STI test info

LegacyUser

Hi,

I'm looking to get an STI test done. I'm a 23 year old male and have never had one so I think I should, purely for peace of mind.

First of all, how do I go about it ? Second of all, whats involved ?

I dont think I want to be tested for HIV as Its pretty damn unlikely I have that! So does that rule out a blood test ? Is this optional ?

Thanks in advance.

dudara

Read the sticky at the top of this forum on "STI clinics in Ireland".

Essentially you have two options - public or private. Both are covered in the thread.

LegacyUser

dudara wrote: »

Read the sticky at the top of this forum on "STI clinics in Ireland".

Essentially you have two options - public or private. Both are covered in the thread.

Is that information now outdated ? That thread is also a pretty long read. Hopefully yea will leave this one open so I may get specific advice ?

Thanks.

bored and tired

theres an sti sticky at the top of this forum that will have loads more info, but an sti test is a simple affair, you can ask any gp for the number of the sti clinic in your local hospital, ring them up and get an appointment,

waiting list will depend on what area of the country you are in, you could also go private, but im not sure of the cost of that and hospital is free if that is a consideration for you.

you go in have a conversation about sexual past and contacts with a nurse, she then draws some blood and another doc will come in and swipe your japs eye with cotton bud of some description, you then are asked to provide urine sample and thats about it, quick and relatively painless, wait for results,

they are confidential and if you did have anything they would a) provide treatment and b) ask if you wanted them to anonymously contact any ex's to advise them that they had been incontact with a client who tested positive for say chlamydia,

thats about the long and short, not sure on hiv issue, but as its all been done better to be completely sure than relying on pretty damn unlikely.

girl2

Firstly, why do you want to get checked? Are you worried about something?

The tests are pretty simple, just a moment or two of discomfort if anything. The usual overall check will require you to have a blood test which will check for HIV and syphilis. If you dont have the blood test they will tell you that you have not had a full screen. But I dont think there's any obligation to do so.

LegacyUser

girl2 wrote: »

Firstly, why do you want to get checked? Are you worried about something?

The tests are pretty simple, just a moment or two of discomfort if anything. The usual overall check will require you to have a blood test which will check for HIV and syphilis. If you dont have the blood test they will tell you that you have not had a full screen. But I dont think there's any obligation to do so.

I am worried about something actually. I have three TINY bumps on the head of my penis. You would miss them if you werent looking...and even in that case you might not even see them.

My fear is that it might be HPV. Hopefully not but its better to get it checked out than to worry.

Would I be right in saying that they can diagnosis something like that by looking at it ? As far as I know you cant actually get tested for HPV so blood/urine tests are no good.

girl2

Yes, you are better to go and get checked if you think that you have HPV. I am assuming you may think these are genital warts? They will know by looking at them and like you say I am not aware of any tests that can be done to confirm this. The warts in their own right are the only clear indication of this. As far as I know there are little lumps that men can get as well that can commonly be mistaken for warts, they are called papules (I think!).

Youre better off getting checked straight away regardless (especially if youre sexually active). Plus the fact that they can spead if untreated. And if it does turn out that you do have them, you can get treatment for them. Its no cure, but you will need to inform any sexual partners and always practice safe sex.

Hope it works out ok for you.

whose-law-anywa

if you want to get in and out quick go private but it`ll cost you. Other wise go to St james Street and que up at 8.00 in morning, i think its a friday or maby thursday. Anyway there will be 100`s of people there so you wont feel like a criminal and make sure when you get to say your piece to who ever you say "yes im sure i have something, you have had sex before you came here, never wear condoms and have many partners" Then they wil see you that day. If you are unsure if there is anything actuall wrong or claim your are not active at the moment you may be told come back.

MagicMarker

Yeah, you could go public, queue up and wait weeks for the results...

Or go private, pay a few hundred euro and have the results within the week.

Marksie

The sticky has summary pages. If its too mucheffort, tap in sti clinics on google.ie that will give you a list of clinincs.