PlaySafe with Randox Health

It’s better to be safe than sorry.

That’s what they say anyway, and lots of us live by this adage in many aspects of our lives. It’s why we get our car checked every year to make sure it’s safe. It’s why we check the smoke alarms in our homes. And why, at Randox Health, we advocate for regular health testing for everyone.

It’s like your annual dental checkup. Sometimes, you make an appointment because you’ve got a toothache. But often, it’s just that time of year again. Just because you aren’t aware of a cavity, doesn’t mean there isn’t one.

Similarly, getting yourself regularly screened for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) is essential to maintaining good sexual health. Many types of STD often present no symptoms, meaning you could be harboring an infection and have no idea. These infections are normally easy to manage, however, if left untreated, they can result in serious complications.

Just like a dentist uses X-rays to spot hidden cavities that aren’t visible to the naked eye, STD screenings help uncover infections that might not show any symptoms but could be lurking under the surface.

Cases of STDs are rising. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimate that over 1 million STDs are acquired every day and in the US in 2022, over 2.5 million STD cases were reported. To effectively reduce the transmission of these diseases, people need to know if they are infected.

This is why we’re proud to introduce the Randox Health PlaySafe kit – an at-home STD screening service. This kit provides straightforward screening for 9 common STDs to give you peace of mind and help protect you and your playmates without having to visit a clinic. Here, we’ll look at these common STDs in some more detail before we discuss why you should choose the PlaySafe Kit for your sexual health screening.

Common Types of STDs

Chlamydia Trachomatis

A bacterial parasite responsible for several STDs primarily nongonococcal urethritis in males and females and epididymitis in males. Commonly asymptomatic (particularly in women), if left untreated, these bacteria can cause severe infection in the cervix, urethra, or fallopian tubes. Additionally, this infection can cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), infertility, ectopic pregnancy, and is associated with an increased risk of ovarian cancer.¹

Neisseria Gonorrhoeae

These bacteria cause the common STD, gonorrhoea, which infects approximately 60 million people annually². Gonorrhoea may be asymptomatic; however, when symptoms do occur, they typically include pain when urinating and discharge from the vagina or penis. This infection can lead to more serious conditions such as PID, inflammation of the fallopian tubes and ectopic pregnancy².

Herpes (Simpex 1 & 2)

Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) types 1 and 2 are common STDs which can be spread through sexual contact, kissing, or sharing of personal items. Most cases of HSV show no symptoms or only mild symptoms. HSV-1 primarily spreads through oral contact and can cause painful blisters or sores in and around the mouth (colds sores). HSV-2 is spread by sexual contact and causes blisters and sores to develop around the genital area (genital warts).

Trichomonas Vaginalis

Trichomonas vaginalis is a parasite that causes trichomoniasis, the most common nonviral STD worldwide. Diagnosis is difficult since the symptoms of trichomoniasis mimic those of other STDs. Trichomoniasis is associated with many perinatal complications, male and female genitourinary tract infections, and an increased incidence of HIV transmission³.

Mycoplasma Hominis & Mycoplasma Genitalium

Mycoplasma Hominis (MH) is one of the emerging sexually transmitted bacterial pathogens capable of causing asymptomatic, long-term, and chronic infection in the genitourinary tract, which is considered a threat to community health. MH is associated with PID, urethritis and bacterial vaginosis. Untreated, this STD can lead to infertility in both men and women⁴.

Mycoplasma Genitalium is a sexually transmitted pathogen that can cause acute and chronic non-gonococcal urethritis (NGU) in men, cervicitis and pelvic inflammatory disease in women, and other clinical syndromes. Most people infected remain asymptomatic and have a clear infection without developing disease. However, prevalence rates are higher in patients attending sexual health clinics and in men with NGU⁵.

Ureaplasma Urealyticum

Ureaplasma urealyticum can cause various health problems, including infertility, non-gonococcal urethritis, prostatitis, urinary stones, gynaecological diseases, chronic lung disease in neonates, and retinopathy of prematurity. It is considered an opportunistic pathogen, meaning it can be found in health individuals as well as those with disease⁶.

Chancroid

Chancroid is a sexually transmitted disease caused by Haemophilus ducreyi that can cause painful genital ulcers and swelling of the lymph nodes. It can be difficult to diagnose because the bacteria is hard to detect⁷. It is commonly found in tropical countries and can have adverse effects on individuals, especially those with underlying immunosuppression due to HIV infection⁸.

Why get tested for STDs?

When it comes to staying healthy, knowing is half the battle. Getting screened for STDs is crucial, not just for your own health but for the health of your partner. Let’s break down why:

• Spot the Silent Ones: Many STDs don’t show any symptoms at first, which means you could be carrying an infection without even knowing it. Regular screening helps catch these silent invaders early, which can be key to getting the right treatment quickly.
• Prevent Nasty Surprises: By detecting STDs early, you can avoid some of the more severe complications they can cause down the road, such as infertility and other long-term health issues.
• Peace of Mind: Knowing your status gives you peace of mind and can make your relationships healthier and more straightforward. It’s all about playing it safe and ensuring everyone knows where they stand.

The Advantages of At-Home Testing for STDs

Now, let’s talk about why an at-home testing kit like the Randox Health PlaySafe Kit could be your best friend when it comes to STD testing:

• Privacy at your Convenience: You can do the test in the comfort of your own home, which means no awkward clinic visits and waiting in lines.
• Simple and Easy: The kit comes with clear instructions, making it straightforward to use. You collect the sample yourself and send it off for analysis with everything you need provided in the kit. Then, within 7 days of our laboratory receiving your sample, you’ll get your results.
• Confidential and Discreet: Everything is handled discreetly; from the moment you order your kit to receiving your results privately.

Ready to Take the Step?

Thinking it might be time to check your status? The Randox Health PlaySafe Kit is here to help. It’s a smart, simple way to screen for the 9 common STDs we’ve discussed without stepping foot outside your door. Why not grab a kit, and take control of your sexual health today? After all, it’s better to play it safe than to be sorry. The PlaySafe Kit is currently only offered in California and West Virginia, however, if you live elsewhere, we encourage you to register your interest on the webpage and we’ll get back to you as soon as this test is available in your state.

References

1. Zafer T. Chlamydia: Possible Mechanisms of the Long Term Complications. In: Chlamydia. Intech; 2012. doi:10.5772/31331

2. Hill SA, Masters TL, Wachter J. Gonorrhea – an evolving disease of the new millennium. Microbial Cell. 2016;3(9):371-389. doi:10.15698/mic2016.09.524

3. Petrin D, Delgaty K, Bhatt R, Garber G. Clinical and Microbiological Aspects of Trichomonas vaginalis. Clin Microbiol Rev. 1998;11(2):300-317. doi:10.1128/CMR.11.2.300

4. Moridi K, Hemmaty M, Azimian A, Fallah MH, Khaneghahi Abyaneh H, Ghazvini K. Epidemiology of genital infections caused by Mycoplasma hominis, M. genitalium and Ureaplasma urealyticum in Iran; a systematic review and meta-analysis study (2000–2019). BMC Public Health. 2020;20(1):1020. doi:10.1186/s12889-020-08962-5

5. Gnanadurai R, Fifer H. Mycoplasma genitalium: A Review. Microbiology (N Y). 2020;166(1):21-29. doi:10.1099/mic.0.000830

6. Kokkayil P, Dhawan B. Ureaplasma: Current perspectives. Indian J Med Microbiol. 2015;33(2):205-214. doi:10.4103/0255-0857.154850

7. Kemp M, Christensen JJ, Lautenschlager S, Vall-Mayans M, Moi H. European guideline for the management of chancroid, 2011. Int J STD AIDS. 2011;22(5):241-244. doi:10.1258/ijsa.2010.010432

8. Lewis DA. Chancroid: clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and management. Sex Transm Infect. 2003;79(1):68-71. doi:10.1136/sti.79.1.68