FAQs
The right package
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.
Place your order
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.
When you order your test, we will ask questions to determine what you need in your test pack.
At this stage testing is available for people located in Auckland and Northland only. We will shortly be offering testing across New Zealand.
Alternative options for testing include sexual health clinics, GPs and Family Planning clinics.
The cost of a testing package which includes testing for Chlamydia, Gonorrhoea, HIV and Syphilis starts from $50.
What to do with your samples
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 return envelope (available at checkout for an additional fee)
Yes, you can hand in your swabs/urine sample at any time or send those into the laboratory in the return envelope (optional extra which is available at checkout for an additional fee). 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.
Your request form will be emailed with your order confirmation and sent as a hard copy within your package. Please contact testing@sexualhealth101.co.nz if you need further assistance.
Results
You will receive your results by email, typically within 1 week of testing.
No, your result is confidential. If you test positive for Gonorrhoea, Syphilis or HIV, we will ask your permission to refer you to your 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 situation applies for all positive Gonorrhoea, Syphilis and HIV tests in NZ, wherever the test is done.
If you have a positive result, and we are unable to contact you to ensure you are treated, we may need to pass your information on to your local sexual health or public health service to be followed up.
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.
Information about your STI(s), and advice about where you can go for treatment, can be found on our website. You will receive information to take to your treatment provider, to ensure that your infection is managed according to NZ guidelines. Depending on your infection, you may also receive a phone call from one of our clinicians.
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.
We will contact you again after a week, to ensure that you have been treated. In addition, anyone who tests positive for an STI should have a repeat screen in 3 months. This can be done through Sexual Health 101, and you will be sent a reminder email. 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. False positive results can very rarely occur, and your result will be discussed with you by one of our clinicians.
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. If your test is positive, you will be directed to treatment providers in your area, as well as other information and resources about HIV. With the right treatment and care, people with HIV generally live normal, healthy lives.
Useful resources:
www.nzaf.org.nz
www.bodypositive.org.nz
www.positivewomen.co.nz