Coming to SHAC Information and advice from SHAC Symptoms and other worries

Which tests for infections and other problems can you offer?

We can offer you tests for the following infections/infestations:

• Bacterial vaginosis, BV

• Candida, genital thrush

• Chlamydia

• Genital herpes

• Genital warts

• Hepatitis A

• Hepatitis B

• Hepatitis C

• HIV

• Molluscum contagiosum

• Non-specific cervicitis

• Non-specific urethritis

• Pubic lice

• Scabies

• Syphilis

• Trichomonas vaginalis, TV

• We can also offer girls and women a pregnancy test

 

What tests will I be offered?

After the doctor has talked with you about your problem, you might be asked if you agree to be examined in your genital region, 'down below'. The doctor will discuss with you what tests might be useful to look for infections or other problems. We will go with you to a private room where we have everything to hand to do any tests. You don't have to have any tests or treatment if you don't want them.

 

 

 

What is a screening test?

Screening tests are offered to people who do not have obvious symptoms to see if there are any hidden problems. You don't have to have any tests or treatments if you don't want them.

 

 

 

Will I need to give a urine sample?

We can do some useful tests on your urine. Some of these tests are only done, or are best done when you haven't passed water for 2–3 hours. We look for any discharge in the waterpipe, if you pee you wash this away. If you can 'cross your legs' for this time before we see you it will help us to find any infections you may have. We will ask you to collect a sample of your urine after any examinations or other tests. You don't need to bring a urine sample with you.

 

 

 

Should I go to the toilet beforehand?

If you have urinated recently, within three hours, it can wash away some of the infections that we might need to test for. For this reason, it is best if you don't urinate during the three hours before seeing us.

 

 

For boys and men

 

What sort of examination will I be offered?

If we think it will be useful the doctor will carefully examine your genital area. The doctor will gently examine your penis and feel for any lumps in your testicles. If you have had oral or anal sex we might have a look in your mouth and or anus too. We will then decide what tests to do. You don't have to have any tests or treatment if you don't want them.

 

 

 

What sort of tests will I be offered?

If we think it will be useful, we will carefully take some small samples by taking a swab using either soft foam or cotton wool so that we can test them for infections. These are taken from just inside the urethra where infections can hide. We might also take a similar sample from your mouth, throat or anus if we think it will be useful. You don't have to have any tests or treatment if you don't want them.

 

 

For girls and women

 

What sort of examination will I be offered?

If we think it will be useful, the doctor will carefully examine your genital area, between your legs. Often we will ask to examine your lower abdomen (tummy) too. If you have had oral sex we might have a look in your mouth. We will then decide what tests to do. You don't have to have any tests or treatment if you don't want them.

 

 

 

What sort of tests will I be offered?

If we think it will be useful we will carefully take some small samples using cotton-wool swabs so that we can test for infections. These swabs can be taken from the vagina, the cervix (the opening to the womb, which is further up the vagina) and the your urethra (the water passage that your urine comes out of).

 

 

 

What is a speculum?

To take swabs from the vagina we usually need to gently use a speculum. This is a small instrument that helps us see things better. It is clean, smooth, warmed, metal and hinged. This procedure should be painless, although it might feel a bit odd. We won't usually suggest using a speculum unless you have already had sex.

 

 

 

Will I be offered a cervical smear?

If we think you need a cervical smear test we will wipe off some covering cells from over the cervix using a little spatula or brush. The National Cervical Screening Programme only starts testing girls and women at age 25, and therefore we only rarely do cervical smears on girls and women below this age unless we think it is necessary.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Back to top