Sexually Transmitted Infections
A sexually transmitted infection (STI) can be passed from one person to another through sexual contact, including vaginal, anal and oral sex. You can get or pass on an STI from whoever you’re having sex with. STIs can pass between men and women, and from women to women and men to men.
Many people with STIs don’t get symptoms, so it’s worth getting tested even if you feel fine. Many STIs can be cured with antibiotics. Some, such as HIV, have no cure, but can be treated to prevent them getting worse. It is important to get tested regularly for not only your own health and wellbeing, but also your partners.
Why test?
Many people with STIs don’t get symptoms, so it’s worth getting tested even if you feel fine. Many STIs can be cured with antibiotics. Some, such as HIV, have no cure, but can be treated to prevent them getting worse. It is important to get tested regularly for not only your own health and wellbeing, but also your partners.
How frequently should I test?
The current recommendation is that heterosexual individuals test annually and between new partners. Men who have sex with men should test every 3 months if they are having more then one partner. Click here for more information for men who have sex with men.
How do you test for STI’s?
Tests usually include a urine specimen for men, a self-taken vaginal swab for women, plus an recommended but optional blood test for HIV and syphilis. The doctor/nurse may recommend additional tests depending upon your symptoms or risk.
You may be advised to repeat testing after a few weeks as STI tests may not pick up an infection immediately. To rule out an infection we recommend testing at 2 weeks after exposure for chlamydia/gonorrhoea, 4 weeks for HIV and 12 weeks for syphilis.
Getting tested
You can be tested for STIs at our clinics. Please visit our clinics page and find the one nearest to you. Some of our clinics provided limited testing, if you have symptoms or would like a full screening, please attend one of our hub clinics in either Chichester, Crawley or Worthing.