Testing recommendations
Regular testing for HIV and the most important STIs provides clarity – regardless of symptoms. In this way, you stay healthy, protect others from infection and can enjoy sex.
Why test?
People who have sex cannot protect themselves from STIs, because they are easily transmitted. Even condoms do not offer sufficient protection, since the pathogens – except HIV – are also transmitted during kissing, touching and oral sex. The best strategy is testing.
When to test?
There are various reasons to get tested. Always seek advice from a specialist before having expensive tests carried out. A test is not always useful and not for every STI.
I have symptoms
There are many different signs that indicate an infection. Look out for changes in the genital, anal and oral areas, itching, reddening of the skin, pain when urinating or unpleasant odours. Unfortunately, the signs aren’t always clear: flu-like symptoms such as fever or swollen lymph nodes can also be caused by an STI.
If you have symptoms, we recommend that you visit your GP surgery or a sexual health centre. Tests can be carried out there, further clarifications made if necessary and the right treatment prescribed for you.
After talking to a specialist, inform your sexual partners so that they can also be tested. You don’t need to be ashamed of this. STIs do occur, and by telling your sexual partners, you are making an important contribution to preventing further infections.
A partner tested positive
You have been informed that a sexual partner has tested positive for an STI. Visit your GP surgery or a sexual health centre and tell the specialist about the situation. Depending on the STI, a test may only be advisable a few weeks after exposure. If you also test positive, you can treat yourself immediately and prevent further transmissions.
I have no symptoms
It makes sense to undergo regular preventive testing even if you don’t have symptoms.
If there are no symptoms, tests are only recommended for HIV, syphilis, chlamydia, gonorrhoea and hepatitis C. It’s not advisable to be tested for other STIs such as HPV, ureaplasma or mycoplasma without a doctor’s prescription. Many of these tests are either pointless because some STIs are neither dangerous nor treatable, or unnecessary because they are only indicated after other STIs have been ruled out and symptoms are present.
Our recommendations for preventive tests
Not everyone is recommended to undergo the same tests at the same frequency.
Are you having Sex?
We recommend that everyone gets tested for HIV, syphilis, gonorrhoea and chlamydia at the start of a new sexual relationship. If you have changing sexual partners (three or more per year), we recommend an annual test.
Are you a man or trans person and have sex with men?
We recommend a test for HIV, syphilis, gonorrhoea and chlamydia at least once a year, or every six months or quarterly if you have several sexual partners per year. More at www.drgay.ch/test.
Do you pay for sex? Or do you work as a sex worker?
We recommend a test for HIV, syphilis, gonorrhoea and chlamydia every six months.
Do you snort substances (nasally)?
We recommend an annual test for hepatitis C.
Do you inject substances (intravenously)?
We recommend an annual test for HIV and hepatitis C.