What std tests should gay men get
Gay and Bisexual Men STI Screens
Better2Know provides specific STI tests and screens for gay men and men who sleep with men (MSM). Our MSM screens comprise testing for many of Europe’s most commonly diagnosed STIs, including HIV, Syphilis, Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea. If you are a man who has male sexual partners and you are concerned about your sexual health, please contact Better2Know today to arrange a confidential appointment at a clinic near you.
Did you know? …
STI diagnoses are more prevalent amongst homosexual men and men who sleep with men (MSM), than the WSW community.
Complete Screen
The Complete Screen requires blood and urine samples to detect a range of infections that are more commonly transferred between men who slumber with men. Our Accomplish Screen includes testing for harmful blood borne infections such as HIV, Hepatitis B and Syphilis, as well as common STIs such as Chlamydia, Gonorrhoea and Mycoplasma.
Chlamydia, Gonorrhoea, Hepatitis B, HIV, Mycoplasma, Syphilis
Confidence Screen
Better2Know’s Confidence Screen combines the tests available in our Complete Screen with throat and rectal swabs for Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea. You will be
What are routine questions regarding queer men's health that I should be asking my physician during a regular examination?
We propose that sexually active gay men and other men who have sex with men be tested for HIV and STIs (gonorrhea, chlamydia, and syphilis) every three months. Testing for syphilis usually involves a rapid physical exam and a blood try. Testing for gonorrhea and chlamydia involves a urine sample if you execute insertive oral sex or anal sex (i.e. if you “top”), a swab of your throat if you carry out oral sex on other guys, and a rectal swab if you perform receptive anal sex (i.e. if you “bottom”). If you are not getting tested every three months ask your provider if you can be. You can ask your provider what your syphilis infection status is; whether you have gonorrhea or chlamydia in your butt, throat or penis; and discuss with your deliverer about ways to reduce your peril for getting STIs and HIV. If you're not on PrEP, you could talk with your provider about whether PrEP makes meaning for you.
There are a number of vaccines that can protect you against STIs - ask your source if you want vaccines against Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, HPV or
Express Test Clinics
Recently a strain of extremely antibiotic-resistant Shigella has been on the rise in the UK.
What is shigella
Shigella is a type of bacteria that causes severe stomach upset. Infection can be treated with a course of antibiotics. It's passed on through infected faeces (poo), either sexually or through contaminated food.
How shigella is passed on
Shigella is caused by bacteria found in faeces. Only a tiny amount needs to get into your mouth to pass it on - for example, from your fingers.
It’s often caused by contaminated food but it can also be passed on sexually.
Sex that may involve contact with faeces is a risk. This includes anal sex, fisting, handling a condom or sex toy used for anal sex, oral sex after anal sex, touching someone’s backside or rimming.
Someone with shigella can be infectious for up to a month.
More information can be found at THT website
Visiting a sexual health clinic
Getting tested and treated for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) is straightforward and confidential. Most infections can be cured.
A sexual health clinic (SHC) or genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinic specialises in sexual health, and can provide tests and treatment for many STIs.
You can also get advice about contraception, as well as free contraception and condoms.
Some sexual health clinics propose other services, including:
- pregnancy testing
- abortion advice
- help after sexual assault
- medicine to protect against HIV (PEP)
- hepatitis A and B vaccinations
Visiting a sexual health clinic
You can make an appointment to go to a sexual health clinic.
Some sexual health clinics also propose a drop-in clinic, so you may not call an appointment. But it is a good thought to call the sexual health clinic first to check.
You might feel embarrassed, but there's no necessitate – the staff at these clinics are used to testing for all kinds of infections. It's their job and they won't judge you. They will explain everything to you and make you feel at ease.
Anyone can go to a sexual health clinic regardless of their gender, age or whether they have sym
Sexual health for same-sex attracted and bisexual men
Having unprotected penetrative sex is the most likely way to pass on a sexually transmitted infection (STI).
Using a condom helps shield against HIV and lowers the risk of getting many other STIs.
If you’re a man having sex with men (MSM), without condoms and with someone recent, you should have an STI and HIV evaluate every 3 months, otherwise, it should be at least once a year. This can be done at a sexual health clinic (SHC) or genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinic. This is important, as some STIs do not bring about any symptoms.
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A is a liver infection that's spread by a virus in poo.
Hepatitis A is uncommon in the UK but you can find it through sex, including oral-anal sex ("rimming") and giving oral sex after anal sex. MSM with multiple partners are particularly at risk. You can also get it through contaminated food and drink.
Symptoms of hepatitis A can manifest up to 8 weeks after sex and involve tiredness and feeling sick (nausea).
Hepatitis A is not usually life-threatening and most people make a complete recovery within a couple of months.
MSM can escape getting hepatitis A by:
- washing hands after sex (bottom, groin a