It's important to test if you have any symptoms that may be due to an STI but also if you've had a change in sexual partner or a partner has had an STI. Often people with STI’s have no symptoms so it is always worth being tested if there has been a risk of infection and you haven't tested recently.

• pain when you pass urine (pee) 
• itching, burning or tingling around the genitals 
• new discharge from the genitals or anus
• blisters, sores, spots or lumps around the genitals or anus
• bleeding between periods or after sex
• pain during sex
• lower abdominal pain
• rash over the body with flu like symptoms

If you have symptoms or had contact with an infection it is important to be seen as soon as possible. Please call us on 0141 211 8130 to make an appointment.

If you don’t have symptoms it can sometimes be better to wait to test as it can take some time for your body to show signs of infection for our tests to find. Please consider the information below before taking a test. If it's done too early it may not be accurate.

• It can take two weeks after sex, for chlamydia and gonorrhoea to show up on a test
• An HIV test is highly accurate 45 days (about 6 weeks) after sex
• Syphilis can take up to 12 weeks to show up on a test after sex

If you are worried about the risk of HIV exposure in the last 72 hours please ring us on 0141 211 8130 as you may need treatment, PEP, to prevent infection.

It’s a good idea for everyone who is sexually active to book a test for STIs and HIV once a year, whether you have one partner or more than one partner.

If you are changing partners, it’s advised to test at least every six months. Some people (listed below) should consider testing more often such as every 3 months.

• people with high numbers of sexual partners
• those using PrEP
• gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) who are changing partners
• people involved in the commercial sex industry 

If your sex life changes, then your testing routine may have to change as well.

You may require a test sooner if you have symptoms. View the Sandyford "You think you may have a STI" video at the top of the testing for STI page. 

Our homepage also has advice on "time sensitive healthcare situations" that may require you to take a test sooner.

You should always consider testing window periods (the time between an infection being transmitted and it being able to be detected by the test):

Chlamydia and gonorrhoea can take two weeks after sex for to show up on a test.

An HIV test is highly accurate 45 days (about 6 weeks) after sex.

Syphilis can take up to 12 weeks to show up on a test after sex.

If you are worried about the risk of HIV exposure in the last 72 hours please call us on 0141 211 8130 Monday to Friday 8.45 am to 4.15 pm as you may need treatment, PEP, to prevent infection.

We've had to make some changes to testing. Click here to see if you can get testing with us at the moment. The tests are really easy to do. We will need to ask you some questions about your general health and sex life so we know which are the right tests to offer you. Generally, everyone getting testing will be offered chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis and HIV tests. Sometimes we test for further infections - if needed this will be discussed with you on the day. 

HIV and Syphilis is tested for by taking a blood sample

Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea are tested for by swabs in women and in men a urine sample and, sometimes, swabs. We also have lots of testing options if you identify as trans or non-binary. If you don’t have symptoms you can take these samples yourself. 

If a current or previous partner has contacted you after being diagnosed with a sexually transmitted infection please call phone number 01412118130 the appointment line for advice before booking an appointment online. 

Chlamydia is the most common STI in the UK and is easily passed on during sex. Most people don't experience any symptoms, so they are unaware they're infected. 

Gonorrhoea is a bacterial STI easily passed on during sex. About 50% of women and 10% of men don't experience any symptoms and are unaware they're infected.

Syphilis is a bacterial infection that in the early stages causes a painless, but highly infectious, sore on your genitals or around the mouth. The sore can last up to six weeks before disappearing.

HIV is a long term health condition which is now very easy to manage. HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus. The virus targets the immune system and if untreated, weakens your ability to fight infections and disease.

Genital herpes is a common infection caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV), which is the same virus that causes cold sores. You will only be tested for HSV if you have ulcers.

Genital warts are small fleshy growths, bumps or skin changes that appear on or around your genital or anal area. There is no test available for genital warts.