Sexually transmitted infections are infections that are typically spread by vaginal, anal, or oral sex intercourse. There are many STIs that have no symptoms, resulting in the disease being passed on to others. STIs can be transmitted between men and women, women and women, or men and men, and you should be checked as soon as possible if you think you have a STI. The earlier you are checked, the earlier it is likely to start the procedure.
The in person tests are fairly straightforward; a range of questions about your sexual behaviour and how many sexual partners you have will be asked. Men will have their genitals checked, women will have a pelvic exam, and the doctor might take a blood sample, a urine sample, a swab from the inside of the mouth, a swab from the genital region, or a swab from any discharge that occurs, depending on these findings. These samples will be sent to a laboratory and several days later, the findings will follow.
Equally if you would prefer to have the tests done in the comfort of your own home you can contact a Greenwich Home STI kits company such as https://www.greenwichsexualhealth.org/home_sti_kits/ who will send a test to your home that you can complete yourself. This will comprise a swab that you pass inside your genitals as well as a vile that you can use to collect a small blood sample using the finger prick device they send you. Once you have completed the test you send it back to the company and wait for your results.
