STI Check up with a GP

LegacyUser

Hey lads,

Hope everyone is well. Just curious about this. If I went into the doctors and asked to be checked regarding STI's ( from bloods to swabs - The whole works!) would he be able to carry out the exam there and then without any advanced warning or would I be better off to just go to a GUM clinic? It may sound a bit odd but I'd nearly rather go to the GP just for personal reasons. So I guess my question is going to the GP a viable option and has anyone had experiences getting the tests done with their GP?

Thanks lads!

Big Bag of Chips

Why don't you ring your GP and ask? You can ask the receptionist to get the GP to ring you back, you don't have to tell her why if you'd rather not.

Edit:in my GP surgery, the nurse usually does the blood tests and she's only there certain days. The doctors can do them but you usually have to give them a 'heads up' that you're going in for bloods.

username123

unreg12345678 wrote: »

Hey lads,

Hope everyone is well. Just curious about this. If I went into the doctors and asked to be checked regarding STI's ( from bloods to swabs - The whole works!) would he be able to carry out the exam there and then without any advanced warning or would I be better off to just go to a GUM clinic? It may sound a bit odd but I'd nearly rather go to the GP just for personal reasons. So I guess my question is going to the GP a viable option and has anyone had experiences getting the tests done with their GP?

Thanks lads!

Yes. Most GPs now have a specially priced option of Sexual Health Testing - my last one used to charge 100 for it and she would use a different name on the tests if you wished when sending for lab analysis.

MissFlitworth

My GP only does bloods on particular days of the week so it would be worth asking when you're making your appointment if they can do everything on the one day or if you'll have to come back

LegacyUser

OP here again, thanks everyone! I'll give the GP a ring Thanks again, much appreciated!

Could you check with your local hospital to see whether they have an STi clinic? I got one through the one in Galway and it was completely for free. It's worth checking into. Might be worth looking at this thread here too

Uriel.

OP,

I would recommend not doing this through your own GP, especially if you have any specific concerns.

Firstly, in more general terms, getting STI testing and the subsequent results will be placed on your medical record with the GP. This may cause future problems (even if you test negative) for you in regards to some jobs and particularly health insurance and possible mortgage assurance/illness cover etc...

Going to a GUM clinic you can be tested anonymously and not have this as part of your medical records.

Secondly, if you a specific concern (such as symptoms), then in the even that something is wrong you are more likely to get a better diagnosis and treatment from STI specialists (Doctors in the GUM clinics are specialists, GPs usually aren't). I have seen and heard many cases of GPs giving people the run around on diagnosis and treatments because they just aren't up to speed on these issues.

Hope that helps.

PS. there's an expansive sticky at the top of the page which should be extremely useful to you

MrCreosote

Uriel. wrote: »

OP,

I would recommend not doing this through your own GP, especially if you have any specific concerns.

Firstly, in more general terms, getting STI testing and the subsequent results will be placed on your medical record with the GP. This may cause future problems (even if you test negative) for you in regards to some jobs and particularly health insurance and possible mortgage assurance/illness cover etc...

Going to a GUM clinic you can be tested anonymously and not have this as part of your medical records.

So what you're saying is that you should get tested under a different name and then lie on job or health insurance applications. Nice.

username123

Uriel. wrote: »

Firstly, in more general terms, getting STI testing and the subsequent results will be placed on your medical record with the GP. This may cause future problems (even if you test negative) for you in regards to some jobs and particularly health insurance and possible mortgage assurance/illness cover etc...

Although this is a particularly virulent rumour, Ive never actually come across a question on a health insurance policy or mortgage assurance/illness cover policy that asks anything in relation to sexual health testing?

My old GP used to offer to do the tests off record under a false name - but not because she thought the above was true, but because people felt better about it if it was done that way.

Ive yet to come across it outside of rumour personally.

Uriel.

MrCreosote wrote: »

So what you're saying is that you should get tested under a different name and then lie on job or health insurance applications. Nice.

No I am not. So don't put words in my mouth. :rolleyes: One could do that if they wished. I am not recommending that.

I have been through the application process for two jobs in the past where access to my GP medical records were required. In both circumstances I was not asked about STI tests but if I had have got tested through a GP they would have shown up on the medical records.

I am merely providing information to people about potential areas of concern. How people handle that information or what they do with it is up to them but they should at least have as much information available to them as possible to make an informed decision

Uriel.

username123 wrote: »

Although this is a particularly virulent rumour, Ive never actually come across a question on a health insurance policy or mortgage assurance/illness cover policy that asks anything in relation to sexual health testing?

My old GP used to offer to do the tests off record under a false name - but not because she thought the above was true, but because people felt better about it if it was done that way.

Ive yet to come across it outside of rumour personally.

On my mortgage insurance application a few years ago it asked if I had ever tested positive for HIV. It separately asked if I ever tested positive for syphilis or hepatitis B, C.

Obviously, the wording of that question is different (and the difference is important). i.e. if I had ever had STI testing done, but was negative, I wouldn't be telling lies by saying no. But If the question ommitted the word "positive" and I had STI testing done then it's a different matter.

Also, I must mention that, on the same application form, I had to provide my GP's details and there was a disclaimer saying that if further checking was required, access to my medical records may be requested. If I had STI tests done via my GP they would possibly show up during those additional checks (not entirely sure of the law on this matter and whether it would mean blanket access to my records or just in relation to a specific concern) - whether they'd have an impact on my application is another matter.

In addition, I know two people who have been asked if they ever tested for STIs on job applications forms and the nature of the testing. Both however, referred to jobs in other EU countries though and both were jobs in the medical field if I remember correctly.

username123

Uriel. wrote: »

On my mortgage insurance application a few years ago

Do you mind if I ask who your mortgage is with? I had no such line of questioning nor did they want access to my GP or medical records - Im not sure I would have gone ahead with an application that wanted such an amount of access to my private life tbh.

There may have been the standard 'have you tested positive for HIV' - which is a totally different matter than asking has someone had sexual health testing at all.

Its odd that it is somehow viewed in a negative manner, when in fact getting tested is the responsible thing to do!

Uriel.

username123 wrote: »

Do you mind if I ask who your mortgage is with? I had no such line of questioning nor did they want access to my GP or medical records - Im not sure I would have gone ahead with an application that wanted such an amount of access to my private life tbh.

There may have been the standard 'have you tested positive for HIV' - which is a totally different matter than asking has someone had sexual health testing at all.

Its odd that it is somehow viewed in a negative manner, when in fact getting tested is the responsible thing to do!

It wasn't the bank asking the questions - i got my mortgage assurance separately to the bank - I think it is "first direct" I'd need to double check that - part of IL&P I think. I can check later and confirm though if you like.

Yeah exactly, I mean I can understand them asking if you have ever tested positive for HEP/HIV etc... (which is what was asked on my form) but asking if you ever have tested (full stop).

The reason that I've been told from a health insurance/mortgage assurance point of view is on the basis of risk assessment. They think that being tested shows that you display risky behaviour and therefore you are a riskier customer (higher premium etc...)

username123

Dont go to any trouble, its just the first time Ive actually heard of it (outside of job applications in the medical profession which I had actually heard about but forgotten until you mentioned it).

So looks like fake name is the way forward!

Uriel.

username123 wrote: »

Dont go to any trouble, its just the first time Ive actually heard of it (outside of job applications in the medical profession which I had actually heard about but forgotten until you mentioned it).

So looks like fake name is the way forward!

Generally, It's not something I would particularly want stamped all over my medical record to be honest anyway. I can't think of a particular situation in my head, but what if in 25 years from now, a family member or close friend had to manage access to your medical records (as a nominated person) e.g. due to you being able to act for yourself or something (as I say I can't think of a particular reason why/how this would happen, but you never know) - might not be something you'd want them to see (particularly if you had specific concerns for testing and the doctor notes those).

As original post mentioned though, I think it's best of just going to a GUM clinic anyway - it's usually not much more expensive (and is free if you go public) - and if there is something wrong or you have a very specific concern/risk factor, you are being dealt with directly by a specialist in the area.

MrCreosote

Uriel. wrote: »

But If the question ommitted the word "positive" and I had STI testing done then it's a different matter.

If the word "positive" was omitted it's a totally different question- i.e. one you were never asked. So why are you suggesting it's asked commonly?

Uriel. wrote: »

Yeah exactly, I mean I can understand them asking if you have ever tested positive for HEP/HIV etc... (which is what was asked on my form) but asking if you ever have tested (full stop).

The reason that I've been told from a health insurance/mortgage assurance point of view is on the basis of risk assessment. They think that being tested shows that you display risky behaviour and therefore you are a riskier customer (higher premium etc...)

But they never asked this! And if they did ask if you'd ever been tested, and you said know, then you would be lying on the application.

It's not going to be a problem in the future- Hep B and HIV are on the routine tests for pregnant women in most countries, so a majority of the population will have been "tested for STIs" at some stage.

As for work asking for free access to your medical records?! The mind boggles...

Ickle Magoo

unreg12345678 wrote: »

OP here again, thanks everyone! I'll give the GP a ring Thanks again, much appreciated!

As you have reached resolution I'll lock the thread - there is a dedicated thread re STI clinics HERE which you might find useful too.

All the very best.

Folks,

This is an advice forum - if you have nothing in the way of civil, mature and constructive advice to offer the OP, kindly refrain from posting.

If you have an issue with a post or poster then use the report function and let the mods deal with it rather than dragging the thread off topic.

If you haven’t done so already, please take the time to read the [URL=" http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056181484"]forum rules[/URL] in the charter.

Many thanks.