The STI examination

What should I expect during the test?

An STI test is carried out according to your specific situation. We will start by asking you a number of personal questions online or by phone to determine your level of risk of STIs. Depending on your situation, an STI test may involve additional testing. For most patients, an STI test will test for:

• chlamydia and gonorrhoea
• HIV and/or syphilis

Additional checks will be carried out for the following, where necessary:

• genital warts
• genital herpes
• hepatitis B
• pubic lice (crabs)
• scabies
• LGV
• Hepatitis C

Important for the examination

Please note the following for a reliable STI test:

• We recommend that you have an appointment at least one week after having (un)safe sexual contact. The exception is if you already have symptoms, in which case we recommend that you attend earlier than this.
• If you have a regular partner, we recommend that you both come in together (please note that you must each arrange a separate appointment).
• If you are taking a course of antibiotics, we recommend that you come for a test one week after finishing the course. The exception is if you already have symptoms, in which case we recommend that you attend earlier than this.

During the examination

The examination consists of several components, depending on your specific situation.

Reception (check intake form)

You will be called to the reception desk where a staff member will ask you to check the intake form that you completed earlier or answered by phone. This is necessary to determine which tests you will require.
You can then take the chlamydia and gonorrhoea tests in a specially equipped toilet.

For women, the test involves taking a vaginal swab and, in some cases, anal and throat swabs. For men, it involves urine testing and, in some cases, anal and throat swabs.

You can often go home after the test, but you may need to wait in the waiting room for a follow-up examination in some cases.

The reception staff will inform you accordingly.

Examination room

In the examination room, the nurse will ask you a few additional questions.

Blood test

If blood sampling is necessary, it will be tested for syphilis and/or HIV, as well as Hepatitis B or Hepatitis C if necessary.

Physical examination

For women, the examination often involves an internal vaginal examination with a speculum ("duck bill"). For men, a swab of the urethra and/or anus will be taken if necessary. Additional examinations may be performed as needed.

How long will the examination take?

The test will generally take 15 to 30 minutes. However, it may, of course, take longer if you are experiencing specific symptoms.

Online test results

Login details

You can request the results of the STI test online with your login details. Your login details are listed on the contact card you received at the start of your visit to the STI clinic. If you do not have any login details (anymore) then we advise you to call for the results via telephone number (020) 555 5822, Mon / Fri between 10.15 am and 12.15 pm.

Log in for your results

Please note that logging in is only possible after you have received an e-mail and/or text message with the message that your results are known. Online retrieval only works if you have a Dutch 06-number in the administration.

If you have only given us your email address, you will receive a message by e-mail that your results are known and you can call us for the results via telephone number (020) 555 5822, Mon / Fri between 10.15 am and 12.15 pm.

Procedure

We recommend that you check your results during working hours (Monday to Friday between 9 am and 4 pm) so that we - if necessary - can speak to you or receive you as soon as possible at the STI outpatient clinic for treatment. To view your results, visit: www.soatestuitslag.nl and enter your pin number and order number and enter the login code that you will receive bij text message. You can then view your personal results.

In addition, we would like to point out that your results can only be requested online for one month after the diagnosis has been made. If it is longer than you can call the outpatient clinic.

Pay attention! If you have already been treated during your visit to the outpatient clinic and, according to this site, no additional treatment is required anymore, it may happen that you still have complaints. If you have followed all the advice given and you still have complaints one week after completing the course of antibiotics, please contact us to schedule a possible follow-up check.

Warned by sex partners and warning your sex partners

Notified by your sexual partner: If someone notifies you of an STI, make an appointment for an STI test through your GP or online with the public health service (GGD) as soon as possible. Tell them you have been notified by a sexual partner.
If you have been notified by the GGD, bring the notification with you to your appointment. For more information on STIs, visit www.soaaids.nl

Notifying your sexual partner or partners: If you have an STI, the nurse will discuss with you how to notify your sexual partners. There are various ways to do so:

• You can do it yourself (e.g. in person or by phone or WhatsApp)
• You can send them an anonymous SMS or email through www.partnerwaarschuwing.nl
• You can ask the nurse to notify your partner or partners on your behalf, anonymously if necessary.

To notify your partners, sign in at www.soatestuitslag.nl using the credentials you received at the end of your visit to the STI clinic. There you will find a link to www.partnerwaarschuwing.nl Click on the link and then on start. Enter your sexual partner's phone number or email address. Leave the box checked to remain anonymous. Send the notification. If you have chosen to remain anonymous, your sexual partners will not know that the warning is from you. The GGD will be listed as the sender.

Do you have any questions or require assistance?
If you have been tested somewhere else and want help notifying your partners, contact the GGD partner alert team. Soa-pw@ggd.amsterdam.nl Or by phone on +31 6 192 914 25,