Gesundheits-Kategorie: Go to the test

Key points at a glance

🩺 Get tested if you have symptoms

If you experience symptoms such as a burning sensation, itching, discharge, blisters or sores, it is advisable to get tested for sexually transmitted infections.

📍 Plenty of opportunities to give it a go

Tests are available from doctors, public health authorities, AIDS support organisations and testing schemes such as Checkpoints, amongst others. Many of these services can be used anonymously.

💬 Inform partners

You can enter a short piece of information here.

💉 Vaccinations can protect you

Vaccination can protect against some sexually transmitted infections – for example, hepatitis A, hepatitis B or HPV.

Sexually transmitted infections are generally easy to treat once they have been diagnosed. That is why it can be a good idea to get tested. Depending on the pathogen and any symptoms, various tests may be carried out – for example, a swab, a urine, stool or blood test, or a visual examination.

Important: Not every sexually transmitted infection causes symptoms. Some infections are therefore only detected when a test is carried out.

When is it advisable to get tested for sexually transmitted infections?

As a general rule, a test is recommended if Symptoms appear. These could include, for example:

• foul-smelling discharge from the urethra, vagina or rectum
• A burning sensation when passing water
• Itching
• Bubbles
• Ulcers in the genital or anal area

It’s also a good idea to get tested if you receive a message saying that one*Sex partners*in has a sexually transmitted disease.

Pregnant women are also advised to have a test for other sexually transmitted infections as well as an HIV test. Some infections can be passed on to the baby during pregnancy or at birth and cause serious illnesses. It can also increase the risk of premature birth.

Regular tests

If you frequent changes of sexual partners* If you have, it may be a good idea to have regular tests for sexually transmitted infections. This applies, for example, to:

• Chlamydia
• Gonorrhoea
• Syphilis

This means that infections can be detected early and the spread of the infection prevented. You can discuss with your doctor or at a counselling centre how often you should get tested.

Don’t forget about HIV either

During a screening for sexually transmitted infections, a HIV test may be advisable. If syphilis is diagnosed, you should definitely consider having an HIV test. It’s best to bring this up during your pre-test counselling session. Regular testing for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections is also part of this if you HIV-PrEP uses. There are specific testing recommendations for people living with HIV. These should ideally be discussed with HIV specialists.

Where can I get tested?

Tests for sexually transmitted infections can, for example, be carried out in the following cases:

• Dermatologists and venereologists
• Gynaecologists
• Urologists*
• health authorities
• AIDS service organisations
• Pilot projects such as Checkpoints

If you have symptoms or there is a specific suspicion of a sexually transmitted infection – for example, following a tip-off from a sexual partner – the costs can be claimed through your health insurance. Many AIDS support organisations, public health authorities and checkpoints also offer a Test counselling . Some of the tests can be carried out anonymously there.

What about self-tests?

From self-tests for sexually transmitted infections, for which is advertised on the internet, advises Deutsche Aidshilfe. Whilst these tests are legal, they are often very inaccurate. As a result, infections may go undetected. They are then left untreated and can be passed on.

What happens if a sexually transmitted infection is diagnosed?

A diagnosis can be unsettling at first. At the same time, however, it also means: The infection can now be treated and cured. This helps to prevent damage to health and further transmission. If a person is frequently diagnosed with sexually transmitted infections, their risk of HIV may also be increased. In that case, the HIV-PrEP are viable methods for protecting against HIV.

Keep partners informed

If you are diagnosed with a sexually transmitted infection, you should also Inform any recent sexual partners, as far as you are aware. That way, they too can be examined and, if necessary, receive treatment. This will also help to prevent re-infection.

Remember your vaccinations

A vaccination can protect against some sexually transmitted infections Vaccination protect. These include, for example:

• Hepatitis A
• Hepatitis B
• HPV

During a consultation, you can discuss whether a vaccination or a booster is advisable.

Is there a duty to report?

Certain infections are subject to mandatory reporting. HIV and syphilis are not reported by name to the Robert Koch Institute. In the case of a Viral hepatitis: A to E Even if an acute infection is merely suspected, a report containing the patient’s name is submitted to the public health authority. This information can help to monitor the spread of infection and prevent transmission.

Tests can be part of everyday life

Regular testing for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections can be a natural part of looking after your sexual health. IWWIT recommends that gay men get to get tested for sexually transmitted infections once a year.

Frequently asked questions

When should I get tested for sexually transmitted infections?

It is recommended that you get tested if you have symptoms or find out that a sexual partner has a sexually transmitted infection. If you have multiple sexual partners, regular testing may also be advisable.

Do I need to have symptoms for a test to be worthwhile?

No. Sexually transmitted infections do not always cause symptoms, or the symptoms may go unnoticed. That is why a routine test can also be a good idea.

Where can I get tested?

Tests are available, for example, at dermatology and venereology clinics, gynaecological or urological practices, public health authorities, AIDS support organisations and checkpoints. Many of these services can be used anonymously.

What happens if I’m diagnosed with a sexually transmitted infection?

The infection can then be treated and cured. This helps to prevent damage to health and further transmission. In addition, recent sexual partners should be informed, where known, so that they too can be tested and treated.

Need someone to talk to?

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Key points at a glance

🕒 Please note: 12 weeks

An HIV infection can only be reliably ruled out using a self-test twelve weeks after a possible exposure to HIV.

🧪 Have a positive result confirmed

If the self-test is positive, the result must be confirmed by another HIV test carried out in a laboratory.

🛒 Self-tests are readily available

You can get HIV self-tests, for example, from AIDS support organisations, online, and in pharmacies and chemists (check for the CE mark).

💬 Anonymous counselling

If you have any questions about HIV risks or self-testing, the Aidshilfen organisations offer anonymous and free advice – in person, by telephone or online.

How the HIV self-test works

An HIV self-test, also known as an at-home HIV test, is an HIV test that you can easily carry out yourself, for example at home. With most tests, a small amount of blood is taken from your fingertip and placed into a test kit. The result is displayed after about a quarter of an hour.

Like other standard testing methods, the HIV self-test does not directly detect HIV, but rather antibodies against the virus. These antibodies only develop after a certain amount of time. For this reason, an HIV self-test can only reliably rule out an infection twelve weeks after a possible HIV transmission. An „HIV-negative“ result is therefore only reliable after twelve weeks. The test can often detect an existing HIV infection earlier than this.

Where can I get an HIV self-test?

You can buy HIV self-tests, for example, in pharmacies, chemists or online. It is important that the self-test meets the following requirements:

• bearing the CE mark
• designed for use by the general public
• authorised in Europe and available in Germany
• with instructions in German

The products that have been tested in this way include the Autotest VIH, the INSTI HIV Self-Test, the Newfoundland HIV Test and the OraQuick HIV self-test.

What should you do if your HIV self-test comes back positive?

HIV self-tests are highly sensitive and can sometimes produce a positive result even though there is no HIV infection. A positive result must therefore always be confirmed by a laboratory test.

This confirmatory test can be carried out by doctors, at a public health centre, directly at a laboratory or at an Aidshilfen checkpoint. Only if this test also comes back positive can an HIV infection be confirmed.

Anonymous counselling

If an HIV self-test comes back positive, you’ll initially be left to deal with the result on your own and won’t be able to talk to anyone about it straight away. The AIDS support organisations therefore offer various counselling options:

• personal advice
• telephone advice
• Online advice

The counselling service can be used anonymously.

Who is the HIV self-test suitable for?

The HIV self-test is suitable for people who wish to check whether they have HIV without having to visit a doctor’s surgery or testing centre. Reasons for this may include a desire for discretion or the lack of a suitable testing centre nearby. The self-test therefore also offers a testing option for people who have previously been reluctant to get tested or who wish to avoid travelling long distances.

If you experience any problems with an HIV self-test, a reporting form provided by the Paul Ehrlich Institute is available. The Institute is responsible for the safety of self-tests and forwards relevant reports to the manufacturers.

Frequently asked questions

At what point does an HIV self-test become reliable?

An HIV self-test can reliably rule out HIV infection twelve weeks after a potential exposure to HIV. Only then can a negative result be considered reliable. The test can often detect an existing HIV infection even earlier.

Where can I buy an HIV self-test?

You can get HIV self-tests from pharmacies, chemists or online, for example. It is important that the test bears the CE mark, has been designed for use by the general public, is authorised in Europe and comes with instructions in German.

What should I do if my HIV self-test is positive?

A positive result does not necessarily mean that you have HIV. The self-test must be confirmed by a laboratory test. This can be carried out by a doctor, at a public health centre, directly at a laboratory, or at an Aidshilfen checkpoint.

How soon will I get the result?

The result will be displayed after about a quarter of an hour.

Key points at a glance

🧪 Providing clarity

An HIV test shows whether a person is infected with HIV.

⏳ Please note the time

Depending on the test, it may take some time to obtain a definitive result following a potential exposure to HIV.

📍 Plenty of opportunities to try it out

HIV tests are available at AIDS support organisations, Checkpoints, public health centres, doctors’ surgeries and specialist HIV clinics.

🏠 Self-test at home

With an HIV self-test, you can also get tested at home.

What is an HIV test?

An HIV test determines whether a person has an HIV infection. Depending on the test, it either looks for antibodies to HIV in the blood or tests directly for the virus itself. After a potential exposure to HIV, some time must pass before an infection can be ruled out with certainty. How long this takes depends on the specific test. If an HIV test is positive, the result is confirmed with a second test. Treatment for HIV can then be started at an early stage.

HIV testing: When it is advisable

How often it is advisable to have an HIV test depends on your circumstances. A counselling session can help you decide on the right time to have the test and whether you should have regular tests.

• Following an HIV exposure: If you have been in a situation where you may have been at risk of HIV, you should get tested. This also applies if you have any symptoms that could indicate an HIV infection.
• For men who have sex with men: Deutsche Aidshilfe recommends getting tested for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections at least once a year.
• During pregnancy: Pregnant women should be offered an HIV test. If HIV is detected, transmission to the baby can be prevented.
• In the case of intravenous drug use: It is important to clarify how often it is advisable to get tested for HIV and hepatitis C. Counselling is available, for example, at drug advice centres, substitution clinics and checkpoints. Safer use protects against infection.
• In the case of HIV PrEP: An HIV test is required before starting the programme, four weeks after it begins, and every three months thereafter.

Why it’s a good idea to get an HIV test

An HIV test can give you peace of mind and make it easier to take important decisions. If the result is negative, you can further tailor your protection to your situation through safer sex and safer use. This includes, for example, condoms, treatment-based protection or HIV PrEP.

If the HIV test is positive, HIV treatment can be started at an early stage. With effective treatment, there is a good chance of a normal life expectancy and a good quality of life. Furthermore, HIV can no longer be transmitted through sex if the treatment is working effectively.

An overview of HIV tests

There are various methods for HIV testing. Many tests look for antibodies to HIV in the blood. These include rapid tests, self-tests and post-by-post tests. Antibodies are usually detectable after six weeks, and at the latest after twelve weeks.

If an HIV test produces a positive result, it is verified using a second, different test. This is important because, in rare cases, a test may produce a positive result even though there is no HIV infection.

In addition, there are tests that detect HIV directly. These include the PCR test. It is used, amongst other things, to monitor HIV treatment and as a confirmatory test.

HIV test: Where you can get tested

There are various places where you can get an HIV test. Depending on what matters most to you, you can get tested anonymously, visit a GP’s surgery or carry out a self-test at home.

• AIDS support organisations, checkpoints and public health authorities: Anonymous HIV tests with counselling are available there. Depending on the centre, the cost may range from 10 to 26 euros.
• HIV-specialist practices and other medical practices: You can also get an HIV test there. Clinics specialising in HIV employ doctors with particular expertise in all aspects of HIV.
• HIV self-test: You can carry out the test yourself at home. The result will be displayed after a few minutes. Prices start at around 20 euros.

Frequently asked questions

What does an HIV test show?

An HIV test shows whether you have an HIV infection. The only way to determine your HIV status with certainty is to have an HIV test.

When should I get an HIV test?

It is advisable to have a test following a situation where there may have been a risk of HIV exposure, or if you have symptoms that could indicate an HIV infection. Regular testing is also recommended for certain groups.

What types of HIV tests are available?

There are laboratory tests, rapid tests, self-tests and tests to be sent in. Many of these tests look for antibodies to HIV. In addition, there are PCR tests that detect HIV directly.

Where can I get tested for HIV?

HIV tests are available from organisations such as AIDS support groups, Checkpoints, public health authorities, doctors’ surgeries and specialist HIV clinics, amongst others. You can also test yourself at home using an HIV self-test.

What happens if you test positive for HIV?

A positive test result is confirmed by a second, different test. If an HIV infection is diagnosed, treatment can be started at an early stage.