Do I need a full STI test? Doctor said I don't...

[questiontime]

I'm a man

I went to a clinic a few years ago and had a blood test, penis swab and pee sample taken to test for all the STI's. All came back negative

I have had sex with 3 woman with out condoms in the last few months. I wanted to get checked and be more responsible so I went for a drop in session at my local sexual health clinic (different to last one that is shut down now). They asked me some questions and they said I don't need the blood test or penis swab.

They asked do I have sex with prostitutes, am I over 25, do I have sex with iv drug users do I have sex with men. I answered no to all these questions and they said that I am a very low risk category and only need to be tested for the chlamydia test and pee in pot.

This seems quite irresponsible of them. They made me do all the tests a couple of yours ago so has the NHS just cheaped out on tests now?!

[xturner]

If you're worrier id ask for the full test to put your mind at rest. Then again they wouldn't advise you not to do it if they thought you needed to, at the end of the day they'd rather you caught anything now rather than have repercussions in the future. I'd trust their judgement but as I say if you're worrying it may be a good idea to ask them for the full thing.

[CharlieJoe]

In the UK a "routine" sexual health checkup (where ever it's done) should include a chlamydia/gonorrhoea test (a wee sample or swab) and a blood test for HIV and syphilis, and maybe extra tests depending on your risk.

Best thing to do is go to another sexual health clinic. Have a look at the BASHH clinic finder bashh.org to find your nearest specialist sexual health clinic (you may have gone to a contraception and basic screening clinic only) or go to your GP and ask. Probably best to phone up first and check they can do blood tests.

In short NO ONE should ever be refused a HIV test if they want one in the UK (or elsewhere for that matter!), be persistent!