The Better2Know Blog

A Covid-19 antibody or serology test uses a blood sample to identify existing Covid-19 antibodies in the body. The presence of Covid-19 antibodies in the blood can be an indication that someone has either been infected with Covid-19 before or has been vaccinated.

Covid-19 travel testing rules are changing on 4 October 2021 for travel into England from abroad.  The traffic light system is being scrapped, leaving just a red list of countries and ‘the rest of the world’, meaning the Covid tests you need to take will be more dependent on your vaccination status.  Here we take a look at some of the key changes.

The most popular and commonly accessible condom is the male (external) condom. However, female condoms are also available, yet they are not as widely recognised as male condoms. How effective are female condoms, and what are the benefits?

With constantly changing travel guidelines, it is difficult to get your head around the most current travel and Covid-19 testing rules. But after too long stuck at home, do not let Covid confusion deter you from taking that much needed get-away. Better2Know has got you covered, offering a wide array of UK pre-departure and post-arrival Covid-19 tests. 

Finding out you have HIV is never going to be easy. You then have to decide who to tell about your HIV status. In this blog, we discuss the different people who you may decide to tell and how to approach this difficult dilemma.

The number of newly diagnosed cases of STIs dropped by one third in England in 2020 according to new Public Health England (PHE) data. The decrease has been attributed to changes in sexual behaviour brought on by lockdowns but also by the disruption to sexual health and STI diagnostic services.

The traditional daily grind has changed for good in the eyes of many workers, particularly during the pandemic, and employees are thinking more towards the life side of the ‘work/life balance’.  During the last 18 months of a Covid filled world, philosophies have changed when it comes to ‘giving all’ to a company and many employees are now valuing their health and wellbeing above their long-term employment commitments.

While condoms do provide protection against most sexually transmitted infections (STIs), some infections can be passed through skin-on-skin contact alone. It is important to get clued up on which STIs you may be at risk of.

World Sexual Health Day (WSHD) is on Saturday 4^th September and is an annual event organized by the World Association for Sexual Health (WAS) designed to promote education, awareness, and best practices in sexual health.

With an NHS shortage of the test tubes required for taking blood samples, leading testing provider Better2Know is showing how the private sector can fill the testing void.  First, let us look at the issue in more depth, and the reasons behind it:

There are lots of things to consider when having sex for the first time. You might be curious about how it feels and how to deal with the concerns that may come with it. These thoughts are entirely natural in any case. The best thing you can do to overcome your concerns and enjoy the moment is to be prepared.

Many teens ponder who they are as they grow up. Questioning your sexual orientation is an important aspect of figuring out who you are. You may question whether you are gay, lesbian, bisexual, or part of another LGBTQ+ community. Only through this process can you discover your true self.

There is a lot of misinformation and stigma about sexually transmitted infections (STIs) which can make the topic difficult and uncomfortable to discuss. However, STIs are common and can affect men and women of all ages. Globally, over 1 million people acquire an STI every day [1], therefore it is vital to understand what you should do if you receive a positive test result.

Mycoplasma, Ureaplasma, Gardnerella and Trichomonas. What do you know about these STIs? With over 70% of men and 85% of women having had unsafe sex in the past year [1], it is more important than ever to be aware of lesser-known infections which could be harmful if left untreated.

Today is World Hepatitis Day. This year’s theme ‘Hepatitis Can’t Wait’ highlights that, despite the challenges presented by the Covid-19 pandemic, we must act on Hepatitis. Every 30 seconds, a person dies from a Hepatitis-related illness.

Dr Mark Bloch has been working in the field of HIV medicine since 1983 and is now the director of Clinical Research at Holdsworth House in Sydney. We asked Dr Bloch some questions about HIV to gain a deeper insight into his thoughts and experience with HIV-positive patients. 

Pain in the pelvic area is a symptom of many different health conditions. It can be chronic (long-term) or acute (short-term). Here, we explain the possible reasons why pelvic pain may occur and further symptoms to look out for.

Recent changes to the National Chlamydia Screening Programme will alter how Chlamydia testing works for young men in the UK. Under the new rules, it will be more difficult for men under 25 to get tested for Chlamydia unless they have symptoms, or a partner has tested positive.

After the UK achieved the ‘90-90-90’ targets just three years after the goal was set by the United Nations in 2014, a new goal was established – to end HIV transmission by 2030. A recent study investigates how likely it is that the UK will achieve this target.

Jess Phillips recently explained the “shame and guilt” she experienced during her 20s, after receiving the news that she had HPV – the human papillomavirus. However, the reality is that most sexually active adults will contract HPV in their lifetime.

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) affect people all over the world. But what do the numbers say? In this blog, Better2Know explores some statistics published by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

While the pandemic is not over just yet, we have become somewhat accustomed to new ways of life and we, as humans, are still learning every day. Taking the time to reflect on the past year, the pandemic has taught the world countless lessons which we will carry with us for the rest of our lives.

After a long wait, most Covid-19 restrictions have finally lifted across the UK. As restaurants, bars and venues reopen, many of us eagerly await the chance to get back out there, socialise, meet new people and even get back into the world of dating.

Most HPV infections do not cause health problems. However, since an HPV infection can become cancerous, it is important to understand what HPV is, how it can lead to cancer, and how to prevent it.

Are you dreaming of escaping overseas? With international travel back on the cards, your dream could become a reality. However, it is important to be aware of the Government’s new traffic light system which may alter your travel plans.

While it is near impossible to have entirely safe sex with another person, there are several things you can do to protect yourself from sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Let’s discuss how to avoid catching an unwanted infection.

Sometimes referred to as a ‘silent STI’, Chlamydia is the most common STI in the UK. If left untreated, a Chlamydia infection can have long-term health consequences for both men and women. But what is meant by a ‘silent STI’?

How much do you know about Hepatitis A? Better2Know is here to give you all the information you need about this type of Hepatitis, including symptoms, treatment and how to test for the virus.

The 1980s AIDS crisis left an everlasting impact on many people’s lives. Now, a memorial is set to be built in London to commemorate those who lost their lives and to raise awareness of the stigma surrounding HIV.

The UK’s third lockdown will soon be ending as planned on Monday 12^th April. Many restrictions will be lifted, including the re-opening of non-essential shops and gyms, as well as pubs and restaurants for outdoor service.