STD & HIV Test (also anonymously)
About
The examples for STDs are chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, HIV, hepatitis B, trichomonas, genital herpes, genital warts and crab louse and are transmitted via unprotected sexual contact. Some STDs go without symptoms, while some may cause serious health problems.
HIV
HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus, a retrovirus that causes the whole spectrum of infections known as Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome or AIDS. HIV interferes with the immune system and opens the path for all kinds of common and opportunistic infections which rarely affect healthy individuals. It is transmitted during unprotected sexual contact via infected blood, semen or vaginal fluids, via infected hypodermic needles at e.g. drug abusers or from mother to child during pregnancy, delivering or breastfeeding. HIV infection is not curable and has serious consequences if not treated. The successful treatment with different medications may make virus untraceable in the blood and noncontagious for the others.
General Medicial Practice de Makroon offers PrEP treatments.
Target group
Target groups for STD/HIV test
- Individuals or their partners belonging to the risk groups (see below)
- Persons engaging in unprotected sex
- Individuals with symptoms indicating STD infection
- People starting new relation
Risk groups
- Young sexually active individuals under age of 25
- Individuals with frequent sexual contact with multiple partners
- Men who have sex with men
- Commercial sex workers and their clients
- People with STD’s history
- People originating or coming from the areas with high STD risk (Suriname, Dutch Antilles, Turkey, Morocco, Africa, South America, Eastern Europe)
The procedure
Which test has to be performed depends of the type of STD.
Urine tests and sample collection from vagina or penis, anus and throat are done in case of chlamydia and gonorrhea.
Blood tests are performed in case of syphilis, HIV and hepatitis B.
In case of trichomonas, urine test is performed for men and test of vaginal lubrication for women.
Genital herpes and warts and crab louse do not require any test as they are visible by naked eye.
Before any test is done, you are required to answer a number of questions about your sexual life and sexual partners.
Results
The results are available within few days and you may be informed about them by phone, an e-mail or, if desired, in consultation in our practice. Positive results (the existence of STD is confirmed) will require a separate consultation in order to discuss the adequate treatment.
If not anonymous, the costs for STD/HIV test are not excluded from your obligatory deductible. However, if you require an anonymous test, the costs have to be fulfilled in our practice and depend of the type of STD test.
Hepatitis B vaccination
Hepatitis B is an acute liver infection caused by Hepatitis B virus. In our Amsterdam Travel Clinic in Makroon Medical Center you can obtain an anti-Hepatitis B vaccine, which is given in three shots over the period of time.
Read more information about Hepatitis B and the vaccination (in Dutch).