Can You Do An HIV Test At Home?

Symptoms of HIV may not appear for many years; therefore the only way to find out if one has HIV is to have an HIV test.

Any individual who thinks he could have an HIV should get testd.

HIV Lab Test Kit is easy to use at home. Blood Sample is collected via a simple finger prick method and sent to our partner lab for testing, in a self-addressed envelope provided inside the kit.

TESTD provides 5th generation HIV testing, which is the latest technology available. The test seeks to detect both antigens and antibodies. The test can detect HIV antigens (p24) as early as 10 days after exposure but it should be followed up with a 28 day HIV Duo test.

Individual between the ages of 13 to 64 years must go for HIV testing as per the guidelines of Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDCP)

Apart from this certain groups of people are at high risk hence advised to have regular tests:

• Men who have sex with men should have an HIV test once a year or every three months if they are having unprotected sex with casual or new partners.
  
  
• Black African men and women should have an HIV test and a regular STI screen, if they are having unprotected sex with casual or new partners.
  
  

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Blog Source: http://www.testd.com/can-you-do-an-hiv-test-at-home/

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HIV - THE MYTHS

There is a common myth that it is something that only affects gay men. While gay men are disproportionately affected, the majority of new diagnoses in the UK are in the heterosexual population and a third of all HIV diagnoses are in women.

Coming into contact with an infected person will not lead to oneself putting at risk of HIV. HIV is carried in blood, semen, vaginal secretions and breast milk. One cannot catch HIV by sharing a toothbrush or through coming in into contact with someone's saliva, e.g. by sharing a glass.

A person who knows his or her HIV positive status and is on medication is less likely to be able to pass on the infection than someone who is HIV positive and is unaware of his or her status. Being on treatment reduces the viral load and makes people less infectious.

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What are the risk factors for HIV infection?

As per the guidelines of Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDCP). People with the higher risk of HIV infection should get tested every 6 months or every year.

Some factors that increase the risk of HIV infection are as follows:

• Having unprotected sex
• Sharing infected syringes/needles
• Suffering from sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), such as syphilis
• Suffering from tuberculosis or hepatitis

One needs to talk to his/her healthcare provider if you are suffering from any above situation to confirm how often you should take the test.

Content Source: http://www.testd.com/what-are-the-risk-factors-for-hiv-infection/

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What is the main cause of chlamydia?

Chlamydia is a bacterial infection & is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections in the UK, which affects the cervix and the urethra in women and the urethra in men.

Accounting for almost half of all STI diagnoses in 2014 according to Public Health England figures.

It is usually associated with people under 25, making age a risk factor; however it can be caught by anyone. It can be treated and will cause no problems if caught early. However, if left untreated it can have an effect on your health.

Chlamydia is an infection caused by Chlamydia trachomatis, which is usually spread through sexual contact. This is a bacterium which infects cells in the cervix, urethra, rectum and sometimes the eyes or throat.

Chlamydia is the most common STI and, quite often, there are no outward symptoms to indicate that anything is wrong.  Chlamydia can, if left untreated, cause very unwelcome complications.

In up to 40 percent of women, untreated infections can spread into the uterus or fallopian tubes and cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). This can cause permanent damage to the fallopian tubes, uterus, and surrounding tissues and lead to chronic pelvic pain, infertility, and an ectopic pregnancy. Women infected with Chlamydia are up to five times more likely to become infected with HIV if exposed.

Blog Source: http://www.testd.com/what-is-the-main-cause-of-chlamydia/

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A Brief detail of Gonorrhoea Test Kit

Gonorrhoea is a sexually transmitted infection brought about by bacteria called Neisseria gonorrhoea. The bacteria are mainly found in discharge from the penis and in vaginal fluid.

The bacteria can affect the urethra, vagina, rectum, throat, and eyes. It is the second most common bacterial sexually transmitted infection in the UK.

Gonorrhoea is easily passed between people through, unprotected vaginal, oral or anal sex, sharing vibrator or other sex toys that have not been washed or covered with a new condom.

Gonorrhoea is easily treated. In any case, if left untreated in women, gonorrhoea can spread to other reproductive organs (the womb and the fallopian tubes), causing long-term pain, blocked tubes, infertility and ectopic pregnancy (this is when a pregnancy develops in the fallopian tube rather than in the womb). If untreated in men, gonorrhoea can cause a painful infection in the testicles and prostate gland.

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Source of the blog: http://www.testd.com/a-brief-detail-of-gonorrhoea-test-kit/

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What are the Symptoms of HIV?

Most people who get HIV will have some symptoms within a few weeks of acquiring the virus. It is important to point out that not all people recently infected will have noticeable symptoms so do not use lack of symptoms as an excuse not to be tested!

At first individuals may experience flu-like symptoms, these can include:

• diarrhoea
• headaches
• fatigue
• sore throat
• muscle aches and pains

If these symptoms do occur they can subside for a number of years and the HIV can go undetected in the body, but during this time the virus will multiply and can be passed on to other people.

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Blog Source: https://www.testd.com/what-are-the-symptoms-of-hiv/

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Chlamydia: Symptoms in Men & Women

A large percentage of people with chlamydia will not encounter any obvious symptoms 50% of men and 70-80% of women. However many do experience some signs of chlamydia and could recognize one or more of the following symptoms.

Men

• Burning sensation when passing urine
• Discharge from the urethra
• Pain in the testicles

Women

• Abnormal vaginal discharge
• Burning sensation when passing urine
• Bleeding between periods
• Abdominal pain
• Pain during intercourse

Chlamydia can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease and can sometimes cause infertility in women.

In pregnant women, there is some evidence that untreated Chlamydia infections can lead to premature births. Babies born to infected mothers can get Chlamydia infections in their eyes and their respiratory tracts. Chlamydia is the most frequent cause of pneumonia and conjunctivitis in new-born babies.

Blog source: https://www.testd.com/chlamydia-symptoms-in-men-and-women/

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