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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
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For testing at home.
I used to go to clinics till I was told about these, they are fast and free and you get your results sooner than most clinics.
Great way to test during Covid.
They also do free morning after pills.
(I never bareback for the record but condoms break and testing is always good to do anyway) |
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By *emini ManMan
over a year ago
There and to the left a bit |
Agree it's who I used to use before lockdown put a stop to meeting - although it's not available in all areas.
They also have an excellent and informative section on their site about the various STIs that I would recommend anyone that is serious about their sexual health to take a look at. |
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"Its a bit to quick ,it cannot be tested that quick "
I meant the return of your results not that you can test within 5 minutes of any possible infection. They give guidelines on how long to wait before testing. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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These are fab. It's just a shame they don't offer throat swabs also.
I also use "Love Is Infectious" free postal testing (Merseyside area).
And my local Gum Clinic have postal kits too. I mention them to a lot of people. So easy and convenient.
I always head to my local GUM clinic 2-3 times a year for a full screen. But these postal kits are great also
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Its a bit to quick ,it cannot be tested that quick
???"
A small benefit of Covid (if that is at all possible) as they want minimal attendance in person at GUM clinics.
I bet when Covid is over it will go back to the bad old days. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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I’ve used SH24 for a basic home screening they were fab text updates throughout the process too. But as someone else said a full screen every 3-6 months is always good too for the “big” things. Not that I play bare but you just never know! |
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By *emini ManMan
over a year ago
There and to the left a bit |
"I’ve used SH24 for a basic home screening they were fab text updates throughout the process too. But as someone else said a full screen every 3-6 months is always good too for the “big” things. Not that I play bare but you just never know! "
SH:24 does a full screen - everything the clinic tests me for (and that's everything) SH:24 tests - the only difference is I take the samples myself rather than a nurse at the clinic
Unless different areas offer different levels of testing I guess. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Its a bit to quick ,it cannot be tested that quick
???
A small benefit of Covid (if that is at all possible) as they want minimal attendance in person at GUM clinics.
I bet when Covid is over it will go back to the bad old days. "
Bad old days?
SH24 takes funding from local clinics. Yet if you need treatment you will have to pay yourself or go to a clinic but eventually waits will be longer as there will be minimal clinics open.
So ideally If your local clinic offers asymptotic testing take it up as the less a service is accessed they will do away with it.
It’s basically down to funding, if your area does have SH24 funding available it means they will have taken the funding away from the sexual health clinic for asymptotic testing  and given it to sh24. The difference is that If you have a positive with SH24 you will get a text and then it will be up to you to contact a clinic etc if you have asymptotic testing at a clinic you will get a phone call and support if your positive, they will also ensure you are being tested for the correct things too.... |
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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
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"Its a bit to quick ,it cannot be tested that quick
???
A small benefit of Covid (if that is at all possible) as they want minimal attendance in person at GUM clinics.
I bet when Covid is over it will go back to the bad old days.
Bad old days?
SH24 takes funding from local clinics. Yet if you need treatment you will have to pay yourself or go to a clinic but eventually waits will be longer as there will be minimal clinics open.
So ideally If your local clinic offers asymptotic testing take it up as the less a service is accessed they will do away with it.
It’s basically down to funding, if your area does have SH24 funding available it means they will have taken the funding away from the sexual health clinic for asymptotic testing and given it to sh24. The difference is that If you have a positive with SH24 you will get a text and then it will be up to you to contact a clinic etc if you have asymptotic testing at a clinic you will get a phone call and support if your positive, they will also ensure you are being tested for the correct things too...."
Thing is, for people like me who use condoms regular, chances of me actually having anything are slim, so regular testing is easiest and quickest done at home.
The posters who say full tests, they test everything upto aids with a at home finger prick so not sure what that means.
This was meant as a covid alternative option so going into clinics is best avoided atm and many dont know about this service  |
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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
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"How are people catching sti's 7 months into a pandemic? "
Well, there was a few months with the rule of 6, us singles could also bubble up, and you cannot seriously think we have gone that whole time sat on our own going out of our minds because mental health also matters and some of us need physical contact, sorry, it is just a silly human requirement.
I tested before going back into full lockdown, as when we cannot mix households, I wont. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"How are people catching sti's 7 months into a pandemic?
Well, there was a few months with the rule of 6, us singles could also bubble up, and you cannot seriously think we have gone that whole time sat on our own going out of our minds because mental health also matters and some of us need physical contact, sorry, it is just a silly human requirement.
I tested before going back into full lockdown, as when we cannot mix households, I wont."
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"How are people catching sti's 7 months into a pandemic? "
Testing isn't about catching STI's, its checking if you have one or not and is a sensible thing to do regardless.
And worse case scenario, YOU (Royal you) may not have slept with anyone but your partner although there is no guarantee that they have only slept with you.
Seriously, the amount of reasons for being tested are innumerable so forget this covid crap for one moment. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"These are fab. It's just a shame they don't offer throat swabs also.
I've had throat swabs from SH:24 every time I've used them"
No option for this in my area for some reason |
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By *emini ManMan
over a year ago
There and to the left a bit |
"These are fab. It's just a shame they don't offer throat swabs also.
I've had throat swabs from SH:24 every time I've used them
No option for this in my area for some reason "
I guess from what was said earlier different local health authorities pay for different levels of testing so it becomes a postcode lottery as to what you can get - seems odd that anyone would rule out a test for one of the most prevalent STIs currently (chlamydia) - unless of course there is scientific evidence that it would show up in the other tests they do anyway, but that would lead you to question why other areas do use it |
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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
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"you cannot seriously think we have gone that whole time sat on our own going out of our minds
I have been doing exactly this. 244 days since I last socialised or touched another human being. "
Good for you but we don't all cope the same |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Its a bit to quick ,it cannot be tested that quick
???
A small benefit of Covid (if that is at all possible) as they want minimal attendance in person at GUM clinics.
I bet when Covid is over it will go back to the bad old days.
Bad old days?
SH24 takes funding from local clinics. Yet if you need treatment you will have to pay yourself or go to a clinic but eventually waits will be longer as there will be minimal clinics open.
So ideally If your local clinic offers asymptotic testing take it up as the less a service is accessed they will do away with it.
It’s basically down to funding, if your area does have SH24 funding available it means they will have taken the funding away from the sexual health clinic for asymptotic testing and given it to sh24. The difference is that If you have a positive with SH24 you will get a text and then it will be up to you to contact a clinic etc if you have asymptotic testing at a clinic you will get a phone call and support if your positive, they will also ensure you are being tested for the correct things too....
Thing is, for people like me who use condoms regular, chances of me actually having anything are slim, so regular testing is easiest and quickest done at home.
The posters who say full tests, they test everything upto aids with a at home finger prick so not sure what that means.
This was meant as a covid alternative option so going into clinics is best avoided atm and many dont know about this service "
I’m not quite sure why I got this face when I am trying to say please support your clinics first as many are offering the same service as SH24 and it’s worth checking to see what’s on offer. clinics are NHS. SH24 is privatised. I am just suggesting alternatives too as SH24 isn’t available in all areas yes majority of clinics are offering at home testing that people are not aware of |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"These are fab. It's just a shame they don't offer throat swabs also.
I've had throat swabs from SH:24 every time I've used them
No option for this in my area for some reason
I guess from what was said earlier different local health authorities pay for different levels of testing so it becomes a postcode lottery as to what you can get - seems odd that anyone would rule out a test for one of the most prevalent STIs currently (chlamydia) - unless of course there is scientific evidence that it would show up in the other tests they do anyway, but that would lead you to question why other areas do use it"
It’s purely down to what the commissioners agree to pay out for in each area. A lot will only pay out for throat swabs for men that will have sex with men. The only way around this for a woman is to put a note on it saying you have had oral sex with a bi man and require a throat swab. There is reasons behind it but I won’t bore you with it  |
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"They've very handy, although I simply can't get the hang of the blood test (specifically getting the blood actually in the pot, rather than everywhere else)."
I seriously struggle to get enough blood out of myself. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"you cannot seriously think we have gone that whole time sat on our own going out of our minds
I have been doing exactly this. 244 days since I last socialised or touched another human being. "
I find this quite sad. Surely it must get to a point where life is about living not just surviving ? |
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"you cannot seriously think we have gone that whole time sat on our own going out of our minds
I have been doing exactly this. 244 days since I last socialised or touched another human being.
I find this quite sad. Surely it must get to a point where life is about living not just surviving ? "
"Sad" isn't really relevant; "right" is what matters here.
Yes, I miss the Before Times. However, my desire to get laid does not outweigh the safety of others. Therefore I will continue doing my bit to protect all of us.
While I do not like the answer, the equation is a simple one for me. Stay at home where possible. Stay two metres apart when it isn't. Wear a mask outside my home. Be patient. It's not about *me*. It's about *everyone*. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"you cannot seriously think we have gone that whole time sat on our own going out of our minds
I have been doing exactly this. 244 days since I last socialised or touched another human being.
I find this quite sad. Surely it must get to a point where life is about living not just surviving ?
"Sad" isn't really relevant; "right" is what matters here.
Yes, I miss the Before Times. However, my desire to get laid does not outweigh the safety of others. Therefore I will continue doing my bit to protect all of us.
While I do not like the answer, the equation is a simple one for me. Stay at home where possible. Stay two metres apart when it isn't. Wear a mask outside my home. Be patient. It's not about *me*. It's about *everyone*. "
Do you not feel you are able to socialize with other people though and still stay safe ? I just couldn’t accept that length of time to not interact with others. I’m not talking about getting laid but surely for your own good you still need actual social meetings with your friends and family ? |
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"you cannot seriously think we have gone that whole time sat on our own going out of our minds
I have been doing exactly this. 244 days since I last socialised or touched another human being.
I find this quite sad. Surely it must get to a point where life is about living not just surviving ?
"Sad" isn't really relevant; "right" is what matters here.
Yes, I miss the Before Times. However, my desire to get laid does not outweigh the safety of others. Therefore I will continue doing my bit to protect all of us.
While I do not like the answer, the equation is a simple one for me. Stay at home where possible. Stay two metres apart when it isn't. Wear a mask outside my home. Be patient. It's not about *me*. It's about *everyone*.
Do you not feel you are able to socialize with other people though and still stay safe ? I just couldn’t accept that length of time to not interact with others. I’m not talking about getting laid but surely for your own good you still need actual social meetings with your friends and family ? "
No. It's impossible for me to reach my friends without endangering all of us.
I am in daily communication with people I care about, so I don't feel lonely. I have plenty of plans to look forward to when it's safe again.
I don't have a family.
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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
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"you cannot seriously think we have gone that whole time sat on our own going out of our minds
I have been doing exactly this. 244 days since I last socialised or touched another human being.
I find this quite sad. Surely it must get to a point where life is about living not just surviving ?
"Sad" isn't really relevant; "right" is what matters here.
Yes, I miss the Before Times. However, my desire to get laid does not outweigh the safety of others. Therefore I will continue doing my bit to protect all of us.
While I do not like the answer, the equation is a simple one for me. Stay at home where possible. Stay two metres apart when it isn't. Wear a mask outside my home. Be patient. It's not about *me*. It's about *everyone*. "
It isnt about "getting laid" and this was not a thread about how people are managing or living their life, theres a virus room for that. It was sharing some information some will find useful and i am not sure how some have still managed to be negative on an informative post.
Too many negative nellys who always want to argue for the sake of it. |
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People like the pick at everything OP. You’ve done nothing wrong and I’ve seen a few people in here say they’ve never heard of the service so you’ve educated some people to look into it.
The home testing kits are great, especially for people who are two shy/embarrassed for the clinic or maybe have to be a bit more discreet. |
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Also for people saying they can’t get blood out of their fingers for the test. Diabetic here so used to pricking my finger. Few things to try out. Warm your hands up, either sit on them or run them under warm water. Also keep your arm/hand hang down facing the ground and let some blood flow to your hand. And lastly try different fingers, my little fingers give me so much blood than the others no idea why. Hope this helps! |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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Really does appear to be a post code lottery, in terms of what is available and the level of swabbing. I wasn't aware of the funding issues and how sh24 (plus others) make their money.
Thanks for the informative post OP. |
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