Despite punting for a few years now, I'm ashamed to say that I did not start getting tested for STIs until relatively recently.
I guess it is a mixture of laziness and complacency, bearing in mind that I never really had any symptoms, I don't do bareback with anybody and occasionally have OWO/CIM.
However, it's best to be safe than sorry, all round.
TestsThere are some real scare stories elsewhere on here.
Firstly, that they scrape the inside of your mouth for a sample.
Secondly - and more disturbingly - that a swab is inserted into your Jap's Eye.
Neither of these are involved in the standard tests for basic STIs that I had, which involved:
- Urine sample. You go to a toilet to fill a tube, making sure you get the initial burst. NB Don't go for a piss at least 2 hours before the test because signs of gonorrhea can be temporarily washed away.
- Blood test
- Collecting saliva at the back of your mouth using a long cotton wool bud.
These test you for:
- Gonorrhea
- Clamydia
- HIV
- Syphillis
I guess whether they test for anything else depends on any symptoms - and people being honest about them.
Results take 10-14 days to be done, usually by text, though up to you. If clear, it says all results are clear and that's from RBH health advisers.
Personally, I abstain from sex for 2 weeks before tests, to allow any symptoms to show up, though it can longer in theory, for a STI to be detectable.
Plus, I also abstain from sex until I get my results.
It may be a month without sex, but I prefer to be cautious. Each to their own.
They say - obviously - you shouldn't have unprotected sex while you are waiting for tests and, bearing in mind STIs can be passed through unprotected oral, that 's worth taking into consideration.
If you have sex with "sex workers", as the staff describe then, then they will give you a double Hepatitis injection - Hepatitis B because you go with sex workers and Hepatitis A if you go down on them, according to one doctor I saw. You need to get these done again after a month, yet again after another month, and a final dose a year after the first. They will then test to see if the vaccine has been accepted by your body.
Staff:Generally friendly and non judgmental, though they are fairly busy, so they can seem fairly brusque at times. One nurse was practically throwing free condoms at me.
Others don't, but it's the sort of place, if you ask them, I'm sure they will give some to you.
Reception staff are brusque but fine.
Location:Reading's NHS GUM clinic is run by the Royal Berks Hospital at 21a Craven Road. Entrance is on the other side of this road from the main entrance to the RBH, but not right opposite so fairly discreet. There aren't many people walking up and down and it's a bit out of the way.
It's based in the same centre as family planning and breast screening, so not just people going there to get STI tests.
There is paid-for parking at the main part of the Royal Berks, but there is free on-street parking in Erleigh Road round the corner, for 2 hours, which should be long enough.
There is a TV on and some, rather uninteresting magazines (no Razzle, I'm afraid!). I do find it funny seeing other people all there purely because they have sex and thinking about who they've been shagging (I know, but it fills the time).
There are occasionally a couple of nice girls (is it wrong to chat up a girl at a GUM clinic?) but we all keep ourselves to ourselves.
Procedure:The Florey is open 6 days a week, 7am-7pm Mon-Fri and 9.30-11.30am Saturday.
There is the odd hour when it's only for certain groups, but check with the website.
You can make an appointment, though it is a walk-in service. You usually wait no more than 1hr, though Mondays are very busy.
(Probably all those teenagers shitting themselves after their weekend drunken antics!
)
Even Saturday was not too all that busy, but the doctor was very rushed and did not take saliva swab, though did have a good check of my genitalia.
When you go in to reception, you fill out a form, giving your contact details, any symptoms and brief 'yes' and 'no' about recent sexual history.
Privacy:Because I am single and am not very good at subterfuge, I give them my real name, address and phone number, but you may wish to consider the following precautions particularly if you have a partner. They need details to contact you and get money from the Government.
- Give them your first name and age (makes it easier and age can be relevant) but not your surname
- A false address (there are false ones suggested on the internet). They text, rather than write to you, if you select this, but it might be a case of being safer than sorry if you don't want the missus picking up a letter from the RBH on the doorstep.
- Your punting phone number.
Would I return?Well, yes, because I punt with 'sex workers' and it's the responsible thing to do. If you haven't got yourself tested so far, I urge you to do so.
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