SEXUAL HEALTH - SHOULD I GET TESTED? CLINIC SYDNEY

The decision to get tested for STIs is a personal decision. Your doctor can discuss with you what tests to have based on your sexual history and potential risk for STIs, but the decision of what tests to have remains yours to make.

Some people don't like to get tested because they are concerned about their confidentiality. All health care settings do their best to maintain and protect your privacy and confidentiality. A range of measures are used to protect your confidentiality and the law requires that consultations with your doctor or any health professional are confidential (with some exceptions such as where someone is at risk of seriously harming themselves or somebody else, or if they suspect a young person is being subjected to physical, emotional or sexual abuse).

Before getting tested it may be worth discussing with your doctor the advantages and disadvantages of testing.

Some of the advantages of being tested include:

Effective treatment of the STI and/or ongoing monitoring and management.
Able to make better informed choices about your lifestyle and future plans.
Ease of mind - comfort in knowing with certainty what illness you may or may not have.
If you have HIV, you can treat many STIs and therefore minimise the impact it has on your immune system.
Better able to make decisions about your sexual practice and safe sex strategies. If you have an STI, you can act to protect your sexual partners and tell former partners so they can act.

Some disadvantages of being tested include:

You may become anxious and concerned while waiting for the results.
Some STIs may have implications for your insurance coverage.
Concern about others finding out about your health.
Impact it may have on your partner, friends and family.
You may become stressed or upset when you're informed about your STI testing results.

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