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Understanding of HIV Test Results

How long do results take? Rapid HIV tests can give results in 15 to 60 minutes, or on the same day. ‘Rapid’ refers to the time taken for the results and not to the time between exposure and the test. If samples are being sent to another lab, results can take from a few days or a few weeks. Rapid blood tests put a pin-prick of blood on a testing strip. This test takes about 15 to 20 minutes so you can get the results whilst you wait. Some rapid tests also work on oral samples rather than blood. Although they are sometimes called saliva tests this is not accurate. Oral samples collect cells from the surface of the gums...

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HIV Advice for Gay Men

  We've all heard the myths! If you're gay men you're bound to become HIV-positive. Right? Wrong! Just because you are gay does not mean you will become HIV-positive. But it is true that the virus does affect gay men more than the general population. In the UK today the vast majority of transmissions come from men who don't know they have the virus. Hence why testing is so important. In 2019, it was estimated that there are 105,200 people living with HIV in the UK.    94% of these people are diagnosed, and therefore know that they have HIV. This means that around 1 in 16 people living with HIV in the UK do not know that they have the virus.   98%...

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A Urologist Bust 7 Common Myths About Condoms

Recently, a urologist and pelvic surgeon Dr. Rena Malik makes accessible YouTube content with the goal of helping people have a healthier sex life. In the video, she breaks down some of the most pervasive myths and misconceptions surrounding condoms, and explains everything you need to know in order to make an informed choice about contraception in order to prevent unwanted pregnancy and STDs. Condoms are "unreliable" "When used correctly, condoms are 98 percent effective at preventing pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases," says Malik. "However if you are not using it correctly, it could break, reducing the efficacy to 92 percent." She explains that you should always check the expiration date on a condom wrapper before using it, and clarifies that condoms...

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What You Should Do After Unprotected Sex or Condom Failure

If you’ve had sex without a condom or a sexual experience where the condom broke, try not to panic.Things happen, and you’re far from the only person to go through either of these experiences.What you do need to remember, though, is that there are a few risks associated with these sexual events.But there are plenty of steps you can take to address those risks so that you remain protected and sexually healthy. Immediately afterIf you notice that the condom broke, stop any sexual activity and move away from your partner.If you’ve had sex without a condom, remember that there are a few things you can do immediately to help.Use the bathroomFirst, head to the bathroom to remove lingering fluids from...

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Do Condoms Expire? 7 Things to Know Before Use

Expiration and effectivenessCondoms do expire and using one that’s past its expiry date can greatly reduce condom effectiveness.Expired condoms are often drier and weaker, so they’re more likely to break during intercourse. This puts you and your partner at risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) or unwanted pregnancy.Male condoms that haven’t expired are about 98 percent effective if you use them perfectly every time you have sex. No one is perfect, though, so male condoms that haven’t expired are actually about 85 percent effective. These figures will drop drastically if the condom’s expired.The average shelf life of a condom is three to five years, depending on the manufacturer and how it’s stored. Read on to learn more about why they...

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