptoms:

• Burning pain during sex (Female)
• Foul-smelling discharge from your vagina (Female)
• Bleeding between periods (Female)
• Pain in your lower stomach (Female)
• Burning and/or stinging pain during urination
• Watery discharge from the penis without ejaculation (Male)

Both Mycoplasma Genitalium and Hominis can be spread through unprotected oral sex and genital-to-genital contact. So the best way to prevent transmitting the bacteria is to use protection properly during sex or have you and your partner tested before engaging in any sexual activity.

3. Mycoplasma Pneumoniae - This kind of mycoplasma can cause lung infections, also referred to as “walking pneumonia” since its symptoms are similar to a chest cold or mild pneumonia, such as:

• Dry cough
• Headache
• Chills
• Fever
• Heavy sweating - even when cold
• Sore throat

Unlike Mycoplasma genitalium and hominins, which are both transmitted during unprotected sex. Mycoplasma Pneumoniae is spread via contact with droplets from an infected person's nose and throat, especially when they cough/sneeze. Similar to how a cold or flu is transmitted. To find out more about Mycoplasma Pneumoniae and how it is spread, click here.

If you experience any of the symptoms listed above or recently had sexual contact with someone positive for a Mycoplasma Infection, consider booking a Private Mycoplasma Test today and find out if you’re positive so you can begin receiving treatment.

Hepatitis B is a widespread liver infection which can result in serious health complications when left untreated. Around ⅓ of the world's population is positive for hepatitis B; although treatment is available, it causes an estimated 820,000 deaths annually.

Hepatitis B symptoms and how it is transmitted

Symptoms:

• Stomach pain
• Dark-coloured urine
• Fever
• Joint pain
• Low appetite
• Nausea and vomiting
• Fatigue and weakness
• Yellowing of your skin and eyes (jaundice)

Hepatitis B can be transmitted through contact with infected blood and certain bodily fluids. The virus can also be spread from mother to child during childbirth. Here are the most common ways Hepatitis B is spread:

• Vaginal, oral or anal sex without protection
• Injecting medicines/drugs using a dirty needle
• Having a piercing or tattoo with dirty/unsterilised equipment
• Receiving a blood donation in a hospital that doesn't check for hepatitis B
• Sharing personal care items such as razors, toothbrushes, or nail clippers with someone positive for hepatitis B

If a Hepatitis B infection is left untreated, it can cause long-term health problems, including liver damage (cirrhosis), liver failure, liver cancer, and in the worst cases, death.

The best way to prevent contracting hepatitis B is to get vaccinated against it. However, if you’re unvaccinated, using protection during sex properly, not sharing personal care items with strangers, and getting cosmetic treatments such as tattoos and piercings at licenced venues, will reduce the risk of you becoming infected.

If you experience any of the symptoms listed above or recently had sexual contact with someone positive for Hepatitis B, consider booking a Private Hepatitis B Test today and find out if you’re positive so you can begin receiving treatment.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus, more commonly known as HIV, is a virus which attacks cells that help the body fight infections. If HIV is left untreated for a long period it will eventually become AIDS, which causes extreme vulnerability to other infections and diseases.

Since the human body can’t naturally fight the virus and there is currently no effective HIV cure, once you have HIV, you will have it for life. However, antiretroviral treatments are available to control the growth of the virus.

How is HIV spread

Hiv can be spread from person to person by coming into direct contact with certain bodily fluids from a person who is positive for HIV. These include:

• Semen (cum) and pre-cum
• Blood
• Vaginal fluids
• Rectal fluids
• Breast milk

For successful transmission to occur, the HIV present in these fluids has to get into the bloodstream of an HIV-negative individual. This can happen through either a mucous membrane (found in the vagina, rectum, mouth, and tip of the penis), open cuts or sores, or directly injecting HIV-infected blood from a dirty needle/syringe.

H2: How to reduce the risk of catching/spreading HIV

1. Get tested regularly and ask your partner if they have recently tested negative before you have sex.
2. Always use protection properly when having sex.
3. Staying in a monogamous relationship where both partners have been previously tested for HIV.
4. Do NOT inject drugs - But if you do, make sure to use sterile equipment and never share injection equipment with others.

If you experience any of the symptoms listed above or recently had sexual contact with someone positive for HIV, consider booking a Private HIV Test and find out if you’re positive so you can begin receiving treatment.

HIV symptoms and how it is transmitted

When people are infected with HIV and don't receive treatment, the virus will typically progress in 3 stages:

Stage 1 - Acute Hiv Infection

This is the earliest stage of an HIV infection; it typically develops within 2 - 4 weeks after becoming infected with HIV. During the acute stage, Hiv will rapidly multiply and spread across the body. Whilst this is happening, the virus will also begin attacking your body's infection-fighting CD4 cells, which are a vital part of your immune system. Throughout this stage, the levels of HIV in the blood will be very high, significantly increasing the risk of spreading HIV to others.

Acute Hiv Symptoms:

Since HIV shares symptoms with other STIs, the only way you can be sure of infection is to get tested. Typically someone with acute HIV will experience flu-like symptoms such as:

• Rash
• Fever
• Unexplained headaches
• Fatigue
• Sore throat
• Loss of appetite
• Night sweats
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Diarrhoea
• Unexplained muscle aches
• mouth ulcers

It is also important to note that in some cases, people remain asymptomatic (experience no symptoms) throughout the 1st stage of an HIV infection.

Stage 2: Chronic HIV Infection

During this stage, Hiv continues to multiply throughout the body but at much lower levels compared to an acute infection.

Someone with a Chronic HIV Infection may not have any HIV-related symptoms. Without receiving antiretroviral therapy, chronic HIV will typically advance to AIDS within 2 - 10 years. People who receive treatment can stay in this stage for several decades. Whilst it is still possible to transmit the virus to others during stage 2, people who receive antiretrovirals for a prolonged period have a very low risk of transmitting HIV to a partner during sex.

Chronic HIV Symptoms:

Although it’s common to be Asymptomatic during stage 2, some people will experience symptoms which include:

• Swollen lymph nodes
• Unexplained Tiredness
• Fever
• Pneumonia
• Severe Diarrhea
• Weight loss without changes in diet or exercise
• Shingles (herpes zoster)
• Oral yeast infection (thrush)

During stage 2, Hiv weakens the immune system meaning you are much more susceptible to catching infections, and your body will have a harder time fighting them off. Chronic HIV can also cause neurological symptoms like forgetfulness, confusion, inability to concentrate, depression, anxiety, and difficulty walking.

Stage 3 - Acquired Immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)

AIDS is the last and most severe stage of an HIV infection. At stage 3, HIV has irreversibly damaged the immune system, so the body cannot fight opportunistic infections, which can result in severe health consequences. People are diagnosed with AIDS when their CD4 count (white blood cells) is lower than 200/mm3. Once HIV develops into AIDS, it is very easily transmitted. Without sufficient treatment, people infected with AIDS will typically live for 3 years.

Symptoms:

• Weight loss without changes in diet
• Night sweats
• Recurrent infections
• Serious life-threatening illnesses
• Chills
• Chronic diarrhoea
• Swollen lymph glands
• Persistent white spots and/or lesions on your tongue and/or around your mouth
• Persistent unexplained fatigue
• Skin rashes or bumps

At stage 3, HIV has irreversibly damaged the immune system meaning the body cannot fight opportunistic infections, which can lead to severe illness or, in the worst case, death; these include:

• Herpes simplex virus, an infection that causes sores around the mouth
• Salmonella, a bacterial infection of the intestines
• Oral thrush and/or vaginal thrush
• Toxoplasmosis, a parasitic infection which affects the brain
• Pneumonia
• Tuberculosis
• Certain cancers, such as Kaposi sarcoma
• Cryptococcal meningitis

Syphilis is a highly contagious bacterial infection, usually spread through sexual contact with sores. A syphilis infection will typically start as a painless sore in the area where the infection was transmitted, usually around the genitals, rectum or mouth.

Without receiving treatment, syphilis can severely damage the brain, heart and other vital organs, which can become life-threatening. Although if syphilis is detected early enough, it can usually be cured with penicillin shots.

Syphilis symptoms and how it is transmitted

• a red rash on the palms, soles, chest or back
• fever
• enlarged glands inside the armpits and/or groin
• sore throat
• hair loss
• weight loss without changes in exercise or diet
• Unexplained migraines
• Unexplained pain in muscles and joints
• Fatigue
• ulcers in the mouth, nasal cavity or genitals
• neurological symptoms (neurosyphilis)

Syphilis can be transmitted from person to person via skin contact with a syphilitic sore (chancre.) Chancres can occur on, in, or around the penis, vagina, anus, rectum, lips or mouth. It is most commonly spread during unprotected vaginal, anal, or oral sex. Syphilis can also be transmitted from an infected mother to her newborn child during birth.