Do I need to return for another checkup?

[Creacreacrea]

Hi. I'm a 22 year old gay male. I recently went for my first sexual health check up in quite a while where I gave a blood and urine sample. After leaving though, I realised they hadn't asked me for a throat swab, which is something I've had every other time I've been tested.

Do I need to ring them and go back for this? Things are starting to get serious between me and someone I'm seeing and I want to be 100% sure I'm clean before I do anything with them.

Obviously I've engaged in oral sexual activities before, and I don't think they'll be able to tell if I have a throat infection through a urine sample will they?

Thanks for your time!

[RankAmateur]

Hi Creacreacrea,

Aaaaargh... what a shame... yes, you should have had a throat swab to check you haven't got gonorrhoea, *for example*, in your throat... I pick on gonorrhoea because in the throat it usually has no symptoms.

Damn... you've been extremely responsible getting yourself checked... but you've missed out... hmmm... at least phone the sexual health clinic to ask, but, I think, yes, you may need to go back... sorry...!

[RankAmateur in reply to RankAmateur]

Hello again Creacreacrea ...

I don't know if you are still here, but a footnote to this post...

Many GUM/STI clinics are now not testing people without any reported symptoms (asymptomatic cases) but instead refer you to a postal system:

freetest.me/

If you order a pack over the internet, it is posted to you immediately, arrives extremely quickly, and - if you send it straight back - the result is texted to you extremely quickly - we're talking a few days for the whole thing. I can recommend it - if it is available in your area.

The only negative... the blood sample required for Syphilis/HIV testing is quite a lot to take out of a fingertip prick... I cheated and went to my local surgery's phlebotomist (blood taker/"vampire"!) to get the sample for me - 2 minutes, and a lot easier...