If you think you may have an STI, you can get tested by a doctor.
You can freely talk to the doctor. He/she needs to have as much information as possible to be able to help you. A doctor cannot give any information about you to anybody else. He/she is obliged by law to respect your privacy.
Woman talking with a doctor
STI test
A test is done as follows:
- The doctor checks with you what kind of sex you had and will ask about any symptoms.
- The doctor examines your visible sexual organs, mouth and anus to check for symptoms.
- The doctor often takes a blood sample or asks for a urine sample. He/she can also take a swab from the area that might be infected (mouth/throat, anus, vagina, urethra).
- The doctor sends the samples to a lab for testing.
- The doctor receives the result of the test about 1 week later.
- The doctor explains the result and talks with you about the next steps. If necessary, he/she will give you medicines to treat the STI. Most STIs can be cured or their symptoms can be treated.
Doctor taking a blood sample
Doctor taking a swab from the mouth
Translate this text into:
Close
