STI Clinics in Ireland (list in first post updated 10/08/2010)

Nevyn

crotalus667 wrote: »

That’s what I am trying to do but I need to see go asap so if I cant confirm their open I might just have to risk it chance it that they are

Lift up the phone and ring and ask.

crotalus667

Thaedydal wrote: »

Lift up the phone and ring and ask.

I did, a couple of times before I posted my op , no one answered the telephone any ways I tried again this after noon and spoke to a very helpful guy who informed me that thy where open Monday am so it looks like I will be on the first train in to town on Monday morning

AARRRGH

Hey you might find this interesting - a friend of mine went to the James' clinic today. He was there at 6.30 in the morning and was first in line.

It turns out the people who stroll in at 9 and 9.30 were seen before him. As they don't have a 'waiting number' they go straight into the clinic instead of having to wait in the waiting room. He says the people who arrived after him were seen before him, and he was seen last! Yep, first in, last out...

So don't bother with the arriving a few hours early nonsense.

crotalus667

AARRRGH wrote: »

Hey you might find this interesting - a friend of mine went to the James' clinic today. He was there at 6.30 in the morning and was first in line.

Emmm nope he wasn’t I was second inline (got there at 6:10) and a girl was first (there was a guy that got there about 6:30 he was forth I think , a lot of people did not have to take a number because they came in for other reasons than the sti clinic (they run a hiv clinic , vaccinations clinic and afaik they take a few people by appointment and they also handel general infectious diseases ) a lot of these people where in the main area before everyone else started to get registered . I was out of there in just under 6 (that’s including queuing up time) hours and a lot of the people where still waiting to be seen (I had to wait for pillimanary result’s) there where 25 numbers up for grabs and there was a nurse in charge of allowing anymore to be handed out (they seemed to do this to special cases , I was told on the phone when I doubted I would be able to get there on time because of my circumstances regaurding why i was going there I would still get to see some one).

The way it seems to work is although you are registered in the order you come in , your file is allocated to a specific doctor so you get seen when that doctor gets threw the others in front of you in his pile ,I was number 2 but number 3 could have been before me to see the same doc because there where 3 people registering us, some doctors definitely seemed to be faster than other’s ( I saw a very nice female doctor who was excellent , a prime example of the type of person you want working in the clinic)

If you want to be seen relatively quickly I suggest that any one going gets there before 6:45 that’s when the cue seemed to explode after 7:15 any one coming was at the end of the cue alternatively if your not in a hurry to be seen they do see people by appointment (I’m not sure what the waiting time is but if you are just getting a check up a few weeks wont matter)

AARRRGH

I just spoke to my friend and apparently you have side burns. Yeah he was next to you.

He says he chatted to one person who arrived late and they didn't have an appointment, so maybe the nurses do let people in on a case by case basis. They still got seen before him though!

crotalus667

AARRRGH wrote: »

I just spoke to my friend and apparently you have side burns.

Yeah I do their still cool right ?? (I hope they are because every time I cut them they grow back:p)

MonkeyBalls

Unregistered wrote: »

were you examined by a nurse or by dr freedman?

if a nurse, were they male or female?

is teh doc young or old?

id much prefer to be seen by a middle aged male doc rather than a younger one or a female one

1. Examined by Dr Freedman.

2. No nurse. I only met the secretary - an attractive young woman - and Dr Freedman. Actually there was an older woman who passed through the waiting room for a second, think she was a nurse. Meh.

3. He's in his 40s, I suppose.

Any other questions, fire them my way.

LegacyUser

Who ever that person is requesting details about that girls 'big mistake' you ought to be ashamed of yourself Im a health professional and You're exploiting her ignorance as you there is no such statistic as a '0.1% chance of HIV transmission unless homosexual or IV drug user' - that is ignorant stigmatism! Also you most certainly dont need to know where it happened etc etc.
My advice would be you cannot take any chances when it comes to your health, unprotected sex of any form carries associated risks. Go to your nearst GUM clinic and you are not obliged to answer questions which make you feel uncomfortable.
Be good!!!

AARRRGH

Unregistered wrote: »

Who ever that person is requesting details about that girls 'big mistake' you ought to be ashamed of yourself Im a health professional and You're exploiting her ignorance as you there is no such statistic as a '0.1% chance of HIV transmission unless homosexual or IV drug user' - that is ignorant stigmatism! Also you most certainly dont need to know where it happened etc etc.

If you're a 'professional' you should know the statistic for heterosexual transmission is indeed in the 0.1% to 0.01% range. Look up the "Padian" study for proof of this.

LegacyUser

Been to James' and Dr. Freedman! All clear on both counts. Still have small problem which is obviously now not related to a sti. Can anyone recommend a good "willy doctor" in the Dublin area?

LegacyUser

ok,
had a drunken 1 night stand last week
I'm mid 20s, as was she.
It was unprotected
I was tested beforehand and clean.
since then I've had an occasional very mild pain in opening of my penis, and occasional slight itch around testicles.
Could symptoms show that soon, and what could it be? Or could it be mostly due to stress and panicking about it? Would a test this soon be conclusive or would I have to wait a while? Id prefer to clear my stress now and get it over with.

Zaph

Unregistered wrote: »

ok,
had a drunken 1 night stand last week
I'm mid 20s, as was she.
It was unprotected
I was tested beforehand and clean.
since then I've had an occasional very mild pain in opening of my penis, and occasional slight itch around testicles.
Could symptoms show that soon, and what could it be? Or could it be mostly due to stress and panicking about it? Would a test this soon be conclusive or would I have to wait a while? Id prefer to clear my stress now and get it over with.

We cannot give out medical advice here, your best bet is to go to your GP or to an STI clinic. They'll be able to tell you conclusively without you relying on guesswork from unqualified strangers on the internet.

LegacyUser

Hi zaph,
thanks, I know medical advice is a no no generally on here, I was just wondering if anyone could give me an idea if theres any point in getting tested now and thinkin I'm all clear, then being caught out in a few weeks. also, because im so stressed about it, id really prefer to get it out of the way asap. if it was gonorhea I'd be happy out, knowing I can get rid of it, but something like herpes will have huge repercussions for me, because I drunkenly cheated. I'm pretty ashamed and want to get this sorted now before it goes any further. As far as I can see, my area (limerick) the clinic is the only option, and waiting list is pretty bad. I was there before though, and they managed to bump me in for an appointment that day due to a cancellation or something.

Zaph

There's always a point in getting tested if you have drunken unprotected sex. Whatever about the moral aspect of cheating, you owe it to yourself to put your mind at ease, and even more so to your partner before you have sex with them again in case you have picked up something and you infect them.

crotalus667

Go and get tested now , explain your situation to the doc and they will tell you if you need to come back for further tests (the HIV one afaik needs to be repeated 3 months after the fact) , if you look at the first page of this thread you will see a link to an NHS website that is very helpful , but the main reason you need to get tested asap is that not all sti’s will present symptoms in everyone so you could have some thing and not know it until you are suffering the long term compactions of it

AARRRGH

Unregistered wrote: »

ok,
had a drunken 1 night stand last week
I'm mid 20s, as was she.
It was unprotected
I was tested beforehand and clean.
since then I've had an occasional very mild pain in opening of my penis, and occasional slight itch around testicles.
Could symptoms show that soon, and what could it be? Or could it be mostly due to stress and panicking about it? Would a test this soon be conclusive or would I have to wait a while? Id prefer to clear my stress now and get it over with.

It really could be anything - from simple irritation to a bacterial infection to chlamydia.

Just go get tested and find out for sure.

Also, don't beat yourself up, everyone does silly things every now and then when they're drunk. It's human.

LegacyUser

thanks for the replies, rang today and made an appointment, originally they wanted to give me 2 weeks time, but i asked nicely and she bumped me up to next week. I asked was there a private doctor i could see in the area sooner and she said she wasnt allowed to recommend any and to that end didnt know of any. Pretty annoying that the health service wont give out that info, there seems to be a huge veil of secrecy about where to go!

Either way, another week of stress, and a week after that waiting the results. Symptoms seem to have subsided today, maybe it is just nerves.

AARRRGH

I've been to James' for testing before, but I can't remember the answer to this question, so I'm hoping one of you can help me.

A friend of mine went to James' over two weeks ago for testing. He thinks they said they would ring him with results in two weeks. Well, it's been more than two weeks.

Should he have gotten a call anyway, or do they only ring if there's a problem?

Thanks

LegacyUser

Hi
I have had Herpes for around the last 7/8 years. My doctor diagnosed it and referred me to my local STI Clinic for treatment. I've read in this thread people saying you get diagnosed through a blood test? That's news to me.They've told me in the clinic that for them to diagnose it as definitely being Herpes they have to take a swab when it's at it's worst. But I can't predict when I'll get it and when I do by the time I get an appointment in the clinic it's usually nearly gone. They said there's tablets I can take to basically make it dormant so I'll rarely get it but they won't prescribe them to me until they can get a swab. I know the tablets wouldn't get rid of it but it would be good not to get the 'episodes' so often.

crotalus667

They told me that they would ring me in about 2 weeks (3 max) if there was some thing wrong, or if I was worried I could ring them , I did ring them just to be on the safe side (I’m the sort of person that gets paranoid that I got lost in paper work) tell your friend if they want to ring don’t ring the front desk they ring the Health Advisors: (01) 416 2101 and they will ask for your friends patient Number (it’s on the appointment card they give out when you check in)

LegacyUser

Does anyone know if University Docs can do anything with warts? Can your GP freeze them off? I think I have one, I will go to a doctor but would just like to know if a doctor (college one of normal GP) can "fix" warts?

Thanks

peter4532

I think it's great you have listed all those clinics. I know of another one Smithfirld Community Clinic just off the Luas red line ( Heart of city ). See u very quickly, and its a full STI screen for 120 euro. Nice place, clean environment. I think it's great. It's in XpressMed in the Charter Medical Building.. Anyway, hours are 7 days a week, it's a walk in service. 8 am to 8pm Mon-Fri and Sat-Sun 10am to 8pm.

I hope this helps someone.


Peter

LegacyUser

Ok, I was stupid tonight. Hooked up for a blowjob with a guy I do not know, he didn't want to wear a condom but I gave him the BJ anyway. I know I'm clean, but at the same time not knowing him I'm worried I may have caught something.

Can't attend tomorrow's walk in at the clinic, but can on Tuesday (from 1PM-5PM). Would anyone advise turning up early to get seen, or would showing up at 1 be fine?

crotalus667

Unreggy wrote: »

Can't attend tomorrow's walk in at the clinic, but can on Tuesday (from 1PM-5PM). Would anyone advise turning up early to get seen, or would showing up at 1 be fine?

The place get’s packed and they have limited time I’d say be there by at least 12 , ring the front desk in the morning and ask them what they recommend and then turn up a half hour before that


Ps

If you’re a guy the gay mens health clinic is open all day Tuesday’s (AFAIK)

LegacyUser

Unregistered wrote: »

Who ever that person is requesting details about that girls 'big mistake' you ought to be ashamed of yourself Im a health professional and You're exploiting her ignorance as you there is no such statistic as a '0.1% chance of HIV transmission unless homosexual or IV drug user' - that is ignorant stigmatism! Also you most certainly dont need to know where it happened etc etc.
My advice would be you cannot take any chances when it comes to your health, unprotected sex of any form carries associated risks. Go to your nearst GUM clinic and you are not obliged to answer questions which make you feel uncomfortable.
Be good!!!

I assume this post is directed towards me as I post using the name "gistered" sometimes providing advice.

I don't believe for one minute that you are a healthcare professional. But if you are, You are not an STI/Infectious disease/HIV specialist.

Irrespective of what you say about my post, you have contradicted three of the greatest know facts regarding HIV:

1. Despite recent inreases in the transmission rates between apparent heterosexual individuals, the fact remains that there is a 0.1% chance (or less) on average when it comes to unprotected vaginal sex with an exclusively hetero partner, non IV Drug user from an industrialised country. In fact, according to WHO statistics it can be seen commercial sex workers operating within regulated countries such as Germany, Holland and North America have similar rates of HIV infection as the general population. Which is a good indicator that safer sex, education and controlled and regulated environments (to name but a few) ensure that HIV rates remain low. So even in perceived higher risk, heterosexual groups the rates of transmission are very small. Although, I think it is fair to say that everyone with a real interest in the topic wish that HIV transmission rates where non-existent.

2. It is not "ignorant stigma" to say that those of homosexual (males) persuasion.or those that are IV drug users. It is an unfortunate fact due to a variety of reasons. Primarily simple anatomy - anal sex being ten times more efficient for the transmission of HIV to the bottom partner (1 in 100 chance) compared to vaginal sex which carries an average transmission rate of 1 in 1,000 for the female partner. There are many other factors also involved such as historic ignorance, risk taking and promiscuity often practices by gay males.

3. "You most certainly don't need to know where it happened" - if you were an STI specialist or even remotely educated on STI facts you would know that sub-saharan Africa, has the largest rates of HIV in the world. Other non-industrialised countries such as in Eastern Europe, Russia have a higher rate of HIV than industrialised countries. You don't have to go to far to discover this kind of information.

Finally, away from the stats and onto a more personal note. You will see from all of my posts that while I advise on the important risk factor elements, treatment options for non-HIV STIs etc... I always advise that the individual seek the services of an STI Specialist and I advise on the most appropriate timing for such consultation.

But thanks for your input

LegacyUser

Unregistered wrote: »

Does anyone know if University Docs can do anything with warts? Can your GP freeze them off? I think I have one, I will go to a doctor but would just like to know if a doctor (college one of normal GP) can "fix" warts?

Thanks

My advice as someone who has had warts. Go to Derek Freedman in Raneleigh or a STI clinic. GPs and wellwoman clinic will use an aerosol spray of liquid nitrogen which is not powerful enough in my opinion. A clinic I went to in a hospital recently the STD doctor referred to it as "a toy". He used a paramilitary looking contraption that fired out jets of liquid nitrogen(hurt more but got rid of my warts) Before him I went to Freedman, he uses liquid nitrogen taken straight from a cannister applied with a cotton swab, also worked well, would have went back to him but moved country.

Genital warts is not a serious condition but its difficult to get rid. I'd very seriously recommend you go to a clinic or a STI specialist rather than your GP

Clinics tend to be free and Dr. Freedman is covered by health insurance for warts treatment.

Just make sure you act quickly, they spread fast and removal can leave scars.

LegacyUser

I'm not sure, but I have 2 what seem like spots or ingrown hairs down at the shaft of my penis, just where it meets the body. As the skin is relatively soft there, and there are many hair folicles, they don't seem to go away. Me being a fool, squeezed them, and it was like squeezing a spot, or ingrown hair. However, they never seem to heal properly, there's always a scar/lump of skin/scar tissue, and more often than not, the spot, or what look like blackheads come back. There's no pain, or itchiness, it hasn't spread anywhere. They looked like they were going away, then there was another ingrown hair that brought it back. I dunno. I was going to try some manukah honey or acne cream. I don't think they are anything sexually related. I haven't had inprotected sex, but I'm really not sure....

Zaph

Unregistered wrote: »

I'm not sure, but I have 2 what seem like spots or ingrown hairs down at the shaft of my penis, just where it meets the body. As the skin is relatively soft there, and there are many hair folicles, they don't seem to go away. Me being a fool, squeezed them, and it was like squeezing a spot, or ingrown hair. However, they never seem to heal properly, there's always a scar/lump of skin/scar tissue, and more often than not, the spot, or what look like blackheads come back. There's no pain, or itchiness, it hasn't spread anywhere. They looked like they were going away, then there was another ingrown hair that brought it back. I dunno. I was going to try some manukah honey or acne cream. I don't think they are anything sexually related. I haven't had inprotected sex, but I'm really not sure....

I'm going to state the obvious, but the only advice anyone here can give you is to go and see your GP or visit your local STI clinic. Nobody here is qualified to provide you with medical advice or a diagnosis, which is why giving medical advice is banned on Boards, however your GP/clinic is.

LegacyUser

crotalus667 wrote: »

The place get’s packed and they have limited time I’d say be there by at least 12 , ring the front desk in the morning and ask them what they recommend and then turn up a half hour before that


Ps

If you’re a guy the gay mens health clinic is open all day Tuesday’s (AFAIK)

Yeah, I'm gay. Unfortunately, I just had so much work to hand into today in college that I couldn't go. I'm pretty far from St. James' so anytime I'd have to go I'd nearly near a six hour block of free time, which isn't gonna happen with exams right now. Would my college doctor be able to give me advice or even do an STI test? I've not really shown anything abnormal since, but I just really want peace of mind.

crotalus667

Unregistered wrote: »

Would my college doctor be able to give me advice or even do an STI test?

I don’t know but I’d say he would just point you in the direction of the sti clinic

Unregistered wrote: »

I've not really shown anything abnormal since, but I just really want peace of mind.

In that case ring up St James guide clinic Appointments/ Reception: (01) 416 2315/6 and ask for an appointment ,they usually do them on Friday’s it will be at least a few weeks before they can see you so your exams will be out of the way , they are really nice people in there ,

LegacyUser

she refused sex with condom cuase she said she gets a reaction from the material and im annoyed now becuase i have no symptoms of anything but may have given myself anything.

Non latex condoms are available.
Lambskin and Polyurethane are the alternatives.
Lambskin (IIRC) does not offer as much protection as latex (but still better than nothing)
Polyurethane is better but expensive.

went through the gruelling ordeal of getting tested today at james'. Booked an appointment 2 months ago, which only allows you to be seen on the day. You take a ticket and wait 3-4 hours to be seen, then once through you get the eye of your penis scraped by a female doctor, blood taken, and urine sample given. Then, wait for it, you only get a phone call in 2-3 weeks if they have bad news. How bloody stupid is that? I'm going to be terrified every time my phone starts ringing in the coming weeks! Shocked at the system!!!!

Following a recent accident involving a slipped condom I decided that (for the sake of potential future partners as much as my own) getting myself checked out would be a pretty responsible course of action.

So I went to the Royal Hospital (Belfast) today. Wanted to make an appointment but its advertised (on their website) as a "drop in" service so naively assumed that’s what it was and took a half day off work and showed up 20 minutes before. their afternoon session only to be told that one actually has to "drop in" before 8.30 in the morning and might have to wait around all day and even then there was no guarantee that I would be seen that day.

As Im one of those bizzare freaks who actually has to work for a living taking a full day off (not to mention travelling to Belfast) on the off -chance that I MIGHT be seen is not an option.

Asked about other clinics in Northern Ireland was told there were other clinics in Newry Coleraine and (London)Derry phoned them up to try and get an appointment. Got an answering machine for Newry, a recorded announcment for Coleraine saying they basically had a similar setup (although on the plus side they were opening one evening per week) and for Stroke city one can book an appointment but only up to 48 hours in advance and all their appointments are booked up for the next 48 hours.I was advised to “call back early on Friday” (problem is Im supposed to give three days notice when booking time off work).

Seemingly the powers that be go out of their way to make being responsible and doing the right thing as difficult and inconvenient as humanely possible. Of course given the stigma and embarrassment factor surrounding these services few people are going to be prepared to kick up a stink about this appalling set of affairs but Im beginning to wonder is this system set up by Jesus freaks in order to punish us “sinners” ??

Anyway would I be better off just going to my own GP Will he be equipped to do the full range of tests or will he just end up referring me back to the gawdamn Royal ?

LegacyUser

Unregistered wrote: »

ok,
had a drunken 1 night stand last week
I'm mid 20s, as was she.
It was unprotected
I was tested beforehand and clean.
since then I've had an occasional very mild pain in opening of my penis, and occasional slight itch around testicles.
Could symptoms show that soon, and what could it be? Or could it be mostly due to stress and panicking about it? Would a test this soon be conclusive or would I have to wait a while? Id prefer to clear my stress now and get it over with.

me again. finally had my test this morning. ugh, waiting around is mortifying. Perhaps seperate male and female sittings would be better, I'm pretty sure my GFs cousin arrived in.

was told i have 14 days, no call within then and I'm fine. Olne I'm actually worried about now more than any is the throat swab, as I still have a sore throat for the last few weeks.

Time will tell i guess. anyone know the stats on likelyhood of passing on infection from kissing?

LegacyUser

So guys i havent tme to read through the entire thread,but is there any FREE walk in clinics? I cant afford 120euros to go that smithfieild one....

And are they always packed?

crotalus667

Unregistered wrote: »

I'm pretty sure my GFs cousin arrived in.

Pffffft dont worry about it , whats done is done , you had to get tested it was just bad luck/timeing

Unregistered wrote: »

anyone know the stats on likelyhood of passing on infection from kissing?

Low or high depending on what type of infection your talking about , don’t worry about it you’ll find out soon enough

crotalus667

Unregistered wrote: »

So guys i havent tme to read through the entire thread,but is there any FREE walk in clinics? I cant afford 120euros to go that smithfieild one....

St James guide clinic , the gay mens health clinic

Unregistered wrote: »

And are they always packed?

Yes they are you will need to get there about 1-2 hours before they open

Mrmoe

What places in Limerick city do STI screening for men? I have got it done a few years back in the regional but I know people working there now and I would like to avoid it if possible, preferably a free STI clinic.

LegacyUser

I don't know much about limerick as I don't live in the city but like yourself had fears of running into some one I knew and went to Cork instead to the Victoria Hospital and got tested and got the all clear last year. I got tested again this year in Tralee and the waiting time was 3 weeks, Tralee actually are more rigorous in their tests as I got throat swabs for Gonorrhoea there but not in Cork.

In Cork it is in a remote part of the basement and in Tralee it is in a quite out of the way wing also so chances of seeing someone you actually know are slim unless they are there themselves and if they are they are hardly going to go broadcasting that are they!

Getting tested in nothing to be ashamed of and it shows you are in control of your sexual health and acting in a mature responsible manner. I manage by always always using Condoms and getting tested frequently (twice in last 9 months) I have had several partners so I am as careful as I can outside actual abstinence.

I cannot stress the importance of condoms enough and they offer your best protection bar celibacy. www.guide2guide.ie has the phone numbers of the different clinics nationwide and the Tralee and Cork ones are Free anyway. I am also going to get the Hepatitis Vaccine as it can be spread via sexual contact and it allows you to reduce some risk by getting vaccinated at least.

Mike 1972

I don't live in the city but like yourself had fears of running into some one I knew

Why would this be an issue ?

They might see you ?

But then again you would see them

And what are they doing there eh ?

one can book an appointment but only up to 48 hours in advance and all their appointments are booked up for the next 48 hours.

Nice way of dealing with the problem of waiting lists eh ?

Of course given the stigma and embarrassment factor surrounding these services few people are going to be prepared to kick up a stink about this appalling set of affairs

Any public health service which deals with problems around which there is a social stigma (Mental Health, Addiction etc) tends to have similar issues

but Im beginning to wonder is this system set up by Jesus freaks in order to punish us “sinners” ??

Dont attribute to malice that which can be more readily explained by incompetence.

b28

sti clinics are handy, but your doc can do a full test aswell! never be too ashamed to ask your doc if you don't feel like going to a clinic with people waiting for the same thing as you!
There are no awareness campaigns after school or in advertising about stis!
I mean pregnancy is the one we see on tv, but is getting aids less important than getting pregnant!!
In canada they advertise Hepatitis vaccines on TV and make you aware how its contacted, Ireland doesn't!

LegacyUser

Hi,
Sorry if this has been addressed in the thread but I cant find it. I am probably being paranoid and mad, but can you get an STD from recieving a blowjob without protection?

Just ive been seeing a girl on and off casually, havnt done much except a bj there a month or so ago but she swallowed there and then (wasnt expecting that!) and she admitted that she has been with at least 50 men and always swallows (shes 25). I have no symptoms or anything like that just being paranoid i guess (always use protection for doing the deed)

Thanks

LegacyUser

Unregistered wrote: »

can you get an STD from recieving a blowjob without protection?

IIRC the risk is low but its still possible (open to correction)

Anyway after last weeks unsuccessful attempt at getting seen in the Royal in Belfast I tried the evening walk in service at Coleraine. Official registration time is 5pm Showed up at around 4.15 to be told come back in 4:30. No hassle I got registered a bit of waiting around (it’s actually a very good idea to bring a book with you) but I was out of there by 6:30pm. A lot (12-15 possibly more) of other people showed up after 5pm (well after in some cases) but as far as I could tell most (all ?) of them were seen.

Therere is a form to be filled out They ask name address DOB and who your GP is but there's a box you can tick if you don’t want them to inform your GP. They also ask for name and DOB of your current partner and some race./monitoring stuff but you don’t have to answer these) . You’re given a reference number and from then on you’re referred to as "Male (or female) "VW/XYZ" (except the doctor who calls you by your first name)

The doctor asks a few more questions
Is there any particular reason you’re here (i.e. symptoms or just a check-up)?
Current medications/allergies etc?
Have you ever been vaccinated against Hepatitis B or C (and so when/why and was it one or three injections)
When was the last time you had sex (and what protection if any did you use?)
Was it locally or abroad (what country)?
Have you ever paid for sex?
Any history of homosexual contact?

They then do a urine test (you’re asked not to pass water for two hours before attending) a swab test (They had some other name for this but I cant remember) and a nurse takes a blood sample.(For HIV, Syphilis and Hepatitis) think there might be some extra tests if there is any male homosexual history but not 100% sure on that one.

Contrary to all the urban myths/horror stories the swab test WAS NOT painful. Although it was a tad uncomfortable/unpleasant but its only really lasted a couple of seconds. I did feel a bit funny down there though (and still do now a few hours later) but TBH its probably psychosomatic (I am a tad squeamish)

Some of the results were available within a few minutes. Others take a couple of weeks. (I was given a card with a date/time and phone number along with my "secret" identifying code number to quote -TBH I thought they were going a wee bit OTT with this confidentiality/anonymity stuff but I can understand why a lot of people like it that way. In theory one could even give them a false name/address but again that’s going a bit OTT)

Anyway my test showed "traces" of Chlamydia. so I got given four antibiotic tablets and a cup of water. They seemed to prefer if I took them there and then in front of the doctor (probably a precaution against antibiotic misuse but actually quite sensible) I have to call back in two weeks for the other test results. I was told they would say "positive" for Chlamydia but It was okay to ignore that as Id already been treated for it. I asked should I get another blood test in three months (to allow for incubation periods etc) and was told it was no problem if I really wanted to make sure (Of course I do !).

Anyway an STI test at the GUM clinic is definitely something a lot more people should be doing more often. However from what I saw back in Belfast the system would really struggle to cope if they all did ????

NotSureToLive

Ok so here is my question.

Say i go to have a sti check today, and i wait two weeks for my results, and i get the good news that im all clear.

This still means that i could possibly have hiv, Although i have been told that i am clean from it, i still might have it.

The exam only tells me that in the period older than 3 months i was clean, but any time since i could possibly have picked it up and may have it a month at the time of screening, and still i will get a negative result.

I just cant understand how this is. I mean i realise that they have to wait for your body to respond to the virus and then they test for the antibodies that are produced, but why the hell cant they come up with an exam or a way that will give results as quick as the other tests.

i understand that it would be expensive and that the clinics have to provide a service that will cope with the huge volume of people going but surely the private clinics should introduce a new system of testing:mad:

sorry for venting guys

Mike 1972

but why the hell cant they come up with an exam or a way that will give results as quick as the other tests.

It was actually a massive achievement at the time for them to come up with the HIV antibody test so soon after the discovery of the illness given the knowledge and technology available at the time.

Why cant they "come up with" a better HIV test since then ? O I dunno possibly for the same reason why they haven’t come up with an actual cure or even a vaccine. i.e. that its easier said than done. But then technology will never be able to keep place with peoples expectations. Private clinics can only introduce better systems when those systems actually exist.

sally28

just wondering, how long do you have to usually wait for an appointment with Dr. Freedman?

Jellybabs

Hey guys
just wondering has anyone been to the st.james GUIDE clinic on thursdays for STI testing and what time would they suggest to go am very nervous about going thinking about going this week. i know they only allocate a certain amount of places so wanna get there on time

crotalus667

Jellybabs wrote: »

Hey guys
just wondering has anyone been to the st.james GUIDE clinic on thursdays for STI testing and what time would they suggest to go am very nervous about going thinking about going this week. i know they only allocate a certain amount of places so wanna get there on time

Ring them then ad an hour weight on to what ever time they tell you if you want to be see asap

AARRRGH

Unregistered wrote: »

can you get an STD from recieving a blowjob without protection?

Unregistered wrote: »

IIRC the risk is low but its still possible (open to correction)

The odds are so incredibly low, it's not even worth thinking about, e.g. you're more likely to get killed by a donkey.

da_shivsta

Yea I went for Chlamydia tests, no symptoms, I just decided to do it randomly. I went to the Family Planning Clinic in Galway. It's really not that bad, just a little uncomfortable but that was mostly cuz I was nervous (not going in to detail but being nervous makes it harder for the doc too 9if you're a girl):rolleyes:) so I'm going for results tomorrow which is on my mind the last couple of days but I'd def reccommend going for a check up to anyone.

crotalus667

AARRRGH wrote: »

The odds are so incredibly low, it's not even worth thinking about, e.g. you're more likely to get killed by a donkey.

Errrrrrrrr can any one say EPIC FAIL If your having unprotected oral with some one getting an sti is a very real possibility , and a lot more likely than being killed by a donkey

LegacyUser

so the clinic told me that if i didnt get a call from them in two weeks, that i was clear. anyone gotten a call back and how long after did it come? my two weeks is up thursday. Im wondering can i just ring in and double check to be sure.