Tests & Treatments

Most STIs can be easily treated and diagnosed at Genito-Urinary Medicine (GUM) clinics and may only require a course of the correct antibiotics.

If you think you have an STI, you can refer yourself to any GUM clinic for treatment. The service and treatment is free and completely confidential and if you need treatment, medicine is supplied at the clinic so you won’t have to deal with your doctor or chemist. You GP is not informed without your permission.

Tests for STIs vary. Some involve urine sample, taking swabs from the cervix or tip of the penis, or taking a blood sample. You may also be offered an HIV test but this will only be done if you agree. These results are confidential and can only be got from the clinic. There are more details about where to go, times of clinics, what happens and the procedure involved in individual clinics.