STI test
Most STIs can be easily treated. You only know whether you have an STI if you get yourself tested.
You can be tested by your general practitioner or _W_municipal public health service_W_ (GGD).
You can freely talk to the doctor. He or she has all of the information needed to help you. A doctor cannot give any information about you to anybody else. He/she is obliged by law to respect your privacy.
Woman talking with a doctor.
STI test
An STI test is done as follows:
- The health professional checks with you what kind of sex you had and will ask about any symptoms.
- The health professional may examine your sexual organs, mouth and anus to check for symptoms.
- The health professional often takes a blood sample or asks for a urine sample. The doctor can also take a swab from the places which may be infected (mouth/throat, anus, vagina, urethra).
- The health professional sends the samples to a lab for testing.
- The health professional receives the result of the lab test about 1 week later.
- The doctor or nurse explains the result to you and talks with you about the next steps. If necessary, he/she will give you medicines to treat the STI. Most STIs can be cured or their symptoms can be treated.
The health professional taking a blood sample from a woman.
The health professional taking a swab from a man’s mouth.
Price of an STI test
You can get tested for STIs by your general practitioner or at the municipal public health service (GGD). Are you at high risk of STIs? If you meet certain conditions you can get tested for free at the municipal public health service (GGD) in your area. Young people up to 25 years old, sex workers, men who have sex with men and people from countries where STIs are highly prevalent can make an appointment at the municipal public health service (GGD).
You can also get tested by your general practitioner. Your consultation with your general practitioner is free, but sometimes you have to pay for the test. This depends on your health insurance and the excess of your health insurance (eigen risico). Ask your health insurance provider for more information.
If you live in an asylum seekers’ centre you can visit the health centre there for a free STI test and advice.
What does it cost?