Not all infection risks can be avoided during sex. That’s why getting tested for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) is important if you’ve been in a high-risk situation and for people from groups with an increased risk of infection. Testing enables infections to be diagnosed and treated at an early stage.
- The key points in brief
- You might have an infection if
- The key factors that put you at higher risk of infection are
- Groups with a higher risk of infection
- A new monogamous relationship
- Testing during pregnancy
- If the test is positive: letting partners know
The key points in brief
- Do the personal Safer Sex Check, seek advice from a medical professional or visit a counselling or testing centre to find out if you should get tested.
- Regular testing is important if you have sex with multiple people or frequently change sexual partners, especially if your sexual relationships overlap. Testing enables infections to be detected and treated, to prevent their further transmission.
- Testing is important after having sex against payment.
You might have an infection if
- you have symptoms (such as pain, discomfort or changes in the genitals, anus, mouth or throat. Rashes, joint pains, fever and swollen lymph nodes can also be signs of an infection).
- you’ve been in a high-risk situation
- someone you had sex with has tested positive for an infection.
The key factors that put you at higher risk of infection are
- Multiple sexual partners
- having sex with someone who has had multiple sexual partners
- having sex with persons from groups in which HIV, other sexually transmitted infections, hepatitis B and/or hepatitis C are more prevalent than average
- certain sexual practices (anal sex in particular in the case of HIV).
Groups with a higher risk of infection
Testing is particularly recommended for:
- gay, bisexual, queer and other men who have sex with men: regular testing for those with changing sexual partners
- clients of sex workers: one-off testing after one-off sex with a sex worker or regular testing in the case of regular sex with sex workers
- sex workers: regular testing
- persons who have unprotected sex in a country where HIV is widespread, including with a sex worker: at a testing centre six weeks after unprotected sex
- people who inject or snort substances: annual testing. Unsure whether you should get tested? Do the Safer Sex Check or seek advice from a testing centre.
A new monogamous relationship
If you are embarking on a new monogamous (i.e. sexually exclusive) relationship, it’s a good idea to have yourself tested for HIV, syphilis, gonorrhoea and chlamydia.
Testing during pregnancy
Pregnant women are tested for HIV, syphilis and hepatitis B to protect their unborn child.
If the test is positive: letting partners know
Talking about sexually transmitted infections (STIs) isn’t always easy. But it’s important that your sexual partners know about your infection so they can get tested and treated if necessary. Here you’ll find everything you need to start the conversation with your partner(s) if you’ve been diagnosed with an infection.