Testing

[yorkwest]

If this has already been opened as a thread, i apologise.

With my punts becoming more and more regular i'm trying to find ways of remaining safe. I now no longer opt for OWO or DFK for example.

However I also want to make sure i'm getting tested frequently just incase.

I've looked online and can only see kits for certain types of STI's/STD's.
I don't show any kind of symptoms, just want to be safe.

Is anyone aware of ways that I can get tested before symptoms start to show?

TIA

[ZeroCount]

Most people here seem perfectly happy with the online kits and what they test for. Is there anything particular you feel you ought to be getting tested for which the kits don't cover?

[Jonestown]

Private health clinics will do a full sexual health profile for around £400, covers for just about everything out the I believe, this in theory gives you a clear baseline to work from. SHL the online testing house with contracts for NHS will test you for the most common STIs for free, if you tell them you have same sex partners they will give you two extra swab tests, and if you tell them you have got flu like symptoms there will refer you to your local STI clinic for a series of other tests.

[RandomGuy99]

Have a read of this External Link/Members Only to understand why you have to wait before you get some tests, otherwise you may be giving yourself a false clsense of security

You can over test and that really does nothing for you as you haven't allowed time for antibodies to develop and thus the tests that check for the presence of the antibodies find nothing and this you think you're negative for everything.

[Mr Garmin]

There's a few things not covered by the kits

External Link/Members Only

Sorry to worry you further.

[Bigwilts]

If this has already been opened as a thread, i apologise.

With my punts becoming more and more regular i'm trying to find ways of remaining safe. I now no longer opt for OWO or DFK for example.

However I also want to make sure i'm getting tested frequently just incase.

I've looked online and can only see kits for certain types of STI's/STD's.
I don't show any kind of symptoms, just want to be safe.

Is anyone aware of ways that I can get tested before symptoms start to show?

TIA

If the purpose is for reassurance then periodically get tested such as via SH.UK, SHL.UK, local NHS clinics etc, go through the short questionnaire about your activity and it will recommend the types of tests
A negative result relates to your status at the time of the test and highlight the appropriate time caveats (eg that a particular infection may not show for two weeks)
That’s good enough for routine checks

If you have a particular concern, such as the condom broke, then consider avoiding activity for a relevant period - it doesn’t hurt to order a test straight away then follow up two weeks later with another test
(That allows for the chance of an early detection if it shows up, then the follow up once time has passed to be sure)

Don’t assume that no symptoms two weeks after activity means a negative.  It’s possible to have an infection without symptoms, and then just spread it to others

[RandomGuy99]

If the purpose is for reassurance then periodically get tested such as via SH.UK, SHL.UK, local NHS clinics etc, go through the short questionnaire about your activity and it will recommend the types of tests
A negative result relates to your status at the time of the test and highlight the appropriate time caveats (eg that a particular infection may not show for two weeks)
That’s good enough for routine checks

If you have a particular concern, such as the condom broke, then consider avoiding activity for a relevant period - it doesn’t hurt to order a test straight away then follow up two weeks later with another test
(That allows for the chance of an early detection if it shows up, then the follow up once time has passed to be sure)

Don’t assume that no symptoms two weeks after activity means a negative.  It’s possible to have an infection without symptoms, and then just spread it to others

Many of the free STI services won't let you order another test for a minimum of 12 weeks because it's pointless doing another test if you haven't allowed time for antibodies to develop.

[Alexmck]

Do SHL monthly and then quarterly (or if there is a reason) the full she-bang private for quick/week results. Private picks up some other things that SHL doesn't test for but SHL does the main ones - maybe those who know more than me can confirm

[Arripotter1971]

I thought the NHS did a free at home testing kit and also send you packs of "Johnnies" as a bonus too ? or have they stopped this now ??

[Doc Holliday]

I thought the NHS did a free at home testing kit and also send you packs of "Johnnies" as a bonus too ? or have they stopped this now ??

It depends where you live. Post code lottery etc. Some areas now have reduced or restricted access to free sti testing kits for routine testing without symptoms. Funding cuts etc. 

EDIT just to add Local Authorities are responsible for providing and funding Sexual Health Services, though logistically they work in tandem with NHS providers.

[Formicahunt]

I've used a not local to me walk in centre with no issues. Results back in a few days by text to my punting phone.

[Cambridgy]

Getting tested once a quarter isn't a bad rhythm to get into - External Link/Members Only is a bit expensive but fast and easy...

NHS walkup in Soho are brilliant (just choose a random London postcode - and give them your phone number and you get it free)

If you are using seeking or hooking up with civvies - then you are likely to be taking more chances.
It's not a taboo subject anymore - and on my last two trips offering to pay for (i.e. requiring) your partner(s) be tested - is usually viewed very positively.

There are somethings, like HPV and Herpes that you are just going to have to asses the risk for yourself.

[Hobbit]

I usually recommend an IQ test before having an STI test done.

[wordy]

Getting tested once a quarter isn't a bad rhythm to get into - External Link/Members Only is a bit expensive but fast and easy...

NHS walkup in Soho are brilliant (just choose a random London postcode - and give them your phone number and you get it free)

If you are using seeking or hooking up with civvies - then you are likely to be taking more chances.
It's not a taboo subject anymore - and on my last two trips offering to pay for (i.e. requiring) your partner(s) be tested - is usually viewed very positively.

There are somethings, like HPV and Herpes that you are just going to have to asses the risk for yourself.

Have you used the test.me tests?  Are they discrete enough to get delivered to my workplace instead of my house?

[Omadon2001]

I do my tests through the superdrug online Dr site.

They can post the tests to a post office of your choice for you to collect there

[Cambridgy]

Have you used the test.me tests?  Are they discrete enough to get delivered to my workplace instead of my house?

Yep - very discreet - then pop the sample box into a postbox.
Before you take blood - pop your finger into the hottest water you can stand for a min or so - makes the whole process way easier.

[RandomGuy99]

Are they discrete enough to get delivered to my workplace instead of my house?

Yes, they're all totally individual and separate.

[wordy]

I do my tests through the superdrug online Dr site.

They can post the tests to a post office of your choice for you to collect there

For the life of me I can't find where it tells you the difference between the basic and full men's test kit   

[Omadon2001]

I think the basic one is Chlamydia, gonorrhoea the full one includes trichomonas, gardenerella and several others that you've probably never heard of.

A few years ago I had the full one and they found gardenerella. Apparently, in men, there's no cause for concern. In women there is

[Jonestown]

For the life of me I can't find where it tells you the difference between the basic and full men's test kit   

The Superdrug extended test costs £145, uses a urine sample and checks for:-

Chlamydia
Gonorrhea
Herpes
Mycoplasma
Ureaplasma
Gardnerella
Trichomonas


External Link/Members Only

[wordy]

The Superdrug extended test costs £145, uses a urine sample and checks for:-

Chlamydia
Gonorrhea
Herpes
Mycoplasma
Ureaplasma
Gardnerella
Trichomonas


External Link/Members Only

That's a different one to the ones I was looking at.  I was looking at the Men's Basic STI test and the Men's Full STI test.
External Link/Members Only

I managed to find the difference in the end by expanding the What Is A Male STI Test question...

What does the basic male STI test check for?
The basic male STI test checks for a number of different STIs including:

gonorrhoea of the genitals, throat and anus
chlamydia of the genitals, throat and anus
syphilis
HIV

What does the full male STI test check for?
The full male STI test checks for:

gonorrhoea of the genitals, throat, and anus
chlamydia of the genitals, throat, and anus
syphilis
HIV
hepatitis B and C
genital herpes
trichomoniasis
ureaplasma
mycoplasma
gardnerella

I've ordered a Men's Basic test

[Doc Holliday]

Just a comment about Herpes testing. It is not a urine test but a PCR swab of the symptomatic area with active lesions. This is to confirm a diagnosis which can usually be made by clinical observation. The swab test is not used if no symptoms/lesions are present.

There are blood tests for herpes if you have no symptoms, but they are not really of any great value for the majority of people.

They are subject to a higher level of false positives than other blood tests and they cannot distinguish between oral or genital herpes.

As a result 70% + will test positive but most will have never shown any symptoms of either oro/facial or genital herpes.

[Harry Monk]

If this has already been opened as a thread, i apologise.

With my punts becoming more and more regular i'm trying to find ways of remaining safe. I now no longer opt for OWO or DFK for example.

However I also want to make sure i'm getting tested frequently just incase.

I've looked online and can only see kits for certain types of STI's/STD's.
I don't show any kind of symptoms, just want to be safe.

Is anyone aware of ways that I can get tested before symptoms start to show?

TIA

Got a test from my local hospital sexual health clinic.
Tested for HIV, syphilis, gonorrhoea and chlamydia.
Only cost was if I needed a certificate.