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 4 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.

Getting tested is really easy. When you attend 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 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, if needed, swabs also. If you don’t have symptoms you can take these samples yourself.

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 warts are small fleshy growths, bumps or skin changes that appear on or around your genital or anal area.

Genital herpes is a common infection caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV), which is the same virus that causes cold sores.