Need more information? Call us now.
Services
Sexually transmitted infections
Men
Symptoms indicative of an acute infection:
- A burning sensation when urinating
- A white or yellow discharge from the penis
- A throat infection (gonococcal pharyngitis)
- Rectal pain
- Fluid or bleeding from the anus
- Increased urination
- Sore or swollen testicles
Chlamydia and/or Gonorrhoea (Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea — Chlamydia trachomatis & Neisseria gonorrhoeae)
It is important to know that chlamydia and gonorrhoea are bacteria that can infect the area of sexual contact: penis, anus or throat. Their symptoms (if any) are usually similar, which is why at our clinic you will see a doctor who will advise you on the most appropriate test. The reality is that most cases are asymptomatic.
What does the test involve?
1. Urine:
- This test is performed using PCR technology
- Results in 90 minutes
- 99% reliability
- Can be done from the moment symptoms appear or on the third day after a possible high-risk sexual encounter (72 hours)
2. Swab:
- To assess whether the infection is present in the anus or tonsils, a gentle swab will be taken from the affected area.
Results:
Según la prueba que elijas:
- If you choose the rapid immunochromatography test: 20 minutes (always by swab and only suitable for the genital area)
- PCR test: 90 minutes (urine if genital; swab if oral or anal)
Treatment
If your chlamydia and/or gonorrhoea test result is positive, you can return to your doctor for treatment, or even have it administered by them.
Human papillomavirus (HPV):
HPV is a virus that often causes no symptoms. It affects both men and women. Transmission can be through oral, anal or vaginal contact, with or without penetration.
There are many HPV genotypes with different risk levels for people:
- Low risk: 6, 11, 40, 42, 43, 44, 54, 55, 61, 72 and 81
- High risk: 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59, 66 and 68.
Genotypes 16 and 18 are responsible for the majority of HPV-related cancers.
What does the test involve?
The sample is taken by swab from the anal area, the tonsils, or the testicular/penile area. The sample is taken from cells that shed from the genital area, so you should avoid using soaps or products that could remove them, as well as contact with water for at least 6 hours before the test.
Results:
Can only be performed by PCR; results are obtained in 60 minutes.
Syphilis (Syphilis – Treponema pallidum):
Syphilis is an STI caused by a bacterium that infects the genital area, the lips, the mouth or the anus and affects both men and women.
The early stage of syphilis usually causes a single small, painless sore. Sometimes it causes swelling of the nearby lymph nodes. If left untreated, it leads to a non-itchy skin rash on the hands and feet.
What does the test involve?
The test is carried out with a small finger prick and the results are available in 20 minutes
If you have previously had a syphilis infection, the rapid test will always show a positive result, as it detects antibodies in the blood; therefore it is not recommended in this case.
If you suspect you may have been reinfected, we will monitor you using blood tests — in this case you will have the result in approximately 24 hours, with both quantitative and qualitative data.
Tratamiento
Si el resultado de Clamidia y/o Gonorrea ha sido positivo podrás volver a realizar consulta con el doctor para que te recete el tratamiento, o incluso para que te lo administre él mismo.
HIV (HIV) and P24 Antigen:
We offer the following tests:
- Combined test (HIV + P24 Ag)
- Performed using a small finger prick
- A 3-week window period is required to ensure reliability
- Results in 20 minutes
- This test must be confirmed 3 months after the date of exposure (risk event
- PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction)
- Small blood sample
- 7-day window period
- Results in 90 minutes
- This test does not require confirmation; the result is definitive.
What is the P24 antigen?
It is a viral protein that rises characteristically at the start of HIV infection. At this point the body has not yet had time to develop antibodies, so a test that only detects these would not be able to detect the infection.
What is the PCR test?
This test is well-known from the COVID era: it is simply the technique we use to detect the presence of a virus. It is a molecular biology test which involves the chain reaction amplification of the gene to be detected, in this case HIV.
It is the most reliable technique for this type of virus.
Hepatitis:
The detection of hepatitis antibodies is carried out via a small finger prick.
Results are obtained in 20 minutes and the window period is 15 days.
Hepatitis B and C are transmitted sexually, through blood and via the orofecal route (contact with faeces from infected individuals).
In many cases it is asymptomatic and goes unnoticed. If symptoms appear, the most common are:
- Fatigue
- Abdominal pain
- Dark urine
- Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes)
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea
- Mild fever
Erectile dysfunction:
We can speak of erectile dysfunction when a man has difficulty or is unable to achieve and maintain an erection firm enough to have sexual intercourse.
We can speak of different types (depending on the origin of the problem):
- Organic
- Psychological
- Mixed
Take the analytics here to rule out organic erectile dysfunction.
Herpes I o II
- Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) generally affects the mouth and lips and causes cold sores. However, it can be transmitted from the mouth to the genitals during oral sex
- Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) almost always causes genital herpes and can be transmitted through oral or genital secretions.
Transmission can occur if the skin, vagina, penis or mouth come into contact with someone who already has herpes.
In men the most common symptoms are blisters that may appear on the tongue, inside the mouth, around the eyes, on the gums, lips, fingers or other parts of the body (less frequently). In men, they most commonly appear on the penis, scrotum, around the anus, thighs or buttocks.
When the blisters break, they leave superficial ulcers that eventually crust over and heal in approximately 14 days.
Herpes Tests:
- Rapid Tests:
- Requirement: a lesion must be present to take the test
- Results in 20 minutes
- Qualitative result: you will know if it is herpes or not
- Sample: swab from the lesión
- Test to detect Herpes antibodies:
- No lesion is required
- Results in 48 hours
- Quantitative result; distinguishes between herpes type 1 and type 2, i.e. you will know if you have (or have had) herpes and which type it is.
- Sample: blood sample C
Tests related to men
Female
Symptoms indicative of an acute infection:
- A burning sensation when urinating
- A whitish or yellowish discharge from the penis
- Sore throat (gonococcal pharyngitis)
- Rectal pain
- Vaginal discharge that is clear, white, yellowish or greenish
- Discharge with a fishy smell
- Increased urination
- Itching
- Discomfort during sexual intercourse
Chlamydia and/or Gonorrhoea (Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea — Chlamydia trachomatis & Neisseria gonorrhoeae)
It is important to know that chlamydia and gonorrhoea are bacteria that can infect the areas of sexual contact: the penis, anus or throat. Their symptoms (if any) are usually similar, which is why at our clinic you will see a doctor who will advise you on the most appropriate test. The reality is that most cases are asymptomatic.
There are 2 types of tests and techniques:
- Rapid test using immunochromatography:
- Results in 20 minutes
- Cervical swab and only suitable for the genital area
- 85% reliability
- Can be performed from 15 days after the exposure to risk
- PCR test:
- Results in 90 minutes
- 99% reliability
- Can be performed at any time from the onset of symptoms or from the 3rd day after a possible high-risk sexual encounter (72 hours)
- The test can be taken from the vagina, anus or tonsils using a swab
Treatment
If your chlamydia and/or gonorrhoea test result is positive, you can return to your doctor for treatment, or even have it administered by them.
VIH (VIH) i Antigen P24:
We have the following tests:
- Combined test (HIV + P24 Ag)
- Performed using a small finger prick
- A 3-week window period is required to ensure reliability
- Results in 20 minutes
- This test must be confirmed 3 months after the date of exposure (risk exposure)
- PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction)
- Small blood sample
- 7-day window period
- Results in 90 minutes
- This test does not require confirmation; the result is definitive.
What is the P24 antigen?
It is a viral protein that rises characteristically at the start of an HIV infection. At this point, the body has not yet had time to develop antibodies, so a test that only detects these would not be able to detect the infection.
What is the PCR test?
This test is familiar from the COVID era: it is simply the technique we use to detect the presence of a virus. It is a molecular biology test that involves the chain reaction amplification of the gene to be detected, in this case HIV.
It is the most reliable technique available for this type of virus.
Bacterial culture
Cultures can be taken from different areas to detect the type of infection present:
- Throat: to rule out a streptococcal infection (group A and B). This is done using a swab, which is rubbed over the throat and tonsils.
- Urine: This rules out a urinary tract infection and identifies the bacteria responsible.
The results of this test are not immediate, as a large number of cells are required for the correct detection of the bacteria. The usual procedure is to wait two to three days for the cells to grow.
Trichomonas (Trichomonas vaginalis)
Trichomoniasis is a common sexually transmitted infection that usually does not cause symptoms. The infection is parasitic, is more common in women than in men, and is normally found in the genital tract (vulva, vagina, cervix).
When symptoms do appear, they are similar to those of other STIs.
What does the test involve?
It is carried out using a swab from the cervix, which is then analysed using the PCR technique. Results are available in 90 minutes and the test has a reliability of 99% sensitivity.
It can be done from the week of the risk contact or if symptoms appear.
Herpes I o II
Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) generally affects the mouth and lips and causes cold sores. However, it can be transmitted from the mouth to the genitals during oral sex.
Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) almost always causes genital herpes and can be transmitted through oral or genital secretions.
Transmission can occur if the skin, vagina, penis or mouth come into contact with someone who already has herpes.
Some symptoms may appear on the tongue, in the mouth, on the eyes, gums, lips, fingers or other parts of the body (less commonly). In women, they most commonly occur on the external vulva, vagina, cervix, around the anus and on the thighs or buttocks. Women may also experience an increased amount of vaginal discharge, or discharge that is a different colour or texture to usual.
When the blisters break, they leave superficial ulcers which eventually crust over and heal in approximately 14 days.
Herpes Tests:
- Rapid test:
- Requirement: a lesion must be present to be tested
- Results in 20 minutes
- Qualitative result: you will know if it is herpes or not
- Sample: swab from the lesion
- Test to detect Herpes antibodies:
- A lesion does not need to be present
- Results in 48 hours
- Quantitative result and distinguishes between herpes type 1 and type 2, i.e. you will know if you have (or have had) herpes and which type it is.
- Sample: blood simple
Tests related to women
If you have no symptoms
Most STIs tend to go unnoticed because they only cause discomfort in a minority of cases. If you are in any doubt, or a sexual partner tells you they have tested positive for an STI, the only way to find out for sure is to take the specific test.
If you have no symptoms and are unsure which test you should have, consult our doctor who can advise you (the cost of the consultation is included in the price of the test).
At the Travessera Medical Centre, your health is our priority.
At Travessera Medical Centre we understand that every patient is unique, and that is why we are dedicated to providing personalised, top-quality medical care. Our team of highly qualified professionals is here to listen to you, advise you and support you every step of the way towards your well-being.
