Results and Treatment
You’ve had an STI test. Your urine, smear, and perhaps blood sample, have been examined in the laboratory.
Results
You receive the results of an STI test or an HIV test within one to two weeks.
- If you had an HIV test, you’ll be advised to come back to receive the results.
- If you had an STI test, you can get the results by phone or by appointment.
Important! Don’t have unprotected sex while waiting for your results until you are sure you don’t have an STI.
If you do have an STI your doctor will prescribe the necessary treatment. You can make an appointment at Saba Cares, or the public health nurse can do this for you.
Make sure you get treatment for an STI. If you don’t, it may lead to serious complications, for example difficulty getting pregnant in the future. Treatment is important!
Chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis
Chlamydia and gonorrhea can be treated with antibiotics that will cure the infection in a week. Syphilis is also treated with antibiotics. Antibiotics are only used for STIs caused by bacteria. Do not have unprotected sex during the treatment as you can still spread an STI until it is fully cured.
Hepatitis B and HIV
STIs caused by a virus (genital herpes, genital warts, HIV and hepatitis B) are more difficult to treat. There are drugs that will suppress these viruses and their symptoms, but none that remove the virus from your body. People with HIV and hepatitis B are referred to a hospital specialist for further guidance and treatment.
Genital herpes
The medication you are given for genital herpes suppresses the virus. People who have herpes can have four to five flare-ups a year. Stress or fatigue can trigger a flare up, but it is unknown why some people often have recurring flare ups, while others rarely do, or never have one again.
Genital warts
Genital warts usually disappear by themselves, but the virus remains in your body. Genital warts can be treated. You may be referred to a dermatologist or gynecologist for treatment. Sometimes the warts come back after a while.