{"id":8330,"date":"2024-08-02T13:54:34","date_gmt":"2024-08-02T13:54:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.better2know.co.uk\/blog\/?p=8330"},"modified":"2024-08-02T13:56:40","modified_gmt":"2024-08-02T13:56:40","slug":"why-home-test-kits-for-stis-are-a-great-option-for-getting-tested","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.better2know.co.uk\/blog\/why-home-test-kits-for-stis-are-a-great-option-for-getting-tested\/","title":{"rendered":"Why home test kits for STIs are a great option for getting tested"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Sexual health is an important aspect of your overall health. Maintaining it can take a lot of thought and consideration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With STIs continuing to have profound effects on those who get them, it\u2019s important to ensure people have the tools they need to maintain their sexual health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Home test kits for STIs offer a safe, convenient, and accurate way for people to get a full view of their sexual health status, giving them the information they need to manage their health or get treated if required.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are a few reasons why home test kits are a great option for most people.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Are you concerned about a recent sexual encounter? Get a Full Screen with Better2Know.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Get tested<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Accurate results<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Some people may feel that home test kits are less accurate or reliable than tests done in a lab.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But this isn\u2019t the case.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Research<\/a> conducted by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) shows that samples collected by individuals are often just as good as samples collected at sexual health clinics by clinicians, especially for infections like Chlamydia or Gonorrhoea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Better2Know\u2019s home test kits were created to make testing so easy that anyone can do it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This means that whether you get tested at home or a clinic, you\u2019ll get the same high-quality samples that can deliver accurate results for your test.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

More privacy<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The thought of having an STI can be very stressful for many people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Part of this stress comes from the stigma around having STIs. Many people, for a variety of social, psychological, and emotional reasons, don\u2019t feel comfortable going to a sexual health clinic.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

With a home test kit, you can get tested in the privacy of your own home without having to travel to a clinic. It also removes the need to get a clinician to take any samples. Many people don\u2019t feel comfortable getting swab samples taken, especially in intimate areas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A home test kit can also be delivered straight to your door in a nondescript box under a different name<\/strong>, ensuring maximum privacy protection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Home test kits also offer an alternative for people who are afraid of needles. Most home tests that require blood samples use lancets that prick a small hole in the finger to release blood.  This sample collection method is sufficient to detect most blood-borne STIs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With home test kits, you only have to worry about collecting and posting your samples to a laboratory. Easy!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Time saved<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Clinics can get busy. Human and material resources can be limited at any given time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With a home test kit, you don\u2019t have to worry about long wait times or getting to and from the clinic. You can order the test and have it delivered straight to your door.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Better2Know also offers Special Delivery on home test kits to the UK and Ireland, allowing you to get your test kit the next working day after you order it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Safe and easy delivery<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

All Better2Know home test kits include a pre-paid delivery envelope for your samples. After you collect your samples, seal them in the envelope and post them. Your samples will be sent directly to our certified laboratory for analysis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Detailed instructions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Each test kit includes detailed instructions on how to take your test samples and post them to our laboratory, making the entire process quick and simple.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to improve the chances of a great result<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There are some things you can do to ensure that you get reliable and accurate test results with your home test kit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Test after the incubation period<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The incubation period is the time between the initial infection and when that infection can be detected by a test. The length of an incubation period depends on the infection and the test.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Getting tested before the incubation period may result in an inaccurate test result, so it\u2019s important to get tested at the right time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Keep your hands and surfaces clean<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When using your test kit, keep your hands and any surfaces on which you lay the test materials clean. This will ensure that no contaminants can affect the samples you send in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speak to a Sexual Health Advisor<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you need help with your home test kit or have any questions about the testing process, call the number at the top of this page to speak to one of our trained Sexual Health Advisors. They can walk you through the process and advise you on any questions you may have about taking your sample.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Follow home test kit instructions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Every Better2Know home test kit includes detailed instructions for collecting and delivering your samples. Follow these instructions to get your home test results as soon as possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Popular home test kits<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you want to get tested at home but don\u2019t know where to start, here are some of Better2Know\u2019s most popular home test kits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n