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The Benefits Of Choosing Private Healthcare For STD Testing
If you believe you might have contracted a sexually transmitted disease or infection, it’s important to get tested. Leaving an STD untreated leads to risks, such as transmitting it to other people or other serious health complications.
Learn how opting for a private GP consultation can be beneficial when it comes to STD testing.
Sexually transmitted diseases come in various forms, many of which display no symptoms. Knowing the symptoms and types can help you recognise when it might be time to see a doctor.
As one of the most common STDs in the UK, chlamydia requires vigilant and regular testing to be caught. It is passed through unprotected sex, sharing used sex toys, genital contact, and getting infected fluids in your eyes. Pregnant women with chlamydia can also pass it on to their babies. If you do get symptoms, these could be pain while peeing, unusual discharge from the vagina, penis or anus, painful and/or swollen testicles, and vaginal bleeding after sex and/or in between periods.
This STD is spread through bacteria, mainly found in the discharge that comes from the penis or in vaginal fluid. It can be passed through unprotected sex, including oral sex, or the sharing of unwashed sex toys. Many people don’t experience any symptoms at all when infected with gonorrhoea. Some symptoms include green or yellow discharge from the genitals, pain while urinating, and bleeding in between periods.
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a condition that affects your immune system and decreases your ability to fight infections and diseases. This virus can be transmitted by sharing needles, having unprotected sex, and from mothers to their babies through pregnancy, birth or breastfeeding. Many people experience symptoms after infection, which appear as flu-like symptoms for a short period. Following this, an infected person may not display any symptoms for several years.
HIV is unfortunately not treatable, but measures can be taken to lessen the chances of you becoming infected if taken within 72 hours. If you do become infected, some medications can be taken to reduce the risk of passing an infection to others. A plan can also be made with your doctor, to help control its impact on your life.
This condition refers to the inflammation of the liver. There are different types of hepatitis, some of which can be caught through unprotected sex or injecting drugs, such as hepatitis B and D. Hepatitis will affect the health of your liver. Hence, it’s important to get diagnosed as soon as possible. If you believe you might have hepatitis, seek the help of a medical professional or attend a private health appointment.
An infection that causes blisters around your genitals, anus, thighs or bottom, herpes is an incurable STD. The blisters can be painful, bursting and leaving red open sores and burning or itching. It can also result in painful peeing and unusual discharge. The blisters can clear up and not appear again for several months or years. Blisters STD testing for herpes can only happen when blisters and sores are there.
The symptoms of syphilis are not always apparent, however, there are a few you can look out for if you believe you might have been infected. These symptoms include ulcers or warty growths found around your penis, vagina or anus. You might also have hair loss, white patches in the mouth, a rash on your palms or soles of your feet, swollen glands, and flu-like symptoms.
This condition can be transmitted by sharing needles, having unprotected sex and passed on to an unborn baby through pregnancy. Luckily, syphilis can be treated with a course of antibiotics, so see a doctor if you think you have been infected.
Caused by a parasite, trichomoniasis is a sexually transmitted infection that can be difficult to diagnose due to its symptoms appearing similar to other STIs. These symptoms include abnormal vaginal discharge, thin white discharge from the penis, pain while peeing and/or having sex, and soreness, swelling and itching.
Trichomoniasis can be spread through unprotected sex and sharing sex toys without cleaning in between. It can be treated with antibiotics, so it’s important to see a medical professional should you believe you have been infected. As with any STD, you should let any recent sexual partners that you have been diagnosed.
STD testing doesn’t need to be difficult or worrying. Seeking out help from an independent healthcare provider can help, as your test can be done fast, without needing to intrude on your body too much.
With chlamydia and gonorrhoea, these can usually be tested for by giving a urine sample. A urine sample will be taken as either a swab or by urinating into a container, which then gets tested in a laboratory.
For infections like herpes and syphilis, a swab will be taken from the sores or blisters. This is to obtain a sample of the fluid within. This will then be tested, to see what the condition might be.
A physical check of your genitals, anus or mouth can be used in conjunction with testing to help diagnose a sexually transmitted infection. The rest of your body might also require checking, so prepare for a more thorough physical check. This can help check for other symptoms of conditions, as with conditions like syphilis there may be signs elsewhere.
For some sexually transmitted infections, the best way to diagnose them is through blood testing. HIV, for example, can be diagnosed through a blood test. Samples of blood can be taken through a finger prick or by needle. If you have a fear of needles, let your doctor know as they can consider this to make you more comfortable. If you are still worried, there may be some other tests that can be done instead.
Choosing independent healthcare when getting tested for STDs can be very advantageous. In this section, we will cover six benefits of choosing Duality Health Ltd for your private GP.
Specialists at private and independent healthcare practices can help you get the right care through their expert advice. Our private doctors specifically pride themselves on their personal approach to healthcare, meaning you receive care tailored to your own needs.
If you are worried about multiple sexual health concerns, it’s worth seeking a private health appointment for a more thorough check. At Duality Health, we offer a range of different screening panels, helping you choose which tests you would like done.
For STD testing, nothing can be more worry-inducing than waiting long periods for a laboratory to test your sample. At Duality Health, we understand that anxiety. This is why we provide tests with a 20-minute turnaround time.
If your test results come back positive, our private doctors at Duality Health can help you plan out your treatment. While some STDs can be treated easily with a course of antibiotics, it’s important to understand the other steps you should take alongside treatment. Our team can give you the advice you need to keep you, and any sexual partners you may have, safe.
Some STDs are unfortunately not treatable, but that doesn’t make your symptoms cannot be made easier. Our team can help by providing information and medicines, which can make your condition more bearable.
One of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of sexually transmitted diseases is through the correct information. Our high-quality private doctors can provide education about STDs, to help their patients understand how people become infected, and how those infected can be treated.
While STD testing should not be a source of embarrassment, some patients prefer a confidential setting. At Duality Health, our team provides confidential care which is difficult to find in public healthcare. We pride ourselves on curating a non-judgemental environment, where you can receive tests and treatment without the stigma.
For high-quality healthcare, our team at Duality Health Ltd offer a range of services to help you keep your health in check. Besides our instant STD testing service, we can perform regular medical MOTs, helping to detect any signs of issues before they become more serious. Visit our website to learn about what we do, or contact us today to speak to our friendly and expert team.