Results and treatment
You’ve had an STI test. Your urine, your smear sample, and perhaps your blood, have been examined in a laboratory.
Results
You receive the results of an STI test or an HIV test after 1-2 weeks. The result of a rapid HIV test is available within an hour.
- If you have an HIV test, you’ll be advised to come back to receive the results.
- If you have an STI test, you are often given the results by text message or by phone.
- You can sometimes get your results online with a special log-in code.
If you do have an STI, go to a Sense drop-in session or your doctor for treatment and advice.
Treatment is important
Make sure you get treatment for an STI. If you don’t, it may lead to serious complications.
Chlamydia, gonorrhoea and syphilis
Chlamydia and gonorrhoea can be treated with antibiotics that will cure the infection in a week. Syphilis is also treated with antibiotics. Antibiotics are only used for STIs caused by bacteria.
Hepatitis B and HIV
STIs caused by a virus (genital herpes, genital warts, HIV and hepatitis B) are more difficult to treat. There are drugs that will suppress these viruses and their symptoms, but none that remove the virus from your body. People with HIV and hepatitis B are referred to a hospital specialist for further guidance and treatment. Sometimes your natural defences will fight off the hepatitis B virus.
Genital herpes
The medication you are given for genital herpes suppresses the virus. You may be referred to a dermatologist or gynaecologist. People who have herpes can have 4-5 outbreaks a year. It is unknown why some people often have recurring outbreaks, while others rarely do, or never have one again. It is a known fact that staying fit and healthy is important.
Genital warts
Genital warts usually disappear by themselves, but the virus remains in your body. Genital warts can be treated. You may be referred to a dermatologist or gynaecologist for treatment. Sometimes the warts come back after a while.