Testing, Treatment & Results

FAQ's

Yes, however we are operating slightly differently. Click below for information on how you can access of service during the pandemic:

www.sexualhealthwestsussex.nhs.uk/corona-virus/

You will need to speak to a clinician. Call our central booking line on 01903 285199 to make an appointment. During the appointment, the clinician will discuss your symptoms and decided the appropriate course of action. You may be asked to attend for a face to face appointment for testing and treatment. The clinician may also ask you to complete an online testing kit.

If you experiencing any of the following symptoms please make it known to the call centre operator:

Males: Genital pain, discharge, dysuria (pain passing urine), sores or blisters
Females: Genital pain, sores or blisters

Please click here to request an online testing pack:

Online STI testing

For more information on you symptoms, click on the following link:

STI information


Many people with STIs do not have 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.

For the residents of West Sussex, we have made it even easier to test for STIs. Click on the link below and order your home testing kit:

Online STI testing

If you are having difficulty completing the online testing form, a member of the team will be more than happy to help. Please call our health promotion team on 0800 0150 503

For the residents of West Sussex, we have made it even easier to test for STIs. Click on the link below and order your home testing kit:

Online STI testing

If you are having difficulty completing the online testing form, a member of the team will be more than happy to help. Please call our health promotion team on 0800 0150 503

Your test results will be sent to you via a text message. You will usually receive your results between 1 - 2 weeks after testing although some results can take longer.

If you have not received your results after 2 weeks, please complete a contact form by clicking on the following link

Contact us

In the subject field please write 'results' so we can easily identify your request.

Symptoms of a urine infection include discomfort on passing urine, going to the toilet more frequently, lower abdominal pain and blood in your urine. A urine infection is more common in females. Many uncomplicated urine infections will respond to drinking plenty of water but if your symptoms persist you should go to your GP, who will consider whether you require antibiotics. If you become feverish or feel unwell please see your GP/out of hours service as soon as possible.

We also recommend testing for STI’s particularly chlamydia and gonorrhoea which can present with similar symptoms. Click on the link below and order your home testing kit:

Online STI testing /

For more information on UTIs please click on the following link

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/urinary-tract-infections-utis/

www.nhs.uk/conditions/urinary-tract-infections-utis

If a partner has told you they have been diagnosed with a sexually transmitted infection, it is important that you get a test and treatment if needed.
Your options are dependent on the type of infection:
Chlamydia, Gonorrhoea, Syphilis, NSU or PID
Depending on the type and time of sexual contact you may be given appropriate treatment on attendance, which is usually a course of antibiotics.
You will also have a routine sexual health screen done.
HIV
If you have had sex with somebody in the last 72 hours who has recently tested positive for HIV, you should attend a sexual health clinic to discuss PEP (Post-exposure prophylaxis), which can prevent you developing the infection.
Further information on PEP
If you have had sex with somebody more than 72 hours ago who has recently tested positive for HIV, then you should have an HIV blood test 45 days following the last sexual encounter with that person.
Active Hepatitis B Infection
You should contact us at the first opportunity. You may be offered a vaccination to prevent you from developing the infection, or you may need to be tested depending on how long it has been since your last sexual contact with that partner.
Herpes simplex virus or Genital warts
Contacts of Herpes simplex virus or genital warts do not need treatment unless they develop symptoms themselves. If you are pregnant and a contact of Genital herpes you should discuss this with your midwife who may refer you to one of our doctors for further discussion. If you do not have symptoms and want to have a test for STIs you can order a Postal Kit here

If you have recieved a text message from our service advising you of a positive result, you will need to contact our central booking line on 01903 285199 to arrange treatment.

We will only be able to speak to you during operational hours. In the meantime, you may find this information useful

Please remember, you should abstain from any sexual contact until you have accessed treatment.

Telling your sexual partners is very important, as they may also have an infection and require treatment. This will be discussed with you when you make contact with the clinic.

The standard method of sending results is via text message, but other communication options can be discussed at the time of the appointment and dependent on circumstances. If you require a paper copy of your results this can be obtained from the trusts medical records department. Please click the following link for more information.

Accessing your health records

If you have been sexually assaulted, whether as an adult or a young person, it is important to remember that it wasn't your fault. Sexual violence is a crime, no matter who commits it or where it happens. Don't be afraid to get help.

Please read the information provided in the NHS choice link below. The page informs you of all the steps that you need to take after the incident has occurred and information of the correct services to contact.


NHS choices – Help after a rape and sexual assault.


Please also see The Saturn Centre SARC who offer free support and practical help to anyone in Sussex who has experienced sexual assault.

You are able to attend our clinics for testing and help following a sexual assault or rape.
If you have attended the SARC centre they will recommend STI testing 2 weeks after the assault but may also refer you urgently if you require additional care.
If you have not attended the SARC centre you should contact us urgently so that we can make an assessment and advise on the best course of action for testing and other treatment.

It is best to attend one of our hubs located in Chichester, Crawley & Worthing. Our hubs, have the facilities to provide higher level testing and have more resources available to help with your care.

If you have any concerns or questions then please call our central booking line on 01903 285199 or visit our contact us page and complete the form with your name, phone number, which part of the county you live in and a suitable time to contact you. We can then arrange for a Health Adviser from your local clinic to call you for a telephone consultation to discuss anything you wish to know.

Contact us

HIV PEP is available and free for people who feel that they have been at high risk of exposure to HIV for example unprotected anal sex between men when their HIV status is not known.

PEP is a course of anti HIV medication taken twice a day for 28 days in order to prevent the HIV virus entering the body’s blood cells. It is very important that PEP is taken as soon as possible after exposure and is usually not recommended beyond 72 hours after exposure. If you are not sure whether you need PEP please speak to one of our team so we can assess the risk and advise you further.

PEP is available from our Sexual Health clinics in Crawley, Chichester and Worthing during opening hours. Outside of these hours you should attend your local A&E department.

What is PrEP?

PrEP (HIV Pre-exposure Prophylaxis) is a medicine for HIV negative people, is taken before sex, so it is pre-exposure. Prophylaxis means to prevent infection – in this case HIV. It can reduce the risk of acquiring HIV when taken as instructed. 

PrEP is made up of two drugs, Tenofovir and Emtricitabine. These drugs are known as antiretroviral medicines and have been used as part of HIV treatment for many years. You may know this medicine by its brand name, Truvada, however there are generic forms of the drug with the same active ingredients.

Who would benefit from PrEP?

You could benefit from PrEP if you are considered to be at high risk of HIV. PrEP can be used as a way to reduce your risk of HIV if you are HIV negative and don’t always use condoms. 

PrEP is not a vaccine and only provides protection from HIV so long as you continue to take it as prescribed. It is important to remember that PrEP will not protect you from acquiring other STIs. This is an important advantage of using condoms.

Availability

PrEP is available and free in our clinics for people who are at risk of acquiring HIV through sexual exposure.  This is in line with the PrEP rollout by Public Health England that was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We are running appointments only clinics, so please check the list below then call us if you meet one or more of the conditions on 01903 285199

Being at risk of acquiring HIV means that you:

- Are a man who has sex with men and do not always use condoms for sex or intend not to use
condoms for anal sex
- Have recently needed post exposure prophylaxis for HIV following sexual exposure
- Had recent rectal sexually transmitted infection or syphilis.
- Have a sexual partner who is HIV positive and not established on treatment or not taking their medication regularly
- Have sex with people from countries with high incidence of HIV and do not always use condoms

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