STI testing

[Fishermansfriend]

Just wondering where you guys go to get checked for STI’s that doesn’t cost a fortune.

[Al R]

Axess clinic at a local NHS hospital. No charge

[RandomGuy99]

Local NHS sexual health clinic

Or home test External Link/Members Only

[Fishermansfriend]

Thanks guys.

[bluegene]

External Link/Members Only

[Neo]

Local NHS sexual health clinic

Or home test External Link/Members Only

Any idea how to get around the test being sent to a house as that's not discreet incase it gets opened. My local NHS clinic is booked up and is pretty shoddy sadly. Just thinking if it was possible for it to be delivered to like an Amazon Lockbox

[Kimeen]

There are places such as better2know that test in a clinic.

[jimbobted]

Any idea how to get around the test being sent to a house as that's not discreet incase it gets opened. My local NHS clinic is booked up and is pretty shoddy sadly. Just thinking if it was possible for it to be delivered to like an Amazon Lockbox

Webmedpharmacy deliver via DPD and you can have it delivered to a pick up shop of your choice rather than home.

[RandomGuy99]

Any idea how to get around the test being sent to a house as that's not discreet incase it gets opened. My local NHS clinic is booked up and is pretty shoddy sadly. Just thinking if it was possible for it to be delivered to like an Amazon Lockbox

Usuallly they have a walk-in clinic and you take a number and wait to be seen.  You might look a bit out of place as most of their clients seem to be under 30. They did ask me a load of wuestions when I first went including "have you ever paid for sex?".  They haven't asked me such questions on subsequent visits.

[MysteryManNo.7]

Usuallly they have a walk-in clinic and you take a number and wait to be seen.  You might look a bit out of place as most of their clients seem to be under 30. They did ask me a load of wuestions when I first went including "have you ever paid for sex?".  They haven't asked me such questions on subsequent visits.

I was also asked this at a walk in clinic and I denied it as I'm not sure why they would ask this or indeed why it would be relevant. Maybe I'm being dense but I don't see why they would ask.

[RandomGuy99]

I was also asked this at a walk in clinic and I denied it as I'm not sure why they would ask this or indeed why it would be relevant. Maybe I'm being dense but I don't see why they would ask.

I think because they think you might be at higher risk to infection or that you may have visited drug users or you are likely to have a higher number of sexual partners so the chance of you catching something may be higher than average.  I think the reality is that the SPs I visit have better sexual health than your average woman on the street and I actively try to avoid drug users - no party girls for me as I soon discovered this doesn't mean you get pop and sausage rolls on the booking.

It's possibly the NHS having an outdated view of escorts and that they work on the street and are dirty.  The reality is far from this.  Your average 20 something down the local pub probably poses more risk to you from a sexual health perspective than an SP who looks after her sexual health and is routinely tested for STIs.

The clinic also asked if I had sex with female partners mostly from the UK or overseas. I think they use this information to determine what tests you should have as I think some STIs are more common in certain countries.

[Festa]

An interesting take on the relative risk of catching an STI. The two times I contracted a NSU were from 1) a girlfriend giving me oral and 2) casual sex. Both were in the 1970s pre AIDs and frankly pre concern about most sexually transmitted infections. Many girls were using the pill and the use of condoms was largely limited to paid sex. I cannot recall a time when I used a condom when I was at University. We baby boomers were indeed blessed.

[Strawberry]

I was also asked this at a walk in clinic and I denied it as I'm not sure why they would ask this or indeed why it would be relevant. Maybe I'm being dense but I don't see why they would ask.

Paid sex is considered higher risk for STIs, also means they may consider offering Hep B vaccination and also expand the range of tests offered. For example the GUM have given me the full Hep B vaccination course, check my immunity and administer boosters when required. Also because I am paid for sex the GUM clinic break their rules on oral swabs, these are usually only offered to women if symptoms are present.

Have you ever read the blood donation rules? People who have been paid or pay for sex have to wait 3 months after their last sexual contact before they can give blood. There used to be a permanent lifetime ban for sex SPs, and 12 months wait for punters. These rules changed only as recently as 2017.

External Link/Members Only

[Festa]

Strawberry, Is the judgement of higher risk associated with paid sex linked to clear evidence or is it based on a reasonable assumption that more sexual partners magnifies the risk?

[Strawberry]

Strawberry, Is the judgement of higher risk associated with paid sex linked to clear evidence or is it based on a reasonable assumption that more sexual partners magnifies the risk?

A quick Google because I've never looked into the evidence behind the policy. Information on the following webpage could be biased because the site provides test kits;

"Sexual Intercourse with a sex worker is one of the most high risk sexual activities there are, because of the large number of partners that each sex worker has, and many clients use more than one sex worker, so it is easy to see how infection can spread and very quickly."

External Link/Members Only

[DDMC30]

The blood donation rules are most likely excessively stringent and heavily influenced by modern trends and ideas of what is and isn't acceptable in society. Obviously they have to be cautious and sensible dealing with such an important and potentially dangerous treatment, but when you examine what is and is not deemed suitable for donation, its quite obvious that the rules don't necessarily match the evidence. But hey that's nothing new.

Strawberry, Is the judgement of higher risk associated with paid sex linked to clear evidence or is it based on a reasonable assumption that more sexual partners magnifies the risk?

[RandomGuy99]

So it's a shared responsibility.

SPs regularly get tested to protect themselves and the SSs who see them.

SSs should regularly get tested to protect themselves and the SPs they see.

If either has a concern about a possible infection then they should abstain from sexual contact until they've had a clear test.

If we all do our bit, then we help to protect each other.

A trip to the sexual health clinic is nothing to be worried about and it's usually pretty quick and they're a friendly bench.

[Strawberry]

So it's a shared responsibility.

SPs regularly get tested to protect themselves and the SSs who see them.

SSs should regularly get tested to protect themselves and the SPs they see.

If either has a concern about a possible infection then they should abstain from sexual contact until they've had a clear test.

If we all do our bit, then we help to protect each other.

A trip to the sexual health clinic is nothing to be worried about and it's usually pretty quick and they're a friendly bench.

Wearing condoms is surely the first line of defence, including during oral. I can bang on about condom use, but I do engage in OWO.

[RandomGuy99]

Wearing condoms is surely the first line of defence, including during oral. I can bang on about condom use, but I do engage in OWO.

Agreed. I'm not a fan of OW though and I usually don't book an SP if she only does OW, but I have once or twice. It can't be much fun for the SP either sucking on a piece of rubber. OWO has its risks. 

[B4bcock]

Usuallly they have a walk-in clinic and you take a number and wait to be seen.  You might look a bit out of place as most of their clients seem to be under 30. They did ask me a load of wuestions when I first went including "have you ever paid for sex?".  They haven't asked me such questions on subsequent visits.

I was also asked this on my first visit.  I said "Yes" and was then asked how often I visited SP's.  I answered truthfully and the nurse then inquired if I had ever had a course of Hepatitis B vaccine.  I hadn't, (as I was totally unaware of how important it was) so it was duly arranged.  When I got home I googled Hep B and was glad I had resisted the urge to understate my degree of sexual activity and was subsequently given the vaccine due to being considered high risk.

[Murray Mint]

NHS GUM clinics are totally non-judgemental They’ve heard it all before and just want to judge how vulnerable you are. They’ll probably ask if you have sex with sex workers and if you use protection. They may ask if you indulge in anal sex – I remember offering that information without being asked – and will then probably offer you a course of hep. B. It’s 3 jabs over a couple of months as I recall. If you’re an old fart like me, yes, you will stand out; particularly in a town like Reading where the waiting area will mostly be occupied by students!

[holeymoley]

I was also asked this at a walk in clinic and I denied it as I'm not sure why they would ask this or indeed why it would be relevant. Maybe I'm being dense but I don't see why they would ask.

Ive visited my local clinic over the years and never been asked if I paid or in fact anything i would deem to be inappropriate. Completely discrete and definitely non judgemental at all levels of staff.

[GingerNuts]

Ive visited my local clinic over the years and never been asked if I paid or in fact anything i would deem to be inappropriate. Completely discrete and definitely non judgemental at all levels of staff.

They should ask (or you should volunteer) and it's highly approporiate. How otherwise do they assess your risk/needs?

[daviemac]

They should ask (or you should volunteer) and it's highly approporiate. How otherwise do they assess your risk/needs?

To withhold relevant information from medical professionals is just crazy, like you say they need to know everything to accurately assess the risks. 

[Doc Holliday]

"Sexual Intercourse with a sex worker is one of the most high risk sexual activities there are, because of the large number of partners that each sex worker has, and many clients use more than one sex worker, so it is easy to see how infection can spread and very quickly."

Theoretically correct. The more you are exposed to a risk the more chance you have of a negative outcome. However .....

Wearing condoms is surely the first line of defence, including during oral.

Absolutely correct and this negates the above mentioned increased risk factor with punting, especially as condom use is vastly more prevalent than civvy sex. As I have said many times, cover up (correctly used) for all activity and even if you expose yourself frequently to the risk, your chances of a negative outcome are very slim. Testing is of minimal importance in comparison, especially as the majority of people don't get regularly tested unless they have symptoms.

If we liken the risk to trying to crossing a very busy main road by 'dodging' the traffic. The more times you attempt it the more chance you have of getting it wrong and being hit by that speeding 'chlamydia' car.

However should you use a condom for all activity, then you are crossing that busy dual carriageway using a footbridge. Should you choose not to cover up for oral, then the risk analogy is probably closer to using a zebra crossing.

Of course nothing in life is without some risk and one day you just happen to be on the footbridge when an HIV HGV skids, loses control and hits the bridge ... but what are the chances of that?

[Doc Holliday]

They should ask (or you should volunteer) and it's highly approporiate. How otherwise do they assess your risk/needs?

I still recall as a student being told "You should carefully question the patient in a relevant and systematic manner , but must then listen closely to what they say, as invariably they will frequently be telling you the diagnosis"

Of course it is only later that you discover people are sometimes less than truthful 

[JontyR]

If this is a place for a separate discussion then please let me know but on the Docs last two points did anyone else see the story relating to Gareth Thomas this week?

External Link/Members Only

Do you think that there is any potential impacts on the punting environment?

[RandomGuy99]

If this is a place for a separate discussion then please let me know but on the Docs last two points did anyone else see the story relating to Gareth Thomas this week?

External Link/Members Only

Do you think that there is any potential impacts on the punting environment?

No

[holeymoley]

They should ask (or you should volunteer) and it's highly approporiate. How otherwise do they assess your risk/needs?

I didn't say that I hadn't been asked anything, I said I hadn't been asked anything I deemed inappropriate, not quite the same thing is it?
Why on earth would you assume I would not volunteer information, surely there would be no point in me even going. I think you made too many assumptions. For clarity I have never been asked If I paid for sex, never ever.

[Doc Holliday]

No

Why?

[RandomGuy99]

Why?

Ok, please explain the relevance of Gareth Thomas to escorting.  I might have missed something.

Thanks

[Doc Holliday]

Ok, please explain the relevance of Gareth Thomas to escorting.  I might have missed something.

Thanks

It's not about Gareth Thomas as such, it is about not informing a sexual partner you are HIV positive. There is no legal requirement to inform a sexual partner your status.

There is however the possibility of being charged with reckless transmission of  HIV.

If however someone is HIV positive, but treatment means they have an undetectable viral load and they use condoms correctly for all sexual activity, then it is deemed they cannot possibly transmit the virus so reckless transmission does not apply.

It is always preferable to tell a partner your status and indeed this is encouraged, but if the above criteria are met then there is no obligation to do so. This means you have to always consider this possibility when having casual sex with someone, including with a sex worker 

[JontyR]

Ok, please explain the relevance of Gareth Thomas to escorting.  I might have missed something.

Thanks

Not Gareth Thomas per se, the link details:

"Ian Baum alleged Mr Thomas hid his HIV status and "failed to take reasonable care" to ensure he did not pass it on."

Given this, isn't there a distinct responsibility here in relation to both punters and escorts to alter the activities they provide or request based on their knowledge? Or to provide full disclosure of their status relating to all STIs? 

[JontyR]

It's not about Gareth Thomas as such, it is about not informing a sexual partner you are HIV positive. There is no legal requirement to inform a sexual partner your status.

There is however the possibility of being charged with reckless transmission of  HIV.

If however someone is HIV positive, but treatment means they have an undetectable viral load and they use condoms correctly for all sexual activity, then it is deemed they cannot possibly transmit the virus so reckless transmission does not apply.

It is always preferable to tell a partner your status and indeed this is encouraged, but if the above criteria are met then there is no obligation to do so. This means you have to always consider this possibility when having casual sex with someone, including with a sex worker 

Yeah...what he said!!

[Strawberry]

It's not about Gareth Thomas as such, it is about not informing a sexual partner you are HIV positive. There is no legal requirement to inform a sexual partner your status.

There is however the possibility of being charged with reckless transmission of  HIV.

If however someone is HIV positive, but treatment means they have an undetectable viral load and they use condoms correctly for all sexual activity, then it is deemed they cannot possibly transmit the virus so reckless transmission does not apply.

It is always preferable to tell a partner your status and indeed this is encouraged, but if the above criteria are met then there is no obligation to do so. This means you have to always consider this possibility when having casual sex with someone, including with a sex worker 

There are posters in the GUM I visit stating 'no detectable viral load = no transmission".

[RandomGuy99]

Not Gareth Thomas per se, the link details:

"Ian Baum alleged Mr Thomas hid his HIV status and "failed to take reasonable care" to ensure he did not pass it on."

Given this, isn't there a distinct responsibility here in relation to both punters and escorts to alter the activities they provide or request based on their knowledge? Or to provide full disclosure of their status relating to all STIs?

So SPs and SSs should carry details of our STI test results like an MOT report and show them to each other before we get into the booking?

[Doc Holliday]

There are posters in the GUM I visit stating 'no detectable viral load = no transmission".

Indeed and some couples where one is +ve, may have a grown up discussion and by mutual agreement decide to dispense with condoms altogether. It is probably more of a psychological barrier to overcome rather than doubting the science.

[JontyR]

So SPs and SSs should carry details of our STI test results like an MOT report and show them to each other before we get into the booking?

No. But I don't doubt that just as attitudes to risk differ attitudes to modifying behaviours based on a test result will too.

I reckon most on here would think if they ever copped a dose of something that they would remove myself from the game or restrict the activities they undertake to remove any risk of transmission from whoever they are engaging with. Just not sure that that is 100% on either side of the fence.

[GingerNuts]

I didn't say that I hadn't been asked anything, I said I hadn't been asked anything I deemed inappropriate, not quite the same thing is it?
Why on earth would you assume I would not volunteer information, surely there would be no point in me even going. I think you made too many assumptions. For clarity I have never been asked If I paid for sex, never ever.

If you leave half the story out of your post it leaves the reader to fill in the blanks.

[adenmc4]

Mailed testing kit provider I use quarterly: External Link/Members Only

[scouting]

A quick Google because I've never looked into the evidence behind the policy. Information on the following webpage could be biased because the site provides test kits;

"Sexual Intercourse with a sex worker is one of the most high risk sexual activities there are, because of the large number of partners that each sex worker has, and many clients use more than one sex worker, so it is easy to see how infection can spread and very quickly."

External Link/Members Only

Interestingly when I went for a check-up a couple of years ago the doctor asked a few relevant questions regarding the encounter which prompted my presence. She probed quite deeply and when I explained it was an escort (the end of the condom broke) she had the opposite reaction. Said in her experience sex workers tended to be careful, were regularly tested and doubted I would have a problem. I guess in comparison to a drunken fuck after a night out it may be safer. Thankfully all tests negative.