How does an STI test work? We often get this question how an STI test works. Below you can read the steps we take to test and treat you for STIs.
How does an STI test at OneDayClinic work?
How does an STI test go? After you have made the appointment there will be a confidential interview with the certified STI doctor. During this conversation a number of questions will be asked to assess your STI risk. Based on these risks, the doctor will give advice on which tests should be taken in your situation. Together with you, a decision will be made about which tests you eventually want to take.
What STIs can you have?
You will be asked a number of questions: whether you have had sex with men, women or both sexes and whether oral, anal or vaginal sex took place. This is asked because the STIs chlamydia and gonorrhea can occur in different locations in your body. Infections with these STIs, which are caused by bacteria, remain fairly localized and do not spread easily through your body or blood. You might have contracted chlamydia in your anus and not in your throat even though you had anal and oral sex. So how an STI test works depends in part on what symptoms you have and what you need to be tested for.
Do you have to take off your clothes for an STI test at OneDayClinic?
Physical examination is often not necessary. HIV, syphilis and hepatitis B and C are excluded through a blood test. Chlamydia and Gonorrhea are tested in men through urine and in women through a "self-swab" (or cotton swab). If oral and anal sex has taken place, this is ruled out via an anal swab or throat swab. You can do this yourself, or you can leave this to the doctor.
- Urinalysis
The test for chlamydia and gonorrhoea in men can be done with a urine sample. When you are infected, bacteria can be found in the urine in particular. In women, a self-swab is more reliable than a urine test.
- Blood test
Syphilis, hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV can be detected by blood tests.
- Selfswab smear
A smear test involves taking fluid from the vagina. This determines the presence of chlamydia and gonorrhoea. This does not hurt. Because chlamydia and gonorrhoea can be found at various locations (vaginal/canal/throat), extra swabs may have to be taken. The doctor will determine during the initial interview whether this is necessary.
Do you have any complaints that indicate an STI? Then don't wait and make an appointment for an STI examination.
What do you have to watch out for before an STI test?
When making the appointment, it is important to take the window phase into account. The window phase is the period between the sexual contact (possible moment of infection) and the ability of the test to detect the infection. For tests for chlamydia and gonorrhoea, we apply two weeks after sexual contact (on indication, this can sometimes be earlier). For HIV, syphilis, hepatitis B and C, we apply three months.
The man must not have been to the toilet for at least three hours or take morning urine.
When do I get the results of my STI test?
When you have an STI test, the urine, smear or blood will be tested in the laboratory. You will receive the results of the test within two working days and can be requested via our test results portal. Click here to directly view your test result.
The treatment of an STI at OneDayClinic
Chlamydia, gonorrhoea and syphilis can be treated with antibiotics. You can also go to the OneDayClinic for this treatment. HIV, however, is more difficult to treat. There are medications to suppress these STIs and their symptoms, but not to remove the viruses from the body. OneDayClinic will guide and refer you to a specialist in the hospital for further treatment.
Alerting your partner
If you have an STI, it is important that you warn your partner(s). Do not only warn your current partner, but also your ex-partners. They can also have the STI without showing any symptoms. They can pass it on to their partners unnoticed. By warning your partners, you prevent the STI from spreading further or that they have to deal with serious consequences because they did not receive treatment.
