It is better to Know

Tests for both men and women may include:

• examination of your genitals, mouth, anus, rectum, skin for signs of infection
• a urine sample
• a blood test
• swabs from the urethra (tube where you urinate) and any sores or blisters
• swabs from the throat and the rectum, although this is less common
• For women the tests might also include:
• taking swabs from the vagina and cervix (entrance to the womb)
• having an examination of your vagina

Confidentiality
All sexual health services are confidential. This means that your personal information, any information about your visit and the tests and treatments that you have will not be shared with anyone outside that service without your permission.

As STIs are easily passed on through sexual contact, if you have a positive diagnosis for an STI it is important your current and past sexual partners are notified so they can be tested and treated. This will reduce the risk of spreading and re-infection.

If you do not want to contact your previous partners yourself we can notify them on your behalf by sending out a contact slip that asks the person to go for a check up at their GP or local sexual health clinic, this will be a chargeable service. This will not give your details and will not necessarily say what the infection is that they may be at risk of having.

All tests are analysed locally in our onsite laboratory and the results may be available at your consultation. If not you will receive your results within a few days normally by telephone if that is suitable or you can organise to pop back to see us.