A number of sexually transmitted diseases have made a splash in the public consciousness, among them HIV, herpes, chlamydia and gonorrhea. But less-known diseases such as trichomoniasis and syphilis are very much issues as well, even though we’re not well-enough educated about them as a society. This is a problem, since lack of awareness is the biggest contributor to spreading disease today.

Hepatitis C is one such disease. We associate it with needle users and blood transfusion patients, but it is actually an STD as well, in that two people with blood-to-blood contact during sex can exchange the disease. It’s critical to understand the dangers of hep C as well as what to do about it, so you can protect yourself, your children, your partners and the rest of the population.

What Is Hepatitis C?

“Hepatitis C is an infection caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV) that causes inflammation of the liver,” says Healthline. “The illness can be mild or it can become chronic. Hepatitis C can be successfully treated with antiviral medications, but chronic hepatitis C can severely damage the liver over time. Currently, there’s no vaccination for hepatitis C.” (1)

Hep C is a bloodborne disease, which means that it cannot pass through hand-holding, kissing or sexual activity unless there is blood present. However, other STDs – such as herpes or chlamydia, which can cause sores and open wounds, and therefore bloody patches – can make it more likely that you’ll pass on or receive hep C.

Unfortunately, adds Healthline, “It’s possible to have HCV and not know it. According to the CDC, 70 to 80 percentTrusted Source of people with acute HCV don’t show symptoms. You can be infected for years before the first symptoms appear, or you can begin to show symptoms between one and three months after infection.” (2)

That makes it critical that you avoid getting hepatitis C in the first place, or at least combat the disease as quickly as possible.

How Can You Avoid Getting Hep C?

The best ways to avoid hep C include:

  • Not sharing needles for intravenous drug use
  • Getting tested before having unprotected sex, and avoiding unprotected sex with untested partners
  • Avoiding multiple partners
  • Having sex only when sober
  • Never having sex with a partner who has open sores

Even this isn’t enough though. Testing is critical.

Why Should You Get Tested?

There exist a huge number of reasons that you should test, including protecting yourself and your future partners (and their partners) from diseases that, in some case, have devastating consequences and even cause death. According to Rush University Medical Center (3):

  1. More than 25 different diseases are transmitted through sexual contact
  2. STDs among older adults continues to rise, as adults go through breakups and divorces and enter sexually active periods with multiple partners
  3. Some STDs, such as chlamydia and gonorrhea, can dramatically impact fertility and even cause sterility
  4. Condoms don’t provide 100 percent protection against herpes, the most common sexually transmitted disease
  5. Herpes typically results in mild, if any, symptoms, making it quite easy to pass on (and get diseases such as hepatitis C)
  6. STDs can spread through any sexual activity, not just intercourse, and can even infect the mouth, throat and eyes

Because of this, it’s critical to test for at least the top seven STDs, including chlamydia, gonorrhea, hepatitis B and C, herpes, HIV and syphilis. If you can find a kit that tests for other STDs, such as human papillomavirus (HPV), so much the better.

The good news is, whether you’re concerned only about hepatitis C or think you may have been exposed to other diseases as well – or just want to play it safe – there are better than ever options for testing today.

What Is a Test Kit?

One of the reasons so many people avoid getting tested is that they’re afraid or embarrassed to make an appointment with a physician or clinic. This reluctance has serious repercussions, resulting in a mere 12 percent of people getting tested annually, according to recent statistics. (4)

This despite the fact that “The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that nearly 20 million new STIs occur every year in this country, half of those among young people aged 15–24.” And that’s just one age group, all the more shocking for the fact that other age groups are on the rise and underreporting continues to plague the medical community. (5)

Luckily, there is a solution now that can help to counteract this reluctance. Presuming the main issue is a desire to maintain privacy, a home test kit is the perfect answer. You can now test yourself in the comfort and privacy of your own home, without having to call a doctor, tell a partner before you’re ready or alert your insurance company.

How Does the Test Kit Work?

It’s quite simple to test yourself at home. All you have to do is buy the iDNA kit, after which it will be mailed to your door in a small, discreet, unmarked package. Follow the directions to collect the sample, mail it off to the cutting-edge and certified lab, then register and wait for your results. We work 7 days a week to test samples and deliver results as quickly as possible.

The best part is, as soon as you’re registered, you can use iDNA test kits regularly without extra work. All you have to do is order your kit once a year (or more often if you have concern about your sexual health), supply a sample and wait for results. If you get a positive, only then do you make an appointment with a doctor for next steps.

Along the way, we’re happy to answer any questions you may have with a knowledgeable in-house customer service team.

How Can You Get a Kit?

Acquiring a kit is super simple as well. Just order it online, and let us know if you want the payment to appear under a discreet heading. We offer the lowest prices and the most accurate results on the market, which is why we’ve been featured in several publications and have so many devoted customers who use us regularly.

Have questions? Simply get in touch with us today. It’s time to protect yourself and do your part to limit the spread of STDs across the country and globe. Get started now!

References:

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by AtHomeSTDKit

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