The Better2Know Blog

One of the truly unfortunate things about STIs is that most people don’t experience any symptoms. Someone can have an STI for days, weeks, months, or even years, and not know it.

This is true of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) as well.

If you think you may have HIV, know someone who may have it, or want to learn more about this serious infection, then keep reading.

Hepatitis C is a dangerous sexually transmitted infection (STI) that can cause severe liver damage and even death if left untreated. Unfortunately, it has become an increasingly common disease in the Middle East, with millions of people being affected by it every year.

In this blog post, we will explore what Hepatitis C is, how it is contracted, what treatments are available for those infected by it, and any prevention methods.

Do you ever worry that kissing someone could put your health at risk? When it comes to the sexually transmitted infection (STI) Gonorrhoea, there is a common misconception that it can be transferred through casual contact such as kissing.

Imagine you’re speaking with a close friend, perhaps as you normally would, and they reveal that they may have a sexually transmitted infection (STI). Then they tell you they won’t get tested.

This situation is much more common than you may think.

Sexually Transmitted Infections are more prevalent than you think. While many people don’t believe they have an STI, having no symptoms is extremely common. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that almost one million new STIs are contracted daily. Unfortunately, many scientists believe that asymptomatic STIs, without symptoms, are a silent epidemic. But there are steps we can all take to educate ourselves and prevent the transmission of asymptomatic STIs.

Is sexual contact with a virgin “safe” when it comes to preventing sexually transmitted diseases? The answer is “no,” it’s possible to get an STD —even if you are both virgins.

A person may consider themself a virgin if they have never had penetrative sex. However, they may have had sexual contact that could put them at risk for having an STD, including skin-to-skin sexual contact or oral sex. Both of these types of sexual contact carry the risk of STD transmission.

Let’s talk about STDs and how they are transmitted from one person to another.

Better2Know is a recognised leader in the field of private sexual health testing services. We offer confidential STI and HIV testing in different locations worldwide including in the Middle East. As the world’s largest provider of STI testing, we are committed to ensuring that our business has a minimal impact on the environment and on the people around us. Our ethos of care drives this commitment to environmental sustainability.

To demonstrate our dedication to sustainability, we are proud to say that we are now carbon neutral. We have worked in conjunction with a leading environmental consultancy agency to achieve international accreditation for carbon neutrality. This accreditation means that we have quantified and offset all direct greenhouse gas emissions from our operations throughout the Middle East.

Sometimes referred to as “The Clap,” gonorrhoea is a serious STI that is caused by a specific type of bacteria called gonococcus. Although it is one of four STIs that are currently curable, gonorrhoea can still wreak havoc on your health, and no one is immune.

Whether for work, family, or fun, traveling to Africa is an incredible experience. As you plan for your journey, however, you may have some questions and concerns. For example, could this trip put you at risk of contracting HIV? How can you stay safe? Arming yourself with the facts is the best way to protect your health. 

Everyone knows how important it is to visit the doctor regularly. Even so, many people are not entirely honest with their physicians. Why? In some cases, an individual may be embarrassed by a specific problem. In other scenarios, a patient may not even realize that they’re holding back vital information. This is your reminder that sharing everything with your doctor is in the best interest of your health and happiness. Here’s a closer look at seven things that you should always discuss with your medical provider – even if they make you feel uncomfortable.

If sex is the primal driving force of life’s creation, it is only fitting to consider the benefits of sex throughout the later years of ageing. According to the National Institute on Ageing, there are just as many older couples finding greater satisfaction in their sex lives as when they were younger.  Just as physical touch and intimacy are important factors for health and regulating the nervous system, sex plays a critical role in a person’s longevity as life progresses.

Herpes is one of the most dreaded viruses in the world, and for good reason. Even though a herpes infection is rarely life-threatening, it can lead to shame and put your loved ones at risk. However, the more you know about the virus, the better you’ll be able to avoid an infection – or manage one and still live a full life. Here are seven facts about herpes that can help to demystify this misunderstood disease.

Over the last four years, Better2Know has noticed a concerning rise in the rates of syphilis transmission. Testing has shown a threefold increase in positive syphilis cases within our communities. This increase in positive results is a deeply worrying trend, especially since most cases of syphilis are initially asymptomatic. It’s important to get tested so you can receive the proper treatment you need and avoid spreading it to your partner.

Many people are surprised to learn that you can catch the same STI twice. Some of the most common STIs that can be caught more than once are chlamydia, gonorrhoea, and syphilis.

Yes, You Can Contract Chlamydia Even if You Have Had It Before

But don’t let that scare you! By the time that you get to the end of this article, you’ll know exactly what you need to do in order to protect yourself from contracting chlamydia twice.

Here is what you need to know about STI reinfections and how you can find out if you’re infected.

Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted disease known to cause serious health complications for men and women if left untreated. Many people are unaware of how severe a chlamydia infection can become. This is partially due to the fact that most people have never heard of it. Fortunately, chlamydia is very easy to treat if it is diagnosed early.

Following are some common questions and concerns pertaining to this common yet treatable sexually transmitted disease.

While many people may have heard of tantric sex there is still a cloud of mystery surrounding its roots as well as what benefits it may offer those who practice it. Tantric sex allows people to explore their sexuality in a deeper, more meaningful way than casual sex allows them to do. Following is some useful information on how to get started on your path towards a more fulfilling love life through the use of tantric sex.

Sex is a powerful bond that intimately connects two people. One way to make sex even better is to talk about it. Having meaningful conversations about sex can be difficult since it can be an uncomfortable topic to discuss. But like all aspects of a healthy relationship, communication is key. Discussing sex can make sex better, improve sexual health, and create a stronger bond with the person you love.

Many people assume that sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can only be transmitted through sexual intercourse. However, having sexual intercourse is not the only way to catch an STD or a STI. There are many ways you can become infected with an STI without ever having sex in the first place. It’s important to know your STI status for several reasons.

While people may think it’s impossible to catch an STI without having sex, this is not entirely true. An STI can be transmitted through any kind of skin-to-skin contact where any amount of bodily fluid is present. Any kind of activity that involves exposure to body fluids could result in the transmission of an STD. This can come from a kiss on the lips (herpes) to foreplay that does not involve actual penetration.

Here are five other common ways to catch an STI without having sex.

Whether it’s due to the prioritization of one’s health and fitness, there’s been an apparent shift in perspective regarding sexual activity and its benefits surrounding weight loss and muscle building…

Funny enough, while sex is traditionally an intimate act aimed at one purpose which is to conceive, it’s now being used as a means of fitness, and rightfully so! With that said, while there’s certainly merit behind sex and its many physical benefits, it should never take priority over the intimacy that comes with it.

According to the World Health Organization, over one million sexually transmitted infections and diseases are acquired every day throughout the world. Chlamydia is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections. It is caused by a bacteria named chlamydia trachomatis, which is spread by having oral, vaginal, or anal sex with a man or woman who is already infected.

While great sex is defined differently by everyone, and although sex doesn’t discriminate, participated in by people of all ages, shapes, and sizes, there’s no doubt that being fit and in shape improves the overall quality of sexual experiences.

In fact, there’s research to suggest just that!

If you’re looking for ways to improve your sex life, you’ve come to the right place. In what follows, we’ll be sharing five of our best tips for keeping yourself fit for sex.

Without further ado, let’s jump right into it…

You can test for herpes in three different ways: a blood test, a urine test, and/ or a swab test.  The right test for you will depend on:

• whether you have any symptoms at the time of your test
• how long ago you think you might have been exposed
• where you think you have herpes
• your personal preferences

Whilst the Internet is handy for many reasons, using social media to obtain health advice is unfortunately not one of them. With an increasing number of people turning to the Internet hoping to gain an explanation for their health problems, it is important to make sure that your source is reliable. If not, this can lead to a false diagnosis and incorrect medication, among many other risks. All information published by Better2Know is reviewed by our highly qualified team of medical experts, so if you are looking for STI advice, you’re in the right place.

World Ovarian Cancer Day is a global awareness day established in 2013 and is supported by almost 200 organisations around the world.  It was created to raise awareness and solidarity in the fight against ovarian cancer. 

Here we give you an understanding about what HPV (Human Papillomavirus) and Genital Warts are and discuss the different strains of HPV. We examine the symptoms and how it can be contracted. We will also recommend the best testing options and compare HPV statistics in the Middle East with other regions.

Better2Know understands how important sexual health is to both your physical and mental well-being.  Many STIs show no symptoms in the early stages of infection, so it is important to get tested regularly. This helps to keep you healthy and prevents the spread of infection to your new partner.

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) which can lead to life-threatening consequences if left untreated. Syphilis progresses in three prominent stages: primary, secondary and tertiary. A Syphilis infection can be easily cured and treated in the earlier stages, so it’s important to understand which symptoms to look out for before the infection is able to cause permanent damage.

According to a report by UAE based newspaper, the Khaleej Times, the Middle East has one of the fastest growing HIV epidemics in the world. The article included figures from a 2013 UNAIDS study, which estimated that the total number of HIV positive people in the UAE alone was 230,000 at the time of the study.

Cultural changes, travelling, and altering religious values were listed as potential reasons for the heightened risk of HIV. Along with Sharjah, the majority of the UAE’s positive HIV cases were found in Dubai, reflecting the emirate’s large, multicultural population, “possibly higher levels of risk behaviours” and, potentially, “more exposure to the high-risk phenomena associated with HIV.”

Whatever is behind this developing trend there is reason to be cautious, and testing is the only way to be certain of your HIV status. If you have concerns about HIV, or are simply unsure, keep yourself and your partner safe by getting tested at your earliest convenience.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) released their latest report into the Herpes simplex virus in February 2022.  The report contained key facts, statistics and information while also outlining the WHO response to herpes (HSV-1 and HSV-2).   Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 (HSV-I) and Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2 (HSV-II) are two types of the Herpes Simplex Virus.

Hepatitis is a viral infection which affects the liver. There are many different strains of Hepatitis. Some infections will only last for a short period of time, whilst others can become chronic and lead to serious health problems. Here we explain the main differences between Hepatitis A, B and C, and why it is important to be tested for each.