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Screening tests for STIs
8-minute read
Key facts
- Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are infections that you can pass on to your partner during sexual activity.
- Common STIs include chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis, genital herpes, hepatitis B and HIV.
- You can have an STI without noticing any symptoms.
- If you're sexually active, ask your doctor how often to get tested for
- STI tests are often free, and treating an STI early on can prevent long-term damage.
What are STIs?
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs), previously known as sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), are infections that can be passed between partners during sexual activity. They can spread through direct contact and bodily fluids.
There are several different types of STIs. They may cause symptoms, but you can also have an STI without noticing any symptoms. STIs often cause health problems if left untreated.
Common STIs include:
These infections can be caused by:
If left untreated, some STIs can affect your long-term health and fertility. STIs can be passed from mother to baby and cause complications in pregnancy and birth.
Am I at risk of STIs?
STIs are most often passed through vaginal, oral or anal sex. If you have unprotected sex, you may be at risk of an STI. The best way to protect yourself from STIs is by using condoms for penetrative sex and having regular STI checks.
You may have a higher risk of getting an STI if you:
- live or travel in areas that have a higher level of infection
- have a new sexual partner, more than one sexual partner, or a partner with more than one sexual partner
- have a history of STIs
- share drug injecting materials such as needles and syringes
People from some populations are also at a higher risk of getting an STI, such as:
- sex workers
- males who have sex with males (MSM)
- Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people
- pregnant people
- trans and gender-diverse people
Should I have an STI test?
If you are sexually active, your doctor will ask you about risk factors for STI and may recommend regular STI testing, even if you don't have any symptoms of an STI. You may also want to consider an STI test:
- if your partner has recently had an STI
- if you have a new partner
- you notice any symptoms commonly linked to an STI
Symptoms of STIs include:
- sores, bumps or ulcers on the genitals, mouth or rectal area
- pain when urinating or during sex
- unusual discharge from the penis or vagina
- unusual vaginal bleeding
- itchiness around genital area
- eye infections
If you or your partner have one or more of these symptoms it doesn't mean that either of you have an STI, but it's still a good idea to see your doctor for a check-up.
Early detection of an STI can help prevent you from passing it on and reduce the chance of you developing complications.
CHECK YOUR SYMPTOMS — Use the Symptom Checker and find out if you need to seek medical help.
How often should I be tested?
Males who have sex with males should test for gonorrhoea, chlamydia, syphilis and HIV at least every 12 months. If you have multiple sexual partners or are at a higher risk, get tested every 3 months as STIs may show no symptoms.
Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people are at higher risk and are also recommended to be tested every 12 months, especially if you are sexually active and aged between 15 and 30 years. Make sure to get tested for hepatitis C if you are HIV positive, or you have ever used injected drugs.
If you are pregnant, your doctor will offer you testing at your first antenatal appointment, and throughout your pregnancy if you are at higher risk. These tests include:
If you are pregnant and under 30 years of age, you should get tested for chlamydia (and gonorrhoea if you are high risk).
Even if you aren't in one of the risk groups above, you can still ask your doctor about STI checks at any time.
What happens during an STI test?
There are different types of STI tests. The type you have will depend on your individual situation and symptoms. Your doctor may ask you some questions to assess your risk of STIs and decide which test you need.
In some cases, a urine sample may be enough for testing. In other situations, you might need:
- blood tests
- throat swabs
- anal swabs
- vaginal swabs
You can usually carry out anal or vaginal swabs yourself if you prefer, or a doctor or nurse can do it for you.
ASK YOUR DOCTOR — Preparing for an appointment? Use the Question Builder for general tips on what to ask your GP or specialist.
What does an STI test cost?
If you have a Medicare card, STI testing should be free. Pathology testing is often bulk billed so there will be no cost to you. In some cases, you may need to pay to see the doctor.
You will often be bulk billed if you attend a:
- sexual health clinic service
- Aboriginal medical service
- bulk-billing GP
You can call the clinic before you go, to check the costs.
How can I get tested?
You can visit your doctor or a sexual health clinic to get tested.
Other places you can be tested include:
- family planning clinics
- youth health centres
- women's health centres
- Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs)
- Medicare Urgent Care Clinics
FIND A HEALTH SERVICE — The Service Finder can help you find doctors, pharmacies, hospitals and other health services.
What follow-up is involved?
You will usually need to see your doctor to get your test results. If you test positive, your doctor may request follow up tests to confirm the diagnosis.
If you do have an STI, your doctor will probably discuss contacting your current and past sexual or injecting partners. You can choose to contact your partners yourself, or there are anonymous services you can use, such as:
Many STIs are nationally notifiable diseases in Australia. This means your doctor must tell local public health authorities about all identified cases. Infections can be tracked, and contacts can be informed to try stop outbreaks and get treated.
Your doctor will also discuss treatment with you. Most types of STI can be cured, while others such as herpes and HIV can be well-controlled with medicines.
If you do not test positive for an STI, ask your doctor how to protect yourself from future STI infection, and when to return for your next STI check.
Resources and support
- Play Safe provides contacts for help, support and information on STIs, as well as where to get tested at sexual health clinics, GPs, Indigenous Health or other services.
- QLife provides anonymous and free LGBTIQ support about sexuality, identity, gender, bodies, feelings or relationships on 1800 184 527.
- Lifeline provides support and advice in a personal crisis on 13 11 14 (24 hours a day, every day of the year).
- Stay STI Free has more information on specific STIs and what to do if you have an STI.
Other languages
Talk Test Treat website has STI information in a range of languages.
Looking for information for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people?
Young Deadly Free supports First Nations communities across Australia with information on STIs, including syphilis, and how often and where to get a free STI test.