Sexual health Checks

A sexually transmitted infection (STI) is an infection that can be passed from one person to the other through the physical act of having sex.

The ten most common STIs are

• Anogenital Warts
• Genital Chlamydia
• Genital Herpes
• Gonorrhoea
• HIV and AIDS
  
• Hepatitis B
• Hepatitis C
• Pubic Lice
• Syphilis
• Trichomonas Infection.

This depends on the infection but generally speaking two weeks after sexual contact is a good time frame to go by unless it was a high risk sexual encounter.  Some infections take longer to show in the tests than others:

• Chlamydia – 2 weeks
• Gonorrhoea – 1 week
• Trichomonas Vaginalis – 2 weeks
• Syphilis – 3 months
• HIV (rapid point of care test) – 3 months
• HIV (4th Generation non-rapid blood test) – 4 weeks (repeat at 8 months for high risk)

Repeat testing may be required depending on your circumstances.

Most of the screening is done with one visit unless abnormalities are found. We have broken this one visit down into stages for clarity reasons for you.

STAGE 1: Quick chat

You may find this part strange / embarrassing to talk about sex so openly but we can assure you we don’t get shocked easily and are well used to all variants of stories. Don’t feel that you have to use medical terms for your “bits”, we understand most phrases regarding “inies and outies”.

This part of the screening involves discussing your sexual history to include:

• When you last had sex?
• What type of sex?
• Number of partners?
• Last screening?
• Current symptoms?
• Sexual practices?
• Use of condoms and at what stage?
• Reason for testing?

STAGE 2: Blood test

For both men and women you will be required to give a small sample of blood through a vein in your arm. This is then sent to the offsite lab for state of the art screening.

STAGE 3: Exam

For men we require a fresh specimen of urine. You must not have passed urine for a minimum of 20 mins but preferably 1-2 hours if possible.

Some men (most men do not require this) may also need a swab taken with a tiny cotton bud just inside the tip (not too far inside, honest). You don’t need to worry, there are no long tubes, upside down umbrellas or any other misconceptions you may have heard in the past.

The clinician will also look and feel your testicles and penis including your foreskin.

For women:

A exam and swab is required. Very similar to a smear test only more than one swab may be taken. The clinician will look for any abnormalities at the same time as taking the swab. The clinician may need to palpate externally for abnormalities. If you are due a smear this can be taken at the same time subject to eligibility

A chaperone will be present if examined by a clinician of the opposite sex. If you would feel more comfortable with a friend being present that’s acceptable.

Swabs may also need to be taken from the throat / anus depending on sexual history.

STAGE 4: Visual results

If the clinician finds something and a diagnoses can be made prior to lab results they will update you immediately. You may also be offered medication to take prior to leaving the clinic or by prescription. Please do not have sex until the clinician updates you with a clean bill of health.

STAGE 5: Lab Results

Most positive results get phoned from the lab to the clinic within 3-4 days (sometimes next day). The clinician will call the same day if they get a call from the lab with a positive result. As soon as paper results arrive the clinician will call you with the results and advise.

STAGE 6: Retest

For positive results you may need to be retested after a period of time but this will be discussed with you during the results stage if required.

NO, NO and NO. In our opinion it’s not secure enough. Anyone can pick up your phone / letter and open it or get into your emails.

All results will be by phone call. You will be asked for a password (pick anything) during your initial examination. This password will be required to get your results when we call. If you forget your password you will have to come into the clinic for the results.

Screening is from €90

to include Cholesterol, Diabetes, Prostate, Thyroid function, Kidney function, Liver function, Bone and haematology

• Cholesterol blood test
• Triglyceride blood test
• HDL cholesterol check
• LDL cholesterol check
• Glucose (Diabetic) check
• Prostate (PSA) test
• Urea – Kidney Function blood test
• Sodium – Kidney Function blood test
• Potassium- Kidney Function blood test
• Creatinine – Kidney Function blood test
• Total Bilirubin – Liver Function Blood test
• ALT – Liver Function Blood test
• ALK Phosphate – Liver Function Blood test
• yGT – Liver Function Blood test
• Protein – Liver Function Blood test
• Albumin – Liver Function Blood test
• Calcium – Bone Function blood test
• Inorganic Phosphate – Blood function test
• Free T4 Thyroid function test
• TSH- Thyroid function test
• White Blood cells – Haematology Blood test
• Red Blood Cells – Haematology Blood test
• Haemoglobin – Haematology Blood test
• PCV – Haematology Blood test
• MCV – Haematology Blood test
• MCH- Haematology Blood test
• MCHC- Haematology Blood test
• RDW – Haematology Blood test
• Platelets – Haematology Blood test