Question 1

What are the symptoms of HIV in men?

Accepted Answer

HIV can be passed on through unprotected contact with infected blood, semen, vaginal fluid, pre-ejaculate, or breast milk. Unprotected vaginal and anal sexual intercourse carries a greater risk of HIV infection. It is also possible to catch HIV through oral sex, though this is less common. Sharing needles – often for recreational drug use – or any other activity where bodily fluids are exchanged between partners, also increases your risk of contracting HIV.

The early signs of an HIV infection can include headaches, fever, rash, sore throat, swollen glands, and vomiting. Of course, these symptoms frequently occur in far less severe conditions, such as the common cold and, as a result, the only way to be completely certain of your HIV status is to get tested.

Question 2

Can men get Ureaplasma?

Accepted Answer

Men can get Ureaplasma. Ureaplasma is one of the most common STIs in men. Most men who have Ureaplasma often do not show symptoms at first. However, the longer the infection goes untreated the more likely you are to have symptoms.

Testing for Ureaplasma with Better2Know is simple, straightforward, and fast. All we need is a single urine sample. Your results will be ready up to five working days from when your sample is received in our accredited, laboratory.

Question 3

Should men get tested for Chlamydia?

Accepted Answer

Men can contract Chlamydia, which is normally passed by having unprotected sexual activity with someone who currently has the infection. Chlamydia often has no symptoms, so anyone might have it currently without knowing, the only way to fully know is to get a sexual health test.

Chlamydia can infect your genitals (if you have had vaginal sex or given anal sex), anus (if you have received anal sex), and mouth (if you have given oral sex). Please make sure that you get the right test as a Chlamydia infection in the mouth needs a throat swab, it cannot be detected in a urine sample. Similarly, a rectal swab is needed if you think you may have an anal infection.

Chlamydia can lead to men developing a burning sensation when urinating, pain during sex, and it can cause your testicles to swell. Chlamydia can lead to reduced fertility in men and you can infect your next partner. So it is really important to get tested.

Question 4

What are the symptoms of HPV in men?

Accepted Answer

Men with HPV often will not show symptoms. So the only way to know if you are safe is to get a sexual health test. HPV has hundreds of different types, about 40 of which can be transmitted through sexual contact (you do not need to have sex).

Symptoms if they do show can be in the form of Genital Warts. Warts are often small red or pink growths which can be small but also, in extreme circumstances, be as wide as 10cm. These are Low Risk types of HPV and do not typically go on to cause cancers.

The reason it is so important to test regularly for HPV is that it is responsible for 90% of anal cancers in men. These are High Risk types of HPV.

Question 5

What are the first signs of Genital Herpes in men?

Accepted Answer

A man who has a herpes infection may have no symptoms at all, mild symptoms that they do not recognise as herpes (the case with most people), or outbreaks of uncomfortable blisters, usually around the mouth (called cold sores), or in the genital area.

Herpes usually causes blisters which can be itchy and uncomfortable. The first outbreak is usually the most severe. Blisters usually take between two days and three weeks to appear, following the initial infection. The blisters start as small bumps, developing into full blisters and eventually bursting, releasing pus. Blisters can be small or large, and may be just one blister, or a cluster located close together. Other symptoms can include:

Painful itching in the area of the outbreak
Burning during urination and/ or sex
Headaches
Swollen glands
Muscles aches
Feeling tired and run down

If you have Herpes, it will remain in your body for your life. There is currently no specific treatment, but there is medication to control the outbreaks as they occur.

An estimated 80% of men carry the Herpes Simplex I Virus (Oral Herpes), while approximately 25% carry HSV II (Genital Herpes). Getting a blood test is the only way to know if you have herpes.

Question 6

What are the Symptoms of Hepatitis B in men?

Accepted Answer

Hepatitis B is a virus which infects the liver. It is one of the most infectious blood-borne viruses (BBVs). It can survive on exposed surfaces, even after cleaning with bleach. As well as unprotected sexual intercourse, infection commonly occurs through the sharing of contaminated needles (e.g. intravenous drug use), accidental injury with a contaminated needle (tattooing, body piercing, or acupuncture), and the sharing of contaminated razors.

Symptoms of an acute Hepatitis B infection in men can include:

Tiredness
Muscle aches
Nausea
Vomiting
Darker urine than normal
Jaundice

If you are worried about Hepatitis B please contact us today on the number above or click Get Started to book online.

Question 7

What are the symptoms of Hepatitis C in men?

Accepted Answer

Hepatitis C is a viral infection. Most men with Hepatitis C will not have any symptoms for several years. You may start to feel tired and lacking in energy. Around three-quarters of all untreated male Hepatitis C patients will develop a long-term condition. Symptoms will start as the infection starts to progress and can include:

Tiredness
Aching limbs
Digestive problems
Brain fog

If you are worried about Hepatitis C please click on Get Started above to book your test today.

Question 8

How do you test for Syphilis in men?

Accepted Answer

Syphilis is a potentially life-threatening infection, which can cause serious health complications in men if left undetected and untreated. It is, however, curable with the right treatment.

The first sign that you have Syphilis will usually be the appearance of a Syphilis Sore, or Chancre, in the first few days and weeks following infection. Once this heals, many people with Syphilis will not experience further symptoms for years. However, they remain at risk of developing further stages of Syphilis.

Syphilis is common in gay, bisexual, and straight men. If you are worried about a chancre or recent encounter click on get started above.

Question 9

Why is having sex with another man more high risk?

Accepted Answer

Sex between two men is normally considered by the medical profession to be high-risk. This is because this often includes anal sex. The anus is thinner than the walls of the vagina in women, and so it is more likely to tear during intercourse. If there is a tear in the lining then this means that blood and semen are more likely to mix. This makes it more likely that any infection will be passed on. Particularly from the person giving anal sex to the person receiving it.

Studies have also shown that Men who have sex with Men have more partners and are less likely to use protection. This means that they are more likely to have an STI and therefore pass it on.

Better2Know has developed three screens specifically for Gay and Bisexual Men. These are:

Complete Screen
Confidence Screen
Conclusive Screen

These include testing for common and important STIs including Chlamydia, Gonorrhoea, Syphilis, and HIV. The Confidence and Conclusive screens also including testing of your mouth and anus for Chlamydia, Gonorrhoea, and HPV (Conclusive only).

Need help? Contact one of our expert advisors.

Call 031 630 5184

How can we help you?

Need help? Contact one of our expert advisors.

Call 031 630 5184