HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is a virus that can be passed on from one person to another by:

• Having unprotected sex without a condom (oral, vaginal and anal sex)
• By sharing infected needles
• By receiving infected blood
• From mother to baby during pregnancy and birth.

Someone can have HIV without realising they have it, Heterosexual, homosexual and bisexual men and women of all ages and socioeconomic groups.

• Over 91,000 people in the UK had HIV at the end of 2010.
• One quarter of these did not know they were infected.

If HIV infection is discovered by a test, it can be treated with medications. These are very good at treating the infection, and even though they don’t ‘cure’ HIV they can prevent it becoming a life-threatening disease. Most people who are treated for HIV remain fit and well. If not discovered and untreated, HIV can cause AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome), which is a serious illness that can lead to death.

We have several HIV tests, which are quick and not usually available on the NHS. Results usually return in 24 hours.

One of our tests can be performed 28 days after possible infection.

A combined Hepatitis B/ Hepatitis C/ HIV test can be performed at 10 days post infection. These tests look for antibodies to HIV and HIV proteins in the blood. These are made when the body ‘detects’ HIV. Please enquire for further details.

We also offer the standard HIV test 12 weeks after possible infection.

(This is the test available on the NHS and looks for antibodies to HIV. It can take 12 weeks for these antibodies to appear in the blood, after being infected with HIV. This is called the ‘window period’)

The result of a HIV test here is confidential.

In the event of a positive test, help and support is readily available at this clinic and we can refer you for treatment.
We recommend that you have this test if you have any concerns about HIV.

Why not take the plunge during HIV testing week and take the test?

CALL 07531 194797 with enquiries

We are delighted to announce that we are now able to offer our patients new Chlamydia, Gonorrhoea, Syphilis and HIV RAPID TESTS!

These are conducted by an accredited laboratory and are excellent tests. Results are back with us the next morning. So, if your test was performed before 4pm on a weekday, we would have the result back and be able to inform you by the next morning!

They are more accurate than ‘point of care’ or ‘on the spot’ tests advertised by many high street shops and pharmacies.

Why risk the chance of a false result with these high street tests, when you can have a better test and test results analysed by a Specialist doctor?

Our clinic can now offer an even quicker service, which will save our patients a long worrying wait for results. We appreciate how the wait for test results can be a difficult time, so are very pleased we can offer you these new tests and improve our service further.

For more details just contact us today confidentially on 07531 194797.

At our clinic we realise that many people wonder what will happen at their appointment and may worry about the unknown. For this reason, we thought you may find it helpful to have a ‘virtual’ experience through our Blog.

Our discrete private clinic premises are in a quiet residential area with nearby parking. The premises are also used at other times for other non-sexual health clinics, so it is not known to be purely a GUM / STI clinic. This means that if you are seen coming to clinic it could be for reasons other than a STI / STD check. Most of our patients like this aspect of the clinic.

We have very experienced clerical staff and they treat everything in the most confidential manner. Unless you chose to disclose to them why you have attended an appointment, they do not have any information as to your personal reasons for coming to clinic. This is disclosed solely to the Specialist doctor by you. All of this is confidential. We appreciate how important this can be for patients.

Our waiting area is quiet and comfortable. Patients very rarely have to wait for long, as all appointments are scheduled to fit with your timetable and run smoothly. Our doctor / nursing staff will invite you to a professional consultation room. It is always necessary to have a discussion with the doctor as to why you have attended and what help you are seeking. If it is required then the doctor may need to examine you. This is not always necessary. Our clinical rooms are fully equipped and very professional. Tests can be performed on urine samples and a patient bathroom is provided for this. Sometimes it may be necessary for swabs to be taken or blood samples. Most patients find this turns out to be not as bad as they had thought it might be!

The average appointment length varies between 30-60 minutes. Test results normally return very quickly, within 72 hours, although some very specialist tests can take a little longer. Our patients find this is great, compared to the 3 week wait sadly often experienced in NHS clinics. Mostly, a second appointment is not necessary and results can be relayed to you by our doctor via a telephone call or text. Ultimately it is your choice. We keep all records confidential and they are filed by our doctor.

We hope this ‘virtual clinic visit’ helps answer some of your questions.

If you have any further enquiries then please contact us on 07531 194797.

Our clinic is always very active this time of year. Summer draws to a close and Autumn is in the air! Many of us have fond memories of our summer holiday in the UK or abroad.

However, as we return to our usual routines, some people may be worried about STI/STD’s that they may have picked up from a holiday romance. It is well known that ‘Sun, Sea, Sand and Sangria’ lead us to more risky sexual behaviour. Perhaps a one-night stand, casual sex, or a condom splitting has left you concerned about sexually transmitted infections? As many of these infections have no symptoms, then it is difficult to know if you have caught an STD. Testing is the simple answer, and we would always recommend you get tested if you have the smallest concern. The sooner a STI is found, the sooner it can be treated. This makes it less likely it will affect your general and reproductive health. Our clinic offers fast private appointments and testing. Your health is our primary concern in a non-judgmental setting. Testing sometimes involves just a quick urine test at our clinic and will give you piece of mind, so that you can look forward to the months ahead without this worry hanging over you.

Going to seek help for STD’s and have tests can be a worrying experience.

Many people are embarrassed and dread the thought of long queues at their local sexual health clinic. They may worry about what to expect, or that they might meet someone they know etc. Many men and women feel embarrassed to be asked questions about their sex life. At our clinic we understand this and try to make the experience of STI /STD testing as hassle and worry free as possible.

We try and schedule appointments to suit our patients timetables.

Our clinic is small and led by an experienced doctor. Only one patient is seen at a time, so there are no waiting lines or cramped waiting rooms full of people.

Everything is confidential and notes and test results are kept anonymous.

The doctor will talk to you about your health and any symptoms that you may be experiencing, or whether you want to get checked for your piece of mind. Sometimes, the doctor may then need to perform an examination if they think it is necessary.

You will be told about all of the tests we have on offer. Our tests are the most sophisticated that are available and performed in excellent laboratories with highly qualified staff.

Some require a urine sample, others may require a swab to be taken, or perhaps a blood test, if you want one. Test results take between 2 and 5 working days to return, to give you reassurance as quickly as possible.

If the doctor thinks you need treatment then you will be given that in clinic. When test results return, you will be contacted by the doctor over the telephone/or by your choice of communication. Utmost care is taken to maintain your privacy and confidentiality. You will be given an opportunity to discuss results. Together with our doctor you will be able to make decisions about the treatment you require.

Most patients are relieved that they came to our clinic and recommend us for the high level of service we provide. Maybe we can help you one day.

You can only discover whether you have gonorrhoea by having a test. You may decide to have a test if:

1. You or your partner think you have symptoms.
2. You have recently had unprotected sex with someone.
3. You have had unprotected sex with a new partner.
4. During a vaginal examination your doctor/nurse says that the cervix (neck of the womb) is inflamed or red.
5. You have an unusual discharge.
6. An ex-partner says they have a STI.
7. You are pregnant or planning a pregnancy and think you may have a STI.

Myths about gonorrhoea tests.

• Even if your partner has tested negative, you should not rely on their result to detect whether you have gonorrhoea.
• If you have had gonorrhoea before, you are not immune to it, and can catch it again.
• Cervical smears and general vaginal swabs taken by a GP do not detect gonorrhoea.

When can I have the test?

• It is possible to do a test within a few days of having sex, but you may be asked to wait for a week after sex before being tested.
• If you do have gonorrhoea, it is a good idea to get tested for other STI’s, as you can have more than one STI at a time.

What happens during a test?

There are different ways of testing.

• A test organised by a doctor or nurse is best.
• You may have to provide a urine sample for testing.
• If you are a woman, a swab from the vagina or cervix is the best way to test for gonorrhoea. If you are a man a swab from the urethra or a urine sample can be sent to test for gonorrhoea.
• You will be asked to not pass urine for 2 hours before the test.
• If you have had oral sex, a doctor may collect a sample of cells from the back of your throat.
• The swabs are like very small rounded, cotton buds. They take a few seconds to do and are not painful, though sometimes a bit uncomfortable.
• The tests we perform are inexpensive, compete with on-line test prices, are performed in a proper laboratory and test results are interpreted by a Specialist doctor. Results are usually available in 48 hours.

BE REASSURED, BE FREE, BE TESTED!

Welcome back.

A busy morning in clinic doing chlamydia tests, rapid HIV tests, and cervical smears.

We have decided to do a ‘whistle-stop tour’ of chlamydia symptoms and treatment. Chlamydia can cause:

A change in vaginal discharge, pain during sex, pain passing urine, stomach pains and bleeding between periods in women.

In men, it can cause a discharge from the penis and pain or tingling when passing urine.

Anyone who notices these symptoms should have STI / STD tests, if they are concerned they may have an infection.

Most people infected with chlamydia have no symptoms.

Treating most chlamydia infections is relatively straightforward.

The earlier a test detects chlamydia, the easier it is to treat.

If the chlamydia infection is well established and has caused complications, it may be harder to treat with antibiotics.

We can provide antibiotics in clinic confidentially and at a reasonable cost.

It is essential that any sexual partner(s) are treated aswell, before resuming sex.

This will help avoid you becoming re-infected.

Watch out for tomorrows Blog!