![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.better2know.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/STDs-cannot-be-cured-1024x518.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nDon’t leave your sexual health to chance. Get tested with Better2Know today.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Herpes<\/strong><\/a> exists in two forms: Herpes Simplex Virus 1 (HSV-1) and Herpes Simplex Virus 2 (HSV-2).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Both strains can cause Genital or Oral Herpes, though HSV-1 typically leads to Oral Herpes and HSV-2 to Genital Herpes. The virus sets up shop in nerve endings near your mouth or genitals and periodically rises to the skin, causing symptoms. Infected people are most contagious during these outbreaks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n During a Herpes outbreak, you may experience symptoms like:<\/p>\n\n\n\n In most cases, the initial outbreak causes the most severe symptoms. As time goes on and your immune system adapts to the presence of the virus, outbreaks will become less intense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Treatment usually involves antiviral medications, which are taken for varying durations depending on the individual. These medications help prevent the virus from replicating, reducing outbreaks’ frequency and severity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The virus lays dormant between outbreaks in your spinal column and our immunity can’t eradicate it. It’s therefore a life-long infection, but the frequency of outbreaks can ben controlled, if need be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Are you experiencing the symptoms of Herpes? Get tested at home with our Herpes Home Test Kit.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Most acute Hepatitis B<\/strong><\/a> infections are cleared by the immune system with very few discernible symptoms, if any. However, in around 20% of cases, the infection becomes chronic, lasting anywhere between six months and several years. This infection can also be permanent for some people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It’s a very highly infectious virus which is transmitted in oral, vaginal, and anal sex.<\/p>\n\n\n\n During a chronic infection, the virus causes substantial damage to the liver tissue, potentially causing liver disease, liver cancer, liver failure, and cirrhosis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Fortunately, there is a vaccine available to prevent Hepatitis B. If you haven\u2019t been vaccinated or are unsure about your vaccination status, ask your Better2Know Sexual Health Advisor about getting the Hepatitis B Immunity test to check your immune status, or getting the vaccine to protect your sexual health. One important thing to note is that, even if HBsAB tests are negative, current guideline say that, if there’s a record of having been vaccinated against the virus at some point, you don’t need to be vaccinated again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Treatment for Hepatitis B varies based on individual health factors, particularly liver function. If you think you may have Hepatitis B, you may need to seek out specialised treatment if you test positive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Concerned that you may have Hepatitis B? Find out your HBV status with our Home Test Kit.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)<\/strong><\/a>, once contracted, will result in a lifelong infection. Most people get HIV through unprotected vaginal and anal sex, but the virus can also be transmitted through sharing needles for intravenous drug use, unsterilised tattooing equipment, needle stick injuries, and other forms of blood-to-blood contact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Many people who contract HIV don’t know that they have it. Symptoms of an acute HIV infection can often be confused with the symptoms of other, less serious infections or not appear at all, and so the infected person never thinks to seek testing or treatment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Following the initial infection, the virus remains latent in the body, reproducing and damaging your immune system. During this period, the infected person feels completely well. The result of this damage may not be seen for several years. As HIV advances in the body, symptoms of a weakened immune system start to appear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Common symptoms include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n The good news is that if an HIV infection is spotted early through testing, the condition can be managed with antiretroviral medication. This medication helps reduce the HIV viral load in your body, keeping your immune system healthy and reducing or eliminating the likelihood of passing on the infection to someone else.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Worried about your HIV status? Get tested in the comfort of your own home with our Home Test Kit.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Preventing STIs begins with practising safe sex. This involves consistently and correctly using condoms, dental dams, or other protective barriers during every sexual encounter. It\u2019s also crucial to understand how STIs spread; for instance, while many associate sexual transmission with vaginal or anal sex, some STIs can also be transmitted through oral sex. You can also get STIs from sharing sex toys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In addition to safe sex practices, regular STD screenings are vital, especially if you have multiple sexual partners or are not in a mutually monogamous relationship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Depending on the infection, living with an STI can be a challenge. But in most cases, treating these infections can help you lead a normal, healthy life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you think you may have been exposed to an STI, get tested with Better2Know’s Full Screen, which tests for the UK’s seven most common infections.<\/p>\n\n\n\nHerpes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Hepatitis B<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
HIV<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Tips for STD prevention<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Final thoughts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.better2know.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/couple-talking-1-1024x518.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n![\"Share](\"https:\/\/www.better2know.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/plugins\/simple-share-buttons-adder\/buttons\/somacro\/facebook.png\" "\\"Facebook\\"")
![\"Pin](\"https:\/\/www.better2know.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/plugins\/simple-share-buttons-adder\/buttons\/somacro\/pinterest.png\" "\\"Pinterest\\"")
![\"Tweet](\"https:\/\/www.better2know.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/plugins\/simple-share-buttons-adder\/buttons\/somacro\/twitter.png\" "\\"Twitter\\"")
![\"Share](\"https:\/\/www.better2know.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/plugins\/simple-share-buttons-adder\/buttons\/somacro\/linkedin.png\" "\\"LinkedIn\\"")