Quick links on what to do if you test positive for:

• Chlamydia
• Gonorrhoea
• Syphilis
• HIV
• Hepatitis B
• Hepatitis C
• Trichomonas Vaginalis

Gonorrhoea

What this means

Gonorrhoea is a bacterial infection that is passed on through sexual contact. It is usually treated with an antibiotic. Symptoms aren’t always present so people can have the infection without knowing, so testing is often the only way to know.

What to do next

• Gonorrhoea must be treated in a sexual health clinic. You can use the tool below to find nearby services: Find a sexual health clinic - NHS
• The recommended treatment is normally an antibiotic injection, and a swab will be completed at the time of your treatment to check for antibiotic resistance.
• Avoid sexual contact until you have been advised that the infection has been treated successfully.
• Partners should be tested and treated before any further sexual contact.

Why treatment is important

Without treatment Gonorrhoea can cause inflammation and scarring. This can cause some people chronic pain and, in some cases, problems with fertility. If treatment is taken correctly, these health complications can normally be avoided. Without treatment you will still be infectious and able to pass the infection onto others.

For further information on gonorrhoea please see:

Gonorrhoea - NHS

For further support, please contact our clinical team: [email protected]

Syphilis

What is syphilis?

Syphilis is a bacterial infection that develops in stages. Early stages may cause mild or unnoticed symptoms so people may be unaware that they have the infection. Syphilis can be passed on through sexual contact or from mother to baby during pregnancy.

What to do next

• Our tests are screening tests. Our clinical team will usually explain the result to you and if any action is needed.
• If you do have a new positive result or your test shows you may be infected you should get this repeated at your local sexual health clinic.
• Syphilis can be treated effectively with antibiotics. You will need to attend clinic to access treatment and further testing. You can use the tool below to find nearby services: Find a sexual health clinic - NHS
• Sexual partners will need testing, clinic will support you with this.

Syphilis results explained

Our clinical team will contact you about your result. Depending on your blood test, we may advise that:

• You may have syphilis and should attend a sexual health clinic for further testing and/or treatment.
• The screening test may have been over-sensitive, and we recommend a repeat test to confirm the result.
• Your results suggest a previous syphilis infection, with no evidence of a current infection.
• Your results suggest a previous syphilis infection, but there may be signs of a new infection, so repeat testing is advised as soon as possible.

Something to consider:

You may have syphilis and should attend a sexual health clinic

In this situation, your blood test result indicates that syphilis may be present. Further testing is needed to confirm this.
Please arrange a repeat blood test at a sexual health clinic as soon as possible so you can receive clear answers and appropriate care.
Remember: syphilis is very treatable.

The screening test may have been over-sensitive

Your syphilis screening test (EIA/TPHA) has shown a reactive result. This does not mean you definitely have syphilis. These tests are very sensitive and sometimes react to antibodies from a past infection or other antibodies in your blood, giving a positive result when no infection is present.
Further testing is needed to confirm whether syphilis is present or the result is false-reactive. If you’ve been advised to attend a clinic, we recommend doing so as soon as convenient.

Your results suggest a previous infection, with no current infection

Your EIA/TPHA tests are positive, but your RPR test is negative. This usually means you were infected in the past, but there is no active infection now.
If you were treated previously, and have no symptoms or recent exposure, no further treatment is usually needed.
If you are unsure about past treatment, or if there has been a recent risk, a clinic can review your history and advise whether repeat testing is needed.

Your results suggest a previous infection, but there may be a new infection

Your RPR level has risen compared with previous tests, which can indicate a new or re-infection. Further testing is needed to confirm this.
We recommend attending a sexual health clinic as soon as possible for confirmatory tests and treatment if required.

Why treatment is important

Untreated syphilis can cause serious long-term health problems. Early treatment prevents these. Without treatment you will still be infectious and able to pass the infection onto others.

For further information please see: Syphilis - NHS

For further support, please contact our clinical team: [email protected]

HIV

What is HIV?

HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is a virus that affects the immune system and is passed on through certain body fluids, such as blood or sexual contact. With modern treatment, people living with HIV can stay healthy and live long, normal lives.

What does a reactive HIV screening result mean?

Your HIV screening test has shown a reactive result. This does not mean you definitely have HIV. Screening tests are designed to be very sensitive so they can detect very early infections. Because of this, they can sometimes react to other antibodies in your blood, leading to a result that appears positive when there is no HIV infection.

For many people, especially when the reaction is very low, the result is likely to be negative, but a repeat test is needed to confirm this. Many people who are asked to have further testing are later found not to have HIV.

Why do I need a repeat test at a sexual health clinic?

HIV screening tests are not diagnostic, so any reactive result must be confirmed with specialist testing. This is best done at a sexual health clinic, where confirmatory tests are routinely available.

If the repeat test confirms HIV, the clinic team will support you straight away. HIV treatment in the UK is highly effective, and people diagnosed early can expect to live long, healthy lives.

If you’ve been advised to attend a sexual health clinic, we recommend doing so as soon as you feel able, so you can receive clear and definite answers and the right support.

What to do next:

• Contact a sexual health clinic to arrange a test. You can use the tool below to find nearby services: Find a sexual health clinic - NHS
• If confirmed, effective treatment is available. Although there is currently no cure for HIV, treatment is now very effective.
• Modern HIV treatment allows people to live long, healthy lives, and when treatment is taken correctly, it suppresses the virus so it is undetectable in the blood, making it untransmissible to other people.

For further information: HIV and AIDS - NHS

For further support, please contact our clinical team: [email protected]

Hepatitis B

What is Hepatitis B?

Hepatitis B is a viral infection that affects the liver. Some people clear it naturally, while others may develop a longer-term infection. It is important to complete further tests to understand if you are still infectious and whether treatment is needed.

What does a reactive hepatitis B screening result mean?

Your hepatitis B screening test has shown a reactive result. This does not mean you definitely have hepatitis B. Screening tests are designed to be very sensitive so they can detect even very early or low-level infections. Because of this, they can sometimes react to other antibodies in your blood, leading to a result that appears positive when there is no infection.

For many people, especially when the reaction is very low, the result is likely to be negative, but a repeat test is recommended to confirm this. Most people who are asked to repeat the test go on to have a negative result.

Why is a repeat test important?

Occasionally, a stronger reaction on the screening test can indicate a true hepatitis B infection. Repeating the test allows you to confirm the result accurately. We recommend you re-test at your local sexual health clinic [Find a sexual health clinic - NHS]  or GP so they can support you with the next steps if the result is confirmed. Effective monitoring and treatments are available, and many people with hepatitis B live well with appropriate care.

If you’ve been advised to have a repeat test, please arrange this as soon as convenient using our service so we can give you clear and reliable answers

What to do next

• You’ll need follow-up blood tests to understand whether the infection is recent or ongoing. You can find your local sexual health clinic here: Find a sexual health clinic - NHS or visit your GP.
• A specialist can advise whether monitoring or treatment is needed.
• Close contacts may need testing or vaccination.

Why follow-up is important

Monitoring protects your liver health and helps prevent transmission.

For further information please see: Hepatitis B - NHS

For further support, please contact our clinical team: [email protected]

Hepatitis C

What is Hepatitis C?

Hepatitis C is a viral infection affecting the liver. Many people have no symptoms and would not know they have the infection without testing.

What does a reactive screening result mean?

Your hepatitis C screening test may have shown a reactive result. This does not mean you have hepatitis C. Screening tests are designed to be very sensitive so that even very early infections are not missed. Because of this, they can sometimes react to harmless antibodies in your blood, giving a result that looks positive when there is no infection.

For many people, especially when the reaction is very low, the result is likely to be negative, but we recommend a repeat test to be sure. Most people who need a repeat test go on to have a negative result.

Why is a repeat test important?

In some cases, a stronger reaction on the screening test can indicate a true hepatitis C infection. We recommend you re-test at your local sexual health clinic or GP so they can support you with the next steps if the result is confirmed. Hepatitis C is now very treatable, and if the repeat test is positive, we will guide you through the next steps and link you with the right care.

If you’ve been advised to have a repeat test, please book this as soon as convenient using our service so we can give you clear and definite answers.

What to do next

• Confirmatory testing is required. You can find your local sexual health clinic: Find a sexual health clinic - NHS or visit your GP.
• Highly effective treatments are available, and many people are cured with treatment.
• A specialist will guide you through next steps.

The good news - Hepatitis C is now one of the most treatable viral infections.

For more information, please see:

Hepatitis C - NHS

The Hepatitis C Trust | Hep C charity

For further support, please contact our clinical team: [email protected]

Trichomonas Vaginalis

What this means

Trichomonas (Sometimes called TV or Trich) is a common, treatable infection caused by a parasite. Symptoms vary and may be mild or absent. Some people develop a yellow-green watery vaginal discharge and feel itchy or sore.

What to do next

Get treatment:

• Contact your local sexual health clinic to get free treatment: Find a sexual health clinic - NHS
• You can purchase treatment from a private pharmacy (we are unable to recommend any providers). Generally, we recommend:
  
  1) Metronidazole 400–500 mg twice daily for 7 days
  
  2) Do NOT drink alcohol while taking this treatment.
  
  3) If you have symptoms, check “When to seek further help” before ordering treatment.
• Avoid sex until treatment is completed.
• Retesting is only recommended if your symptoms continue after treatment. If you have not had any symptoms you may wish to retest 4 weeks after your treatment.
• Sexual partners should also be treated to prevent reinfection. TV is not routinely included on most STI tests; therefore, it is important that your sexual partner specifically asks for TV testing and/ or treatment.

When to seek further help:

If you have any of the following symptoms, then we recommend contacting your local sexual health clinic as you may need an examination or different treatment:

Born female at birth:

• pain in your abdomen (tummy) or pelvis,
• deep pain in your pelvis/ tummy when having sex,
• abnormal bleeding (when not on your period)

Born male at birth:

• Pain in your testes (balls)
• Pain or bleeding when you ejaculate (cum)

If you have any of these symptoms please visit your local sexual health clinic [Find a sexual health clinic - NHS]

Why is treatment important?

Treatment clears the infection and helps prevent irritation and further transmission. If left untreated Trichomonas can cause inflammation and scarring which can go on to cause issues with fertility.

For further information please see:

Trichomoniasis - NHS

For further support, please contact our clinical team: [email protected]