Safescreen Home Test Kits

Both men and women can be affected by thrush. The infection is caused by Candida albicans. The SafeScreen Candida test will allow you to confirm or exclude the presence of Candida albicans discretely, allowing you to choose the correct treatment for the vaginal discharge, irritation, itching, or soreness associated with the genitals or urinary tract typical of thrush.

Symptoms of Candida or Thrush infection

Some people with the infection show no symptoms at all and so may be unaware they have thrush. In those who do exhibit symptoms, the following may be seen:

Women
• Redness, itching and soreness around the vagina or anus
• Unusual white discharge from the vagina that sometimes smells yeasty (the discharge can be thick or runny)
• Pain when passing urine
• Discomfort when having sex

Men
• Sensations of irritation, burning or soreness with red patches under the foreskin or on the tip of the penis
• A discharge under the foreskin (the discharge can be thick or runny)
• Difficulty in pulling back the foreskin
• Discomfort when passing urine

How do I Perform the Test?

As with all SafeScreen’s home test kits, everything you need to carry out and interpret a test is included with your order. The test for thrush can be performed discretely, in the privacy of your home by following the easy step by step instructions. Results are available in minutes rather than the days or weeks normally required to obtain laboratory results.

Testing for Candida infection is simplicity itself. A cotton wool swab is used to gently wipe the genital area. The swab is then placed in the test solution prior to testing.

All orders for SafeScreen tests received before 4.15pm are dispatched the same day. Your test kit will be delivered discretely in plain, unmarked package with no indication of the contents inside the box. Boxes are then posted inside a secure mail bag to ensure your complete privacy.

What causes Candida or Thrush infection?

Thrush is a fungal infection caused by candida albicans; a harmless yeast found naturally on your skin, mouth and gut. It is also present in the vagina. Normally, it is kept under control by bacteria present in your body. When it multiplies out of control, you get the symptoms associated with a Thrush infection.  If you test for Thrush using a Safescreens kit, you’ll be able to confirm that it is just a harmless (but unpleasant) case of Thrush and nothing more sinister. You can then get the appropriate to deal with it.

Your chances of developing thrush increase if you:

• Wear tight or synthetic clothing which prevents ventilation
• Take certain antibiotics
• Have uncontrolled diabetes, HIV or another illnesses that affects your immune system
• Use products that may cause irritation of the vagina, such as vaginal deodorant or too much perfumed bubble bath
• Are undergoing  chemotherapy
• Have sex with someone who has thrush.

Is Thrush an STD?
 
Although not usually thought of as a sexually transmitted disease, thrush can sometimes be passed on by vaginal, oral or anal sex, and possibly during foreplay or by sharing sex toys.

How do you treat thrush?

If you have tested positive to thrush, the treatment is simple. Thrush is usually treated with an anti-fungal cream, pessaries or a short course of pills (antibiotics). Some women find that complementary therapies, such as bathing the genital area with diluted tea tree oil gel or live plain yoghurt, help relieve the symptoms of vaginal thrush.

 
What can I do to prevent thrush?

There are some things that you can do to prevent thrush:

• Avoid wearing tight, restrictive or synthetic clothing
• Avoid perfumed soap, bubble bath, genital sprays and deodorants
• Make sure the vagina is well lubricated before sexual intercourse
• Women should wash and wipe the genital area from front to back

What if thrush keeps coming back?

For one in five women, a short course of antifungal medication does not work. Your GP may recommend you take a regular ‘maintenance dose’ of antifungal treatment such as fluconazole which is effective in preventing thrush from coming back. If you are prescribed an antibiotic for another condition, remind your doctor that you tend to get thrush and ask for some treatment for thrush at the same time.

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