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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
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I am posting this after chatting to someone about this.... She was not aware that when you have your tests done that it is actually testing you for a period in the past... For some reason things it's weeks ago,but for other things like hiv it can be months ago...
This came up because she was being tested because she wanted to try for a baby... And didn't understand why she was told to get a 2nd test down in 2 to 3 months.
Now for me I always am up front about any activity and as I go often I'm quite openly chatty but on talking to a few of my friends on here too it's seems that many dont realise an all clear doesnt actually mean totally clear... Just that at that point you were tested you were infection free...
And this is why it's important to have regular tests... I still feel sick when waiting for my results but I know it's the right thing to do..
So please look at it like an mot test with regular service intervals... Not that an all clear 6 months ago means your okay now.. as even if you have not had sexy in between test times.. something could still show xx
Stay safe |
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I've always been told this at the GUM clinic, but I've always been very open and honest about my sexual activities.
Before going, I stop all sex for 2 weeks, to give a chance for things to show up, but I know thats not possible for all stds to show immediately. |
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Any GU clinic will give free, confidential testing to anyone. First time, you also get a meeting with a health advisor (very useful). Most stis (such as clamydia) can be detected 2 weeks after 'exposure'; with HIV there is currently a 3 month 'window period' before it can be definitively detected. That said, a new test is used in some clinics which can detect after 2 weeks (they will tell you which one they use). If you do have unprotected sex, or an accident, and feel you might be at risk, you should go to a GU clinic straight away (within 72hours); they will give you PEP (post exposure drugs) which _can_ protect you from HIV.
Best to know, and to get tested, even though it's scary!
Hope that helps! : ) |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"(I emphasised 'can', as opposed to 'will'; PEP can't guarantee protection against contracting HIV, but it's definitely worth taking it if there's a genuine risk). "
check out this if you want to know more on PEP drugs.
http://www.nhs.uk/chq/Pages/1840.aspx?CategoryID=73 |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Is it free to have std test at your doctor and is that what you ask an STD TEST
Surely you have been ? "
I bet lots don't go. Too many people seem to think they are 'safe' or that tests are only for people that have group sex/ bi men. Worrying. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Is it free to have std test at your doctor and is that what you ask an STD TEST "
call them and ask if they have that service. If not they will direct you to places where you can have them done. It's free |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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My lady friend and I go every two months to the Genito-Urinary Medicine unit in our local hospital. The staff are excellent and never judgmental. It is totally free. They will not tell your family doctor unless you give them approval.
We tell them openly and honestly every contact we have had and if it was protected or not. We ask questions about risks and collect our free condom packets. We always have all the tests. The staff never question how many times we go there and always welcome us.
There is therefore no excuse for not being tested yet we have heard them all. "I give blood and they would not take it if I was infected" Rubbish! Not all STIs are blood born. "We always use condoms so we are safe." Safer perhaps but not safe. That can only be after full testing once the appropriate incubation period has elapsed.
If anyone on here reading this, who has a sex life, does not get tested then you should have a serious think about it.
 |
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"My lady friend and I go every two months to the Genito-Urinary Medicine unit in our local hospital. The staff are excellent and never judgmental. It is totally free. They will not tell your family doctor unless you give them approval.
We tell them openly and honestly every contact we have had and if it was protected or not. We ask questions about risks and collect our free condom packets. We always have all the tests. The staff never question how many times we go there and always welcome us.
There is therefore no excuse for not being tested yet we have heard them all. "I give blood and they would not take it if I was infected" Rubbish! Not all STIs are blood born. "We always use condoms so we are safe." Safer perhaps but not safe. That can only be after full testing once the appropriate incubation period has elapsed.
If anyone on here reading this, who has a sex life, does not get tested then you should have a serious think about it.
"
totaly agree! Most hospitals have a gum clinic ( in this neck of the woods anyway!) Plus local clinics. Only have to look on line, phone book for numbers. Don't feel nowadays there as much stigma like there was when going to the 'clap clinic' as in the past . Crazy that there are some who obvi meet/play lots and who just don't bother at all.... The " it won't ever happen to me' attitude is very telling as ultimatly its other people it can effect too.  says it all really   |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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There's a sexual health clinic in my local area. The staff are fantastic, no judgements are made and you can just pop in and wait instead of making an appointment. I've never felt embarrassed to ask any questions.
Tax money well spent! |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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I go regularly for a check up but the difficult thing is getting an appointment. My local GUM clinic will only do appointments up to 3 days in advance and it's very tricky booking a day off that matches. |
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"Is it free to have std test at your doctor and is that what you ask an STD TEST "
I'd recommend that you test more anonymously in a GUM clinic, as your GP records can become more public in future. Whilst you can give your name at a clinic, it doesn't have to be your actual name, so there's nothing to trace to you.
We don't know what the future holds, and at one point, for example, having had an hiv test made getting a mortgage more difficult, even if you were clear. Where there is traceable evidence, then anyone may eventually get hold of it, from outside of the local health trust and even the NHS.
Google has had a lot of NHS patient records provided to it, so they may also now be provided to all and sundry. With ever more outsourcing of services to private companies, I think it really pays to protect yourself.
GUM clinics do testing all day, so they are faster, experienced and you are in great hands. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Is it free to have std test at your doctor and is that what you ask an STD TEST
I'd recommend that you test more anonymously in a GUM clinic, as your GP records can become more public in future. Whilst you can give your name at a clinic, it doesn't have to be your actual name, so there's nothing to trace to you.
We don't know what the future holds, and at one point, for example, having had an hiv test made getting a mortgage more difficult, even if you were clear. Where there is traceable evidence, then anyone may eventually get hold of it, from outside of the local health trust and even the NHS.
Google has had a lot of NHS patient records provided to it, so they may also now be provided to all and sundry. With ever more outsourcing of services to private companies, I think it really pays to protect yourself.
GUM clinics do testing all day, so they are faster, experienced and you are in great hands."
I use my real name at the clinic - and an arm of google use highly randomized data not traceable to a specific person. I know because on of my friends provides the data to them under extremely strict rules. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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I always find it worrying that people constantly refer to getting tested as safe or protection.
It doesn't protect you from anything just means you can start getting treatment for something you already have before you pass it on to too many people.
It's like the Bb people saying "it's ok I've been tested" as if this is some magical shield you could still have gotten infected before or after the tests. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Is it free to have std test at your doctor and is that what you ask an STD TEST
I'd recommend that you test more anonymously in a GUM clinic, as your GP records can become more public in future. Whilst you can give your name at a clinic, it doesn't have to be your actual name, so there's nothing to trace to you.
We don't know what the future holds, and at one point, for example, having had an hiv test made getting a mortgage more difficult, even if you were clear. Where there is traceable evidence, then anyone may eventually get hold of it, from outside of the local health trust and even the NHS.
Google has had a lot of NHS patient records provided to it, so they may also now be provided to all and sundry. With ever more outsourcing of services to private companies, I think it really pays to protect yourself.
GUM clinics do testing all day, so they are faster, experienced and you are in great hands."
Having bisexual or gay on your medical records still affects your ability to get a mortgage as it's seen as a health risk.
Annonymous at the clinic with results not shared with gp is the way to go.
The ones in London now Do results in just 4-6 hours which is good and the instant hiv test is now accurate down to only 3 weeks rather than months.
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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I go regularly, I always have and see no shame.....
It still amazes me how many people think that just because they use a condom for penetrative sex, they are safe n don't bother when having oral sex....
Go n get tested fabbies..... No shame, all free n staff are cool with honesty   |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"I go regularly for a check up but the difficult thing is getting an appointment. My local GUM clinic will only do appointments up to 3 days in advance and it's very tricky booking a day off that matches. "
Why would you have to book a whole day off? Do your work not allow for hospital/doctor/dentist appointments? |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"I go regularly for a check up but the difficult thing is getting an appointment. My local GUM clinic will only do appointments up to 3 days in advance and it's very tricky booking a day off that matches.
Why would you have to book a whole day off? Do your work not allow for hospital/doctor/dentist appointments?"
No. If I take anytime at all... I lose the pay. A colleague had to take a days holiday for her fathers funeral as they refused to pay her!
That's why I book holiday rather than risk my health.... It just takes a bit of juggling x |
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