STD test London – what do we test for?  - Part II

Find out more about the comprehensive STD test at our London clinic.

Our sexual health screening clinic covers a range of STD tests. London is no different to any other city, and people young and old have sexual encounters that they might regret the following day. If you’re at all concerned, it’s best to get check out as soon as possible. In Part I of our testing guide, we looked at Chlamydia, Gonorrhoea and Mycoplasma/Urea plasma. Here, we concentrate on HIV, Herpes and Syphilis.

• HIV – this potentially fatal disease is not as much of a danger in the UK as it once was. Nevertheless, it would be wrong to conduct a sexual health screening without including an HIV test. There are several ways of testing for the HIV-1 and -2 antibodies. In general, your GP may advise waiting until 3 months after the initial contact before having the test, because it takes that long for the virus to be detected. You can take tests earlier, however – at our STD clinic in London, we can run a test 4 weeks after contact – and even as early as 10 days for HIV-1 infections only. We counsel you through the testing period and we would always recommend that you come back after 3 and 6 months for re-testing. If the test returns a positive result, we can refer you to an HIV specialist for further consultation and treatment.

• Herpes – far less common today than it used to be, Herpes can still cause discomfort and, as a contagious disease, can easily be passed to other sexual partners, which is why we make a Herpes test part of our STD test process. There are two types of Herpes virus; HSV-1, which usually appears as cold sores on the lips and mouth area, and HSV-2 which is most commonly found in the genital area. Someone with a cold-sore can pass Herpes to a partner through oral sex, and the HSV-2 virus can be passed between partners through sexual intercourse. Symptoms include uncomfortable feelings in the genital area, followed by small blisters which turn into ulcers over the next few days or weeks. You could get further outbreaks of Herpes in the future. Always get Herpes infections treated as soon as possible – usually with prescribed antiviral creams or oral medication.

• Syphilis – fortunately, syphilis is rare in the UK, although it is still a problem in Asia and Africa and if you have sexual contact in these areas and come back with the symptoms of syphilis, you should seek treatment as soon as possible. The first two stages of the disease are contagious and include lesions around the infected area and a rash, which may be accompanied by flu-like symptoms. It can be dangerous if ignored, which is why it forms part of our standard STD test. London’s multi-cultural nature and the number of visitors to the capital from Asia and Africa may increase your risk of contracting Syphilis if you don’t practice safe sex.

 

Moorgate Medical is based in the City of London, ideal for individuals and companies who want a professional medical practice on their doorstep. We are approved by the Healthcare Commission and offer a full range of general medical, sexual health, travel and dental services. Our state-of-the-art surroundings, experienced practitioners and competitive pricing makes us the perfect choice for those working and living in and around the City. Call us for an appointment on 0207 256 8668 or fill in our online enquiry form and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

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