Why is having a full sexual health screen so important?

The Full Screen tests for HIV I/II and the p24 antigen, Chlamydia, Gonorrhoea, Syphilis, Hepatitis B, Mycoplasma and Ureaplasma.

Below we have outlined a few of the key Australian statistics relating to each of the STIs we test for in the Full Screen:

HIV I/II and the p24 antigen

• Afao.org.au estimated 29,090 people were living with HIV in 2020
• 2,610 people were not aware they were positive in 2020
• The pandemic has caused a huge drop in HIV testing which needs to be reinstated to pre-pandemic levels

Chlamydia

• Chlamydia is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI) in Australia, particularly among young people aged between 15 and 25 years
• According to healthdirect.gov.au, Chlamydia is the most frequently reported STI in Australia. Nearly 97,000 men and women are diagnosed with it each year
• Approximately 3 in 4 women with Chlamydia do not show any early symptoms. For men, the proportion is estimated at 1 in 2 men

Gonorrhoea

• Between 2012 and 2016 there was a 63% increase in notification rates from 61.9 to 100.8 per 100,000 people
• According to the Kirby Institute, between 2012 and 2016 there was a 43% increase in notification rates among women from 25.7 to 55.9 per 100,000
• Abc.net.au reported in 2019 that Gonorrhoea has been diagnosed more frequently in gay and bisexual men, but the data suggests the number of new diagnoses of this STI among women has increased

Syphilis

• In 2020, notifications of infectious Syphilis in Australia increased by nearly 90% from recorded rates in 2015 according to the Australian Government – Department of Health
• Three key demographics are more at risk than others; men who have sex with men, women of child-bearing age and those living in outbreak areas which include Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities

This video from the Australian Department of Health entitled ‘Don’t fool around with Syphilis’ explains how Syphilis is easily treatable if diagnosed, but also the potentially serious consequences if it is not, highlighting the importance of regular testing.

Hepatitis B

• Hepatitisaustralia.com reports that in Australia 226,566 people are living with lifelong Hepatitis B and many are not aware they have the virus
• Medicalxpress.com reported this March that 46.3% of people with chronic Hepatitis B were born in the Asia-Pacific region
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples also have a higher prevalence, which is 7% of people with chronic Hepatitis B

Mycoplasma Genitalium

• In Australia, the prevalence of Mycoplasma Genitalium ranges from 2.1–13% depending on the population tested according to ncbi.nim.nih.gov
• Antibiotic resistance exceeds 60% in the majority of cases and exceeds 80% in men who have sex with men reported by sti.guidelines.org.au
• Most people do not experience any symptoms with Mycoplasma Genitalium and may be infected for years without knowing it

Ureaplasma

• Ureaplasma is one of Australia´s most common STIs, which is transmitted through vaginal, anal, or oral intercourse
• This STI can be asymptomatic but if left untreated can lead to chronic discomfort and pelvic inflammatory diseases (PID)
• It can cause infertility in women and urethritis in men and complications during pregnancy. An infection with Ureaplasma can also increase your risk of other infections including HIV

This latest data and information about these sexually transmitted infections in Australia crucially highlights the importance of taking a comprehensive STI screen, such as the Full Screen, to give you an overall perspective of your sexual health.

You will provide blood and urine samples for analysis taken by a qualified clinician, and you do not need to offer a swab which can be painful. You should not use the bathroom two hours prior to your private appointment to produce your urine sample. The Full Screen does not require you to fast or make changes to your diet.

Should you test positive Better2Know´s dedicated and well-trained advisors will arrange a private consultation with a doctor, who will prescribe the medication you need and provide you with your treatment choices.

If you have any questions about HIV testing and STI testing or your general sexual health then please speak with one of our highly trained advisors, either by phone using the number at the top of this page or through our live online webchat.

Better2Know can make you an appointment at a sexual health clinic near you and arrange confidential consultations and appointments. We provide a wide range of tests and comprehensive screens such as our Full Screen or Platinum Screen to meet your needs. Your personal advisor is available to assist you with your sexual health concerns 24/7.

[1] Australian Government: Department of Health