STIQ Day – Get Tested.

STIQ Day takes place on the 14^th January every year to raise awareness about sexual health and encourage everyone to get tested for sexually transmitted infections (STIs). The date is chosen as many common STIs take around two weeks to become detectable in the body.  You might not want to believe you caught a STI across the festive period but if you had unprotected sex, now is the time to get tested and break the transmission chain.

STI rates are rising each year in the UK, regardless of age groups, number of partners or sexuality. Unfortunately, just one sexual encounter could have put you at risk of catching an STI. Even if you feel perfectly healthy you could still be carrying something.

What are the four most common STI’s?

Chlamydia

Chlamydia is a bacterial infection known as Chlamydia trachomatis. Chlamydia lives either in the uterus, the cervix, the urethra (the tube where urine comes out), the rectum and occasionally in the eyes and throat.  If left untreated, it can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease, inflammation of the testicles or infertility.

Gonorrhoea

Gonorrhoea is caused by a bacteria called Neisseria gonorrhoeae.  Around half of women and 1 in 10 men won’t have any signs of gonorrhoea but if you do get symptoms, they tend to happen within 14 days of being exposed to the infection but they can occur many months later.

Syphilis

Syphilis is caused by a bacteria called Treponema pallidum that causes infected sores, blisters or ulcers on your genitals, anus or mouth. The infection can develop in three separate stages – early (primary and secondary syphilis), latent and the late stage so it can sometimes be hard to recognise the symptoms of this infection.

Herpes

Genital herpes is caused by one of the herpes complex viruses (there are two). Herpes complex virus is very common and most people with genital herpes won’t even know that they have the virus. Symptoms tend to appear between 2-14 days of being exposed to the virus but it can stay dormant in your body for weeks, months and even years. Even though the symptoms disappear, the virus will stay in your body and further outbreaks may appear at a later date.

Why chose Randox Health?

Testing for STI is quick and easy, and sexual health checks should be a normal part of our life, as sex is.

We want you to avoid any long term internal damage and make sure if you’re trying to get pregnant, you first gain a full peace of mind.

Let’s avoid nasty complications in the long run get tested for 10 innovative yet straightforward tests.

You should choose Confidante because:

1. No other testing lab or medical provider will check you for all 10 STI’s
2. Completely private service from purchase to results
3. Discreet delivery to preferred address
4. The STI Test will not appear on your medical record
5. Results will be available within 7 working days on receipt of your sample