Sexual Health 101 offers testing for Chlamydia, Gonorrhoea, HIV and Syphilis.

It is strongly advised that you visit a doctor if you have symptoms, or are a contact of a person with an infection, as additional tests and treatment may be recommended.

You can test at any time, but if you test too soon after a risky episode, it might be too early for the test to pick up an infection.

It can take up to 2 weeks after infection for a test to become positive for Chlamydia or Gonorrhoea.  It may take up to 3 months for HIV or Syphilis to show up in a blood test after becoming infected (often sooner).

It is strongly advised that you visit a doctor if you have symptoms, or are a contact of a person with an infection, as additional tests and treatment may be recommended.

You will be sent a pack containing instructions, sample request forms, swab(s) and/or urine collection container. This will be sent in discreet packaging to the address you have provided.

The cost of a testing package which includes testing for Chlamydia, Gonorrhoea, HIV and Syphilis is $85 (including postage).

You have the following options:

– Visit a collection centre and hand in your test request form and swabs/urine sample.

– Send your swabs/urine into the laboratory in the provided return envelope.

Yes, you can hand in your swabs/urine sample at any time or send those into the laboratory in the provided return envelope. You will receive results within one week of the samples being processed. This process is independent of the blood test and therefore can take place before, on the same day or after the blood test is conducted.

You will receive your results by email, typically within 1 week of testing.

Please check your spam folder if you haven’t received your results within this time frame.

No, your result is confidential. If you test positive for Gonorrhoea, Syphilis or HIV, we recommend contacting a local treatment provider.

Gonorrhoea, Syphilis and HIV are notifiable infections, which means that we are legally required to notify Public Health of any positive results, however information directly identifying the client is not included.

This most likely means that you don’t have Chlamydia, Gonorrhoea, HIV, or Syphilis.  However, it is important to remember that testing too soon after becoming infected could give a false negative result.  It can take up to 2 weeks after infection for a test to become positive for Chlamydia or Gonorrhoea. It may take up to 3 months for HIV or Syphilis to show up in a blood test after becoming infected (often sooner).

It is strongly advised that you visit a doctor if you have symptoms or are a contact of someone with an infection, as other tests and treatment may be recommended, despite a negative result. 

Chlamydia, Gonorrhoea and Syphilis are usually easily treatable and curable. There is no cure for HIV, but there is excellent treatment available. 

It is important that any positive results are managed by your local treatment provider, even if you don’t have symptoms. Untreated sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can potentially cause long term health problems for you, your sexual partners, and in pregnancy.

You can find information about your STI(s) on our website.  See justthefacts.co.nz to find your local treatment provider.

It is important not to have sex until after you and your partner(s) have been treated. This is to prevent the spread of infection or reinfection. 

Anyone who tests positive for an STI should have a repeat screen in 3 months. This can be done through Sexual Health 101. Alternatively, this can be done by your GP, Family Planning clinic, or other sexual health provider.

Every positive HIV test is confirmed by another test.

Around 3500 people are estimated to be living with HIV in New Zealand. There is no cure, however, there is excellent treatment available. Treatment for HIV is free for anyone in NZ, regardless of residency status. With the right treatment and care, people with HIV generally live normal, healthy lives.

Useful resources:
www.burnettfoundation.org.nz
www.bodypositive.org.nz
www.positivewomen.co.nz

Justthefacts.co.nz