BULK BILLED STI SCREENING

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are infections or diseases that are passed on during unprotected sex with an infected partner. This includes vaginal, anal or oral sex. Some STIs can be passed on just by skin-to-skin contact. Common STIs include chlamydia, gonorrhoea, genital herpes and genital warts.

You are at risk of getting an STI if:

  • You don’t use condoms during sex

  • You have changed sex partners or had more than one sex partner in the last 12 months

  • You or your partner share injecting equipment such as a syringes and needles

  • You or your sex partner has another STI.

  • Your partner has other sexual partners

  • You share sex toys with your partner

Some symptoms of STIs include

  • unusual discharge from your vagina or penis

  • difficulty or pain when you urinate and have sex

  • blisters, warts, lumps, bumps or sores on your genitals

  • rash, cracked skin, itchy or irritated skin on or around your genital region.

However, quite often, STIs can be asymptomatic. For example, research suggests that 50% of men and 70-80% of women don't get symptoms at all with a chlamydia infection.

If you have symptoms, you will be given an appointment with a doctor. If you don’t have symptoms but would like a check-up, you will see either our nurse who will take your sexual history and consult with a doctor about your tests. The nurse will then assist with specimen collection. You will usually be able to see our nurse immediately or if the nurse is not available, we can offer you an appointment.  

Negative results will be notified to you by SMS (the notification will not disclose the purpose of the test). We will contact you if you need to come back to see a doctor.

 

If you would like an appointment, please ring Interchange Health Co-op reception on 6247 5742

PrEP

PrEP is a treatment used by HIV negative people, who are at high risk of HIV infection, to reduce their chance of getting HIV; it involves taking medication on a daily basis.  Talk to one of our doctors or nurses to find out how the use of PrEP combined with other prevention methods can help decrease the likelihood of transmission of HIV and Sexually Transmitted Infections.