STI Testing & Treatment

What happens during the test depends on what STIs are being tested for, and if you have any symptoms. The health professional performing the test will usually ask some questions about your sexual history to determine what tests you require, taking into account any unusual symptoms.

Testing for chlamydia and gonorrhoea involves a urine test or a swab (cotton bud) test which you can take yourself. Sometimes a physical examination is necessary and the health professional may need to take additional swabs.

It is often recommended that you have a blood test to test for other STIs such as HIV, syphilis and Hepatitis B. You can also request a blood test if you think there’s a chance you have one of these infections.

HIV home test kits

Home test kits for STIs and HIV provide a good option for people who won’t or can’t attend at a healthcare setting for testing. HIV testing should be followed up by a health care provider. This allows both a greater accuracy in test results, as well as appropriate, immediate referrals to support services if required.

Read the AFAO‘s HIV Self-test Fact Sheet.

Purchase a HIV Self Test.

If you have any questions about home test kits, please contact our Sexual Health Helpline.

Usually results that are normal (no infection detected) are sent via SMS. But sometimes clients prefer an email, phone call or a letter. The health professional will ask what you prefer.

Results are usually back within 7 days but if you haven’t heard anything after 14 days it’s a good idea to follow up to ensure you know what the results were.

HIV, Syphilis and Hepatitis B can take up to 12 weeks to come up in a blood test after a risk. The health professional should talk to you about any recent risks and when to repeat any testing if needed.

If someone has symptoms, then sometimes the health professional will want you to return for follow up. This is usually to ensure treatment and management has gone as planned.

What is Chlamydia? 

Chlamydia is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI) in Australia. It is caused by a bacteria (Chlamydia trachomatis). Chlamydia affects people of all genders. Most people with chlamydia do not notice symptoms. This means you can pass the infection to a partner without knowing it. Having a regular sexual health check-up can help you find out if you have chlamydia. 

How do you get Chlamydia? 

It is spread by having vaginal, anal and/or oral sex with someone who has chlamydia. Chlamydia can also be passed on by touching the genitals with fingers (if you have infected fluids on your hand) or sharing sex toys. It can be passed on whether your sexual partner/s are the same sex as you or a different sex. 

Prevention 

• Using condoms correctly and consistently for vaginal and/or anal sex. 
• Some STIs are passed on through oral sex. Using condoms or dams is the best way to protect yourself. A dam is a sheet of latex used as a barrier for oral-vaginal or oral-anal sex. 
• Chlamydia does not always show symptoms — so it is important to get tested for STIs before and after unprotected sex, if you have sex with a new person, or the person you have sex with is having sex with other people. 
• If someone you have had sex with tells you that they have chlamydia, you should get tested. In some cases, your clinician will suggest treatment while you wait for the results to come back.  

Symptoms 

Chlamydia infections often have no symptoms, and symptoms can vary depending on the part of the body that has the infection:   

Vagina: Mostly vaginal chlamydia causes no symptoms, which is why it is important to get tested. If symptoms occur, they can include: 

• unusual vaginal discharge 
• abnormal bleeding 
• pain during sex 
• stinging or burning when urinating
• lower abdominal pain.  

Penis/Urethra: Often penile chlamydia causes no symptoms, which is why it is important to get tested. If symptoms occur, they can include: 

• redness at the opening of the penis 
• stinging or burning when urinating 
• discharge from the penis 
• testicular pain. 

Chlamydia can also occur in the anus and throat, often there are no symptoms. If there are, it might feel like a sore throat, or an itchy anus. 

When should you test for chlamydia? 

Testing for chlamydia is done by collecting a urine sample and/or taking a swab from the urethra, vagina, anus and or throat. 

You should have a test for chlamydia if: 

• You have any signs or symptoms of chlamydia (see the list of symptoms above).
• You have had sex without a condom or dam, or have had a new sexual partner since your last STI screening. 
• One of your sexual partners has been diagnosed with chlamydia or another STI. 
• Your sexual partner has had sex with someone who might have chlamydia.  
• You have been diagnosed with another STI. 

Treatment  

Chlamydia is easy to treat. Your clinician will prescribe antibiotics to treat the infection. When treating Chlamydia, it is important to finish the whole course of antibiotics, even if the symptoms get better before all the tablets run out. Make sure to tell your health professional if you are allergic to any antibiotics, or if you could be pregnant.  

To make sure the treatment is most effective, it is important that you don’t have sex at all, not even with a condom, until 7 days after you have finished your antibiotics. Your partner/s needs to be treated too, and our clinicians can help you notify your sexual partner/s that they need to get tested if you do not wish to tell them yourself. 

A follow-up test 3 months after the initial chlamydia treatment is recommended to make sure the infection has not returned. 

What happens if you do not get treatment? 

Chlamydia can cause health complications if not treated. Untreated chlamydia could lead to: 

• Passing the infection onto sexual partner/s — even if there are no symptoms. 
• Pelvic inflammatory disease. 
• Infertility (inability for you or your sexual partner/s to become pregnant). 
• Increased risk of getting or spreading other sexually transmissible infections. 
• Passing of the infection from a pregnant person to their baby. This can make the baby very sick.  

Do I have to tell my sexual partner/s? 

If you have been diagnosed with chlamydia it is important that you let your sexual partner/s know so they can be tested and treated. If your current sexual partner/s are not treated, you could end up with chlamydia again. You can speak to your health care professional if you need help telling your sexual partners.  

What is Gonorrhoea? 

Gonorrhoea is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) which is caused by the bacteria (Neisseria gonorrhoeae) that can infect the urethra, cervix, anus, throat, and eyes.  

How do you get Gonorrhoea? 

Gonorrhoea is passed on from having unprotected sexual contact with someone who has gonorrhoea. Sexual contact can be through vaginal, anal or oral sex.  

Prevention 

• Using condoms correctly and consistently for vaginal and anal sex. Some STIs are passed on through oral sex. Using condoms or dams is the best way to protect yourself. A dam is a sheet of latex used as a barrier for oral-vaginal or oral-anal sex. 
• Gonorrhoea and most other STIs do not cause obvious symptoms — so it is important to get tested for STIs before and after unprotected sex, if you have sex with a new person, or the person you have sex with is having sex with other people. 

Symptoms 

Gonorrhoea infections often have no symptoms, and symptoms can vary depending on the part of the body that has the infection:  

Penis/Urethra: Gonorrhoea infections of the penis are more likely to cause symptoms than gonorrhoea in other parts of the body. Symptoms can include: 

• pain during urination 
• unusual discharge from the penis 
• pain in the testes (balls)  
• redness around the opening of the penis. 

Vagina: Mostly vaginal gonorrhoea causes no symptoms, which is why it is important to get tested. If symptoms occur, they can include: 

• an unusual vaginal discharge  
• pain during urination  
• pelvic pain  
• pain during sex  
• irregular bleeding, such as bleeding in between periods or bleeding after sex.   

Gonorrhoea can also present in other parts of the body.  

Throat: Symptoms of a throat infection might include a sore throat and swollen lymph nodes in the neck. 

Anus: Symptoms can include anal itching, pus-like discharge from the rectum, spots of bright red blood on toilet tissue and having to strain during bowel movements. 

Eyes: Gonorrhoea that affects the eyes can cause eye pain, sensitivity to light, and pus-like discharge from one or both eyes. 

When should you test for gonorrhoea? 

Testing for gonorrhoea is done by collecting a urine sample and/or taking a swab from the urethra, vagina, anus and or throat. 

You should have a test for gonorrhoea if: 

• You have any signs or symptoms of gonorrhoea (see the list of symptoms above), 
• You have had sex without a condom or dam, or have had a new sexual partner since your last STI screening. 
• One of your sexual partners has been diagnosed with gonorrhoea or another STI. 
• Your sexual partner has had sex with someone who might have gonorrhoea.  
• You have been diagnosed with another STI. 

Treatment  

Gonorrhoea is treated with antibiotics. 

Symptoms usually get better within 24 hours. If you are still experiencing symptoms a week after treatment, go back to your doctor, as further treatment may be needed. It is important not to have any sex for one week after treatment (not even sex with a condom or dam).  

The clinician who ordered the test will need to notify the WA Health Department of the infection. This information will not be shared with anyone else, and it is unlikely that the Health Department will need to contact you.  

Do I have to tell my sexual partner/s? 

If you have been diagnosed with gonorrhoea, you will be advised to let your sexual partner/s from the last 6 months know so they can make informed decisions about ways to lower the risk of passing it on and be tested and treated. If your current sexual partner/s are not treated, you could get gonorrhoea again. You can speak to your health care professional if you need help telling your sexual partners.  

What is herpes? 

Herpes is a common skin condition caused by the Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV). There are two strains of the herpes virus both prevalent in Australia, HSV-1 and HSV-2, and both can cause either oral or genital herpes. However, herpes remains widely misunderstood, which can lead to distress for those who are diagnosed.

Oral Herpes: This form most commonly causes cold sores on the lips or face.

Genital Herpes: This form primarily causes sores around the genitals and anus.

How do you get herpes? 

The virus is transmitted via close skin-to-skin contact such as kissing, oral sex, vaginal sex, and anal sex. Transmission is more likely if there are blisters, open sores, cracked skin or rashes. Sometimes it can be spread to others through the delicate skin lining of the anus, mouth, vagina and penis.

The virus can be inactive in the body, and you may be exposed to herpes but not have active symptoms until many years after initial exposure. The first symptoms can occur days or years from initial infection.

As both types of the virus can affect the mouth and genital area, herpes can be passed from mouth to genitals or genitals to mouth. For example, cold sores on the mouth can spread to genitals from oral sex.

You cannot contract or transmit herpes from hugging, toilet seats, swimming pools or sharing eating utensils. Genital herpes can occur even in a long-term monogamous relationship; it does not mean that a partner has recently had sex with another person.

Prevention 

To prevent transmitting herpes, practice safe sex. This could include condoms, dam, finger cots or gloves. Talk to your sexual partner/s and decide together what barrier method will be most effective for you.

Sexual activity should be avoided whist symptoms are present, until sores have healed as the transmission risk is higher during an episode. Avoid any contact with active sores and wash hands thoroughly with soap and water to prevent transmission.

Symptoms 

Most people with herpes will have mild or no symptoms, with a small number experiencing severe symptoms. The first episode is usually the worst.

An episode may start with tingling, numbness, stinging or sensitivity in places such as the mouth, face or genitals. This may be followed by the appearance of painful sores in these areas. Herpes usually looks like small blisters, which burst after a few days, resulting in small red sores. Some people develop flu-like symptoms (e.g., fever, aching muscles, headache). Most herpes episodes last 3-10 days. Time between episodes is variable and affected by a number of factors including stress, hormones, your immune system, smoking and alcohol. For many people, symptoms will return at least once in their lifetime. Identifying herpes can be challenging, as symptoms vary from person to person. If you do notice symptoms, it’s important to consult a healthcare professional.

When should you test for herpes? 

If there are no symptoms, there is no routine test for herpes. If there are symptoms, a clinician can look at the affected area and take a swab, which is then sent to a laboratory for testing.

Blood tests for herpes do not help in making a diagnosis and are generally not recommended.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Herpes has no effect on fertility, but can be a problem if it is transmitted during pregnancy. If the first episode of herpes is less than six weeks before someone is due to give birth, then there is a risk of transmitting herpes to the baby during delivery, and obstetricians may advise delivery by caesarean section. Inform your obstetrician and midwife if you have herpes, so they can manage it through your pregnancy and birth.

Most people in Australia with genital herpes can have vaginal deliveries. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding and considering treatment for an STI or BBV, including herpes, discuss this with your healthcare professional.

Treatment  

While there is no cure for herpes, there are many effective treatments available to help manage symptoms, reduce the likelihood of recurring episodes, and lower the risk of transmission. It’s important to keep healthy, reduce stress, get plenty of sleep and have regular water intake.

A herpes episode will resolve on its own, but antiviral medications can help reduce the length and severity. This medicine is more effective if taken at beginning of the episode.

The following methods may help to manage any pain or discomfort:

• Warm baths
• Pain relief medication (paracetamol and ibuprofen)
• Antiviral creams
• Ice on the affected area
• Rest
• Loose clothing
• Anaesthetic ointments such as lignocaine.

Do I have to tell my sexual partner/s? 

In Western Australia, you are not legally required to tell a sexual partner that you have herpes. If you decide to discuss this, it is OK to feel uncomfortable or have concerns, such as fear of rejection.

Before telling a partner make sure that you inform yourself of the facts about herpes so you can correct any myths. There is no need to feel any shame or embarrassment. There is also a good chance that they may have it as well.

Some people may choose not to tell casual partners, particularly those who avoid sex during an episode and use condoms regularly.

You can speak to your health care professional if you need help telling your sexual partners.  

What is Syphilis? 

Syphilis is a highly infectious sexually transmissible infection (STI) caused by a bacteria (Treponema pallidum). If left untreated, syphilis can cause serious health issues. If found early, it is easily treated.  

How do you get Syphilis? 

Syphilis can be passed on through oral, vaginal, or anal sex, or having skin to skin contact with a syphilis sore. It can also be passed from a pregnant person to the fetus.  

Prevention  

• Using condoms correctly and consistently for vaginal and/or anal sex 
• Syphilis (and other STIs) can be passed on through oral sex. Using condoms or dams is the best way to protect yourself. A dam is a sheet of latex used as a barrier for oral-vaginal or oral-anal sex. 
• Syphilis and most other STIs often do not cause obvious symptoms — so it is important to get tested for STIs before and after unprotected sex, if you have sex with a new person, or the person you have sex with is having sex with other people. 
• It is important for pregnant people to attend doctors’ appointments early in the pregnancy, to ensure that they are tested for syphilis, to minimise the risk of passing it on to the fetus. 

Symptoms

The symptoms of syphilis depend on the stage of infection. The different stages are called primary, secondary, latent (hidden) and tertiary syphilis. 

Note: the following signs and symptoms may or may not be present in syphilis all cases. Syphilis signs and symptoms can be different in each person, with some people being asymptomatic at all stages.  

Primary syphilis  

A painless sore or sores in or on the mouth, anus, penis, vagina, or cervix. 

• It is a roundish area of broken skin – these sores may be weepy and have pus coming out of them. 
• They usually appear three weeks after initial infection, but this can range from 10 days to three months.  

The sores usually last three to six weeks and heal by themselves, with or without treatment. Even if the sores go away, people can still be infectious and can pass syphilis on to other people.  

Secondary syphilis  

If primary syphilis is not treated, it progresses to the secondary stage. Symptoms of this stage can include:  

• a red rash on the palms of the hands, soles of the feet, chest or back — the rash is slightly lumpy, but not itchy or painful. 
• fever 
• enlarged lymph nodes in the armpits and groin 
• hair loss 
• headaches 
• tiredness. 

The symptoms of secondary syphilis usually last 3-12 weeks. The symptom may disappear with or without treatment. However, without treatment, the person remains infectious for up to two years and the infection progresses to the latent stage. 

Latent Syphilis  

When the symptoms of secondary syphilis disappear, syphilis enters the latent (hidden) stage. There are usually no symptoms at this stage, but the person is still infected.

Tertiary syphilis  

Tertiary syphilis develops in about 1 in 3 people with untreated latent syphilis. In this stage, the bacteria can damage almost any part of the body including the heart, brain, spinal cord, eyes, and bones, resulting in mental illness, blindness, deafness, neurological problems, heart disease and even death. This can happen many years after the primary infection. 

Syphilis in pregnancy 

If someone gets syphilis before or during pregnancy, it can lead to miscarriage or stillbirth.  

It can also cause congenital syphilis, a serious illness which can cause many problems with the baby’s heart, brain, eyes, and bones. In WA, a number of babies born with congenital syphilis have died. 

When should you test for Syphilis? 

Syphilis is usually detected with a blood test. In the primary stage of syphilis, it can also be detected by swabbing the sore.  

It can take up to 3 months for a blood test to be able to show that someone has syphilis, so tests may be negative early on, which is why it is important to get retested. Your clinician may ask about previous syphilis test results to see if it is a new or old infection, or what stage of the infection you are in.  

You should get a STI screening test, including for Syphilis, if:

• You have had unprotected sex 
• You have recently changed sexual partner/s 
• You have more than one sexual partner 
• You have any of the signs or symptoms listed above.  
• You have a sexual partner who has been diagnosed with syphilis or another STI.  
• You are pregnant — syphilis should always be tested for at the beginning of pregnancy to prevent infection of unborn babies. Repeat testing later in the pregnancy is also recommended. 

You can visit Sexual Health Quarters for a test, or make an appointment with your local doctor, health care provider or Aboriginal Health Service. 

Treatment 

Syphilis is usually treated with penicillin injections. The number of injections will vary depending on the stage of infection. Follow-up blood tests are required to check that the treatment has worked.  

People with syphilis should not have sex for a week after completing the course of treatment or until symptoms have completely resolved (whichever is longer). If symptoms do not resolve after a week, see a health professional as further treatment may be required.  

Do I have to tell my sexual partner/s? 

If you have been diagnosed with syphilis it is important that you let your sexual partner/s know so they can be tested and treated. If your current sexual partner/s are not treated, you could end up with syphilis again. You can speak to your health care professional if you need help telling your sexual partners.