STI TESTING
If you’re testing for STIs, a sample of your blood will be taken, and it will be processed in a laboratory. Your test results will be returned to you in two days to two weeks or more depending on the service. Clinics with on-site lab facilities can take as fast as two hours.
WHAT HAPPENS AT AN STI TEST?
Register at the counter.
Pre-test consultation with the doctor, nurse or counsellor.
The actual test itself. They may need to draw blood using a syringe.
Hang on a little as your blood is analysed at a lab
Results and post-test counselling.
You can be on your way!
Some clinics may also offer a full HIV and STI package test. While this is a great way to know the entirety of your HIV and STI status, rapid HIV and STI tests are just as accurate, and take a lot less time and money.
DO IT REGULARLY
You’re bigger than you think! Everyone in the community is very important in the fight towards ending HIV. That’s why it’s necessary to take care of yourself, your partners, and the rest of our community too.
Here’s what you can do:
- Get tested at least once every six months, and more frequently if you’re sexually active, have bareback sex regularly, or have chem fun.
- Having a moment? If you think you may have been exposed to HIV, go for a test as soon as possible and discuss with your tester about going on PEP within 72 hours after exposure.
- You’re busy with life. You forget sometimes, and we understand. Join our Loyal Tester programme to get personalised testing reminders, along with many other perks just for you.
- Need to be sure? Test for syphilis, gonorrhoea, chlamydia and other STIs while you’re at it. Use our Clinic Finder to find a testing centre near you, and ask the staff for more information.
- Do your part in helping others by educating yourself about HIV/AIDS and how to minimize your risk of contracting the virus. Click here to find out how you can help each other out.
Getting tested regularly keeps you in the loop about your HIV status. It allows you to consider all the options you can take to maintain the HIV-negative status of you and your sexual partners, such as condoms, PEP and PrEP.
WHAT DO I DO IF I’M TESTED POSITIVE?
If you’re tested HIV positive, there’s no need to be afraid – help is readily available. Your testing center will refer you to a hospital, where you can go to seek further treatment. HIV treatment is free for all Malaysian citizens at government healthcare facilities, and the sooner you start treatment, the faster you will be able to manage it.
Once you start seeking treatment at a hospital, your doctor is obliged by law to report your case to the Ministry of Health and District Health Office for statistical purposes, and a District Health Officer will be in touch to counsel you about treatment.
It’s very important that you speak to them when they get in touch with you – an officer may visit your place of residence or the address registered in your identity card if they are unable to contact you by phone.
Throughout this process, your personal and health information is kept confidential and will not be shared without your permission; it is not necessary to disclose this information with anyone else.