Currently it is recommended to have a sexual health check-up once a year if you are sexually active.
If you have had more than 10 partners in less than six months, it’s recommended to have a check-up twice a year or perhaps earlier if you are very sexually active.
As noted at the ACON website, the current testing guideline is:
“An STI check-up for a man who has had sex with men usually involves:
* A blood sample to check for HIV, syphilis and immunity to hepatitis A and B
* A urine sample to check for chlamydia
* A swab of your arse to check for chlamydia and gonorrhoea (a swab is like a cotton bud you would use to clean inside your ears)
* A swab of your throat to check for gonorrhoea
* A physical examination to check for crabs, scabies, warts and herpes
“These tests are recommended for all gay men who don’t have any symptoms. Even if you don’t have any symptoms it’s still possible to have an STI and pass on the infection. Testing is the only way to know for sure.”
Even if you have not had anal sex it’s important to have the swab of the arse as chlamydia and gonorrhoea can be also transmitted by rimming and by fingers.
Of course, if you have any symptoms such as discomfort when passing urine, sore testicles or anal pain, bleeding or an itch, it’s important to have a check-up straightaway.
If you have had any episodes of unsafe sex, see a doctor as soon as possible as there are post-exposure treatments, also known as PEP, available that can reduce the chance of HIV infection.
These check-ups are a good time to discuss any issues you may have about your health. Results such as HIV are best not given over the phone so currently almost all doctors give HIV results to patients face-to-face. This allows time to explain the meaning of results and help to answer questions that may come up.
There are some sexual infections that can be present with no symptoms or signs at all — for this reason, be sure to have your regular sexual check-up.
By DR GEORGE FORGAN SMITH
INFO: Read more at http://thehealthybear.com
