Welcome to another dose of Better2Know’s patients.
At Better2 we know, we believe that the exchange of personal experiences can help to break the stigma that many people feel about being tested for STDs. We have gathered stories from people who have been tested to inspire and encourage others to take this important step for their sexual health.
Some names and details in these stories have been amended for privacy.
~
“I never thought I would be okay to talk about it. At least, I guess. I don’t know.”
When we first talked to Snezana about a video call, it seemed slightly uncomfortable, hesitant, ready to close the laptop and turn the sofa with her phone. Instead, it ceases and continues, taking a deep breath and leaving a great Huff.
‘I guess you will ask me a lot questions. Let’s continue with that. ”
Your sexual health is important. Take care by holding a test in a clinic near you today.
Snezana is 26 years old and works for an energy company in Inverness. In the video, her curly hair has been pulled back to a tight ponytail, wearing a fleece that seems to be over twenty years old. It tightens aggressively from a large cup of tea in the shape and color of a wooden barrel, and when it puts it down, it carefully puts it so that it does not make too much noise.
The Snezana family moved to the United Kingdom from Lithuania in 2005 and settled in Scotland. When he was 18, he went to the University in Rouen, France, in an exchange program for the study of engineering. It is fully expected to spend the rest of her training there.
“I remember thinking that in the summer, this will be a great time. I’ll finish my degree. Maybe I will stay in France. I will move to Paris.
But its last year was 2020.
“Everything that came out of the window,” he said.
When Covid struck, Snezana had to return home and continue her online studies, which was very frustrating for her. She graduated from her program and had to be sent to her degree.
“My mother really wanted to see me on stage take it. I think he wanted to get it more than I did.”
During the second lock, Snezana had a problem finding a job. Tensions at her home ran high due to isolation and tried to find any excuse to escape.
Fortunately, during the lock, he reconnected with a friend from the Inverness Gymnasium over Facebook, a young man who called Magnus. After dozens of WhatsApp messages and some zoom calls, they decided to break the rules of Covid Bubble and meet a local park. Since then, Snezana and Magnus rendezvoused twice a week for almost a month until Magnus reports to the police from his brother.
Magnus and Snezana were still in touch, but the guilt of violating the rules that brought them.
“But I think it was just the situation. Covid, everyone was worried about getting sick. I saw an online advertisement for testing and making me wonder. I had no reason to think I had anything, but I thought why not?”
“I thought it was too much to think about, too much to deal with. Then we caught so, yes, it’s not ideal.”
When we asked if something had happened during their meetings, Snezana was a Cagey and didn’t go into details.
“But I think it was just the situation. Covid, everyone was worried about getting sick. I saw an online advertisement for testing and making me wonder. I had no reason to think I had anything, but I thought why not?”
Snezana said that if it were to be tested, she wanted to go all inside. Bought from a private provider who will try for almost twelve different conditions.
“Better safe than apologies. I wanted to make sure. “
Snezana ordered a home test kit via the post, but when it arrived, it had some problems.
“I have Renaud’s syndrome. It is where the blood does not flow easily in your hands. Especially when you are cold and I remember it was very cold when I got the hair dryer, but it just didn’t work.
Fortunately, the locks raised in the United Kingdom in late summer 2021, and when they did, Snezana felt more comfortable holding a Sti test at a local clinic.
“It was just easier. I went in and they did everything for me. The nurse took my blood sample and I also got a hit.
The test returned positively for an infection by Urrsa. Fortunately, he didn’t have to take any medicine – just some lifestyle changes.
“My doctor told me to eat more yogurt and shower more often. That was a bit annoying. But it worked. It went away after a few weeks.”
Although she had no serious infection, Snezana was happy to be tested.
“I was happy that it wasn’t something I got when I saw Magnus, or maybe it was.
When asked what he would say to other people who are thinking of being tested, Snezana was unfaithful:
“There are so many options and ways to do it now that there is no really excuse. For me, if you can try and do not, you are just a crazy man.
Don’t leave it to luck. Close a test in a sexual health clinic near you.
