Do you have any symptoms such as itching, pain when urinating or purulent discharge?
If so, then you should immediately consult a doctor so that the infection can be tested and treated quickly
Do you not have any symptoms but a risk situation occurred or you would like a routine test?
Then our checkpoints are the right option for you. Simply contact your local checkpoint via e-mail, telephone or go directly. Our checkpoints will inform you about which tests and counselling services are available and whether you need an appointment.
If you would like to be tested for STIs (sexually transmissible infections), you need to observe a specific waiting period for each STI (this is known as the diagnostic window).
It may take several weeks for the pathogens to multiply or for your immune system to form antibodies against the pathogens. The tests can only reliably verify whether you have an infection once the number of pathogens or antibodies is high enough.
- In the case of HIV, this waiting time is 6 weeks for the laboratory test and 12 weeks for a quick test.
- In the case of chlamydia and gonorrhoea, the waiting time is 2 to 3 weeks.
- In the case of syphilis, the waiting time is 6 to 8 weeks. If you have had syphilis before, please inform the checkpoint.
- In the case of hepatitis B and C, the waiting time is 3 to 6 months. A vaccination against hepatitis B is also available. If you have been vaccinated, testing is not necessary. If you have had hepatitis C before, please inform the checkpoint. The standard test cannot be used because it would still react although you have recovered.
Counselling and testing at a checkpoint are always anonymous and confidential. You do not have to give your name and you do not need German health insurance. The counsellors at the checkpoint are bound to confidentiality. As such, feel free to ask about or bring up any issues that might be important for the counselling session. To accurately assess the risk, it may be important to disclose with whom, how often and in what way you have sex. You may also need to disclose whether you use drugs, offer/use sex for money, or have experienced sexual violence. Please be as open as possible and to the extent that you feel comfortable. This will enable us to advise you better and more precisely. Everything will stay between us!
After counselling you regarding your specific risks, we will recommend the appropriate tests. You can then decide which tests you want to take. If you take a quick test, you will receive the results at the checkpoint. In the case of laboratory tests, the samples must first be sent to a laboratory. It generally takes several days for the results to come back. Discuss the testing options with your local checkpoint and how to obtain the results.
