There is a first time for everything
It’s not uncommon, the reverse really, you get caught up in the moment, probably had one too many Alco pops, and the girl gets prettier by the minute, before you know it you are back at her flat and the inevitable happens. A few days pass and then you begin to get that irritable itch and naturally become concerned, it’s an old story but what do you do if it happens to you?
First and foremost elect to go to an STD testing centre; there will be one near you wherever you are in the UK, plenty of them in London and other major cities such as Birmingham and Manchester for example. Above all do not delay, it may be nothing but the sooner you find out the quicker you can have treatment if it is proved that you have a sexily transmitted disease. The tests can be carried out quickly and are anonymous if you wish with the result brought to you without delay.
Testing for HIV in London
HIV (AIDS) is one of the most serious of sexually transmitted diseases and early detection is vital if the infection is to be kept under control. However, there is no cure for HIV and typically this virus leads to AIDS. With the use of antiretroviral drugs, though, people with HIV can significantly prolong their life as well as the put off the development of AIDS.
With this in mind people who are sexually active with multiple partners or same sex couples are most at risk of contracting HIV. Testing for the infection is carried out at a number of clinics in London as well as major cities throughout the UK. The primary detection of HIV is through a blood sample to test for HIV antibodies in the blood. If HIV antibodies are found, the patient is HIV positive. Another test is conducted to confirm diagnosis. The current treatment for the HIV virus is antivirus drugs, antiretroviral treatment or combination therapy. Contact your STD testing clinic today if you are injecting drugs or fall into the above category.
Do not delay that STD test!
There is often delay between becoming infected with an STD and the infection being detectable by testing. During this period the infection may be transmissible. If you fall into the category of a person who has regular sex with multiple partners, or male same sex you should arrange an STD test to determine if you are clear of infection.
Having a test is not a substitute for safe sex and precautions should always be employed. Tests by definition are only informative and not preventative, and while important in keeping oneself and others informed of a partner’s STD status, they do not take the place of preventative safer sex practices, which would include caution in selecting partners. Having an STD test in London or one of the other major centres in the UK is common sense as they are essential in the early treatment of STDs, and most STDs are treatable once discovered.
STD guidelines for men
General guidelines would suggest that if men have no symptoms then it is not necessary to have routine screening at a local STD screening clinic. However for those who are sexually active and may have multiple partners it makes sense to have a regular check.
If your sexual practices include having sex with other men, testing is highly recommended. These tests should include annual screening for HIV, syphilis, Chlamydia and gonorrhea. HIV and syphilis can be life threatening if untreated, and Chlamydia and gonorrhea can put you at greater risk of acquiring HIV and other STDs. Taking an STD test in London or other major cities in the UK is simple and is completely confidential.
There are STD testing centres outside London
Although there are many STD testing clinics in the capital London, understandable when the large and changing population is taken into account, but equally there are private STD testing clinics in major cities such as Manchester and Birmingham.
In both of these population centres, if you think that you may be suffering from a sexually transmitted infection, or you are active with a number of sexual partners, it makes sense to be checked out for a possible STD. In the North West there are two modern clinics at Salford and in central Manchester, as well as three STD clinics in Birmingham at Solihull, Edgbaston and the city centre. Cases of STDs are on the rise in Britain and it has never been more important to get tested.
The way HIV is detected
In the early stages, HIV can only be tested with a blood test, as the infection often causes no symptoms. An estimated 77,400 persons were living with HIV in the UK at the end of 2007, of these over a quarter had no idea that they had the infection. This is a cause for concern as the infection is spread from person to person by sexual contact with an infected person, by sharing needles and syringes principally for drug use with someone who is infected, it can also be transmitted through transfusions of infected blood.
The blood test that takes place at clinics in London and throughout major cities in the UK requires a sample of blood taken which is either sent to a laboratory, with results returned in a few days, or a Rapid test when the results can be given in 5 to 30 minutes. These Rapid tests are as accurate as the ones sent to the laboratory but are more expensive, a price that may be worth paying if you are concerned that you may have been exposed to the virus. Contact your test clinic in London Birmingham or Manchester for a completely confidential HIV test.
Some facts about STD infections
Some symptoms of STD’s include soreness, unusual lumps or sores, warts, itching, pain when urinating, or unusual discharge from genitals. Often some of these symptoms can be confusing and can be mistaken for other illnesses, as an example burning with urination may be mistaken for a urinary tract infection and not an STD like Chlamydia. It is clear to experts that some STD’s have varied sets of symptoms, whilst other STDS have no symptoms whatsoever.
How then are we to know then if we are suffering from an STD? The only way to tell if you have an STI/STD is to get a test and diagnosis from a health care professional. Checking on a suspected STD is really quite easy in such major centres such as London, where having a test through the major testing clinic is simple. Similarly, the same applies to other major cities throughout the UK and taking an STD test in Manchester or Birmingham is as straight forward as London. All tests are carried out in complete confidence and can be entirely anonymous.
HIV cases in Birmingham
The number of HIV cases in Birmingham is worrying as there are over one thousand cases of HIV which is one of the highest rates in the UK. HIV can affect anybody, but in the UK most people with HIV come from two groups: men who have sex with men and people of sub-Saharan African origin. Gay men are the group most affected by HIV in the UK. However, since 2003 more of the people newly diagnosed with HIV in the UK became infected through heterosexual sex than gay sex. The majority of these became infected with HIV when they were abroad.
If you believe that you may have come into contact with someone who may be infected with HIV it is important that you are tested quickly in order that treatment can be started. Having a HIV test in Birmingham is quick and is completely confidential and the result can be given to you in as little as 5 to 30 minutes. Do not delay; arrange a test at either the Birmingham City Centre or Solihull clinics.
Important HIV testing news
The recently reported Mexican flu pandemic has raised concerns with health professionals, who are once again worried about gay and bisexual men and men with multiple partners. These groups are the most likely to contract HIV, which is a virus that attacks the body’s immune system, leading to the body’s inability to defend against diseases such as the flu. The latest research suggests that between 70 and 90 per cent of people may experience symptoms of infection a few days after having been infected.
If you fall into these groups, worried about HIV or other STDs and want peace of mind, we strongly recommend you get a complete STD screen or an HIV test. There are many centres in London that undertake testing for HIV and other STD’s and also in major centres in the UK such as Manchester and Birmingham. There are three basic kinds of HIV tests depending on when you may have been exposed you should contact the test centre and discuss this with them. All tests are completely confidential, and you can usually get the result instantly. If you are in the least concerned, contact a test centre today.
What should I do if I have a STD?
This is a question that is the most common when we carry out STD tests at one of our London Clinics, or the others which are to be found in major cities in the UK, Manchester or Birmingham for instance. The first thing that you should do is to tell all sexual partners who may have been exposed. Try to get them to get tested. If you feel that you cannot tell your partner, tell your health provider who help you in this difficult task.
You and your current sexual partners need to get treated at the same time to prevent re-infecting each other. Make sure you follow your health care provider’s directions on taking medications and make sure you finish all of the medicine prescribed, even if you feel better. After treatment have a follow-up exam with your health care provider. Do not have sex again until your health care provider says you are cured. Most STD’s can be cured and the first thing to do is to take an STD test.