How is an STD or HIV test done?

What questions will be asked?

The doctor or nurse will first ask you some questions about your health and your sex life. The questions are about how you had sex and with how many people. Answering these questions lets your doctor know which STD tests you need.  

You can also ask questions yourself. The doctor won’t tell your answers to anyone else. Answer as honestly as possible. This way you’ll be sure to get the right tests. 
 

How does the doctor examine your body? 

Do you have symptoms that can be caused by an STD? If so, the doctor will examine the part of your body where you experience symptoms. Sometimes, your body will be examined even if you don’t have symptoms. 

Skin examination 

Have you noticed spots on your skin? Then the doctor will check up the skin on your penis, balls or ass. 

Throat and groin examination 

Do you have a fever, or symptoms like those of the flu? If so, the doctor will check the lymph nodes in your throat or your groin, which is the area between your thighs. 

Ass examination 

Do you have symptoms in your ass? For example: is your anus swollen, bleeding or leaking other fluids? In these cases, the doctor might examine the inside of your anus: 

• The doctor will use a little lube and carefully insert a small metal tube in your ass. This tool is called proctoscope 
• This examination is not painful 
• The doctor uses this tool to look for wounds, warts, blisters or ulcers 
• The doctor will use an anal swab to take a sample for the STD test  

How is the STD test done?

The doctor will test you for a couple of STDs. This is how it’s done: 

• You hand in a urine sample/sample of your pee 
• The doctor takes a sample from your throat with a cotton swab. 
• You do the anal swab yourself. In some cases, the doctor does it 
• The doctor uses a needle to take a blood sample from your arm 
• Do you have a wound that could be caused by an STD? If so, the doctor might take a fluid sample from it. 
• Sometimes you get a rapid HIV test. This is done with a finger prick or with a mucus sample from your mouth 

Urethral swabs (in your pee hole) are very rare.  

Are you a trans man or a trans woman? Tell your doctor, so they will know which STD tests you need. 

 

Test result: STD or not?

Usually, you will get your STD test result within a week.  

Did you get a rapid HIV test? Then you will get the result within 1 hour. Usually, just to be sure, you will also get a regular HIV test. You will receive its result together with the other results. 
 

Treatment

Do you have an STD? Then you can get medication from the GGD or your GP. Mostly, this will make the STD and your symptoms pass.   

There are different medications for each STD.  

Your GP and the GGD can’t treat every STD. For HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C you will need to go to the hospital.  

Read more about STD treatments

Do you have an STD? Tell the people you had sex with in the past few months, so they can also get tested. This way, fewer people will get sick. You can also tell them anonymously. Your GP or the GGD can help you with this. 

Telling you have an STD is pretty stressful. However, it is still important to do so. Ask your doctor to help you.