Sex and Covid-19

Current Government guidance advises that you should not travel unless necessary or meet people from outside of your household. This includes partners who do not live with you, or any other person for sexual contact.

If your partner lives in the same household, it is safe to have sex. However, we advise that you abstain from sexual contact if your partner is showing any signs of the Coronavirus.

Condoms can reduce the risk of catching or passing on sexually transmitted infections if they are used correctly. We can provide this from the clinic, either for collection or we can send these out in the post.

Advice for Men who have sex with Men

Screening for Sexually Transmitted infections (STIs)

If you are having any sexual contact without using condoms, we recommend that you have an STI test at least every three months as many infections don’t show any signs that you have an STI or have symptoms.

If you are concerned that you may have contracted an STI please phone the clinic as soon as possible for advice.

Tests for chlamydia and gonorrhoea

These can be done from the penis (urine sample), bottom (swab) and / or throat (swab).

If you have symptoms of an STI you will usually be asked to attend clinic.

If you do not have symptoms of an STI, tests can be posted out to you. The person you speak to will discuss the best option for testing with you, which may be via the clinic or via an on-line testing service.

Tests for HIV and Syphilis

This is a blood test.

If your need is assessed as urgent, you will be asked to attend clinic.

If your need is assessed as routine, you will be signposted to an on-line provider who will send the test kit out to you. You will get your results directly from them.

Tests for Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C

This is a blood test.

If your need is assessed as urgent, you will be asked to attend clinic.

If your need is assessed as routine, you will be signposted to an on-line provider who will send the test kit out to you. You will get your results directly from them.

PrEP

PrEP is Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis and is a pill that people without HIV can take to reduce their risk of getting HIV. It can be taken every day or around each episode of sex and is not required if condoms are used. PrEP is not available on the NHS yet, but can be bought on the internet. Further information is available from www.iwantprepnow.com.

We can offer on-line routine STI testing and limited in-clinic monitoring for people who choose to take PrEP. Please contact the clinic for further advice.

PEPSE

PEPSE (Post-Exposure Prophylaxis after Sexual Exposure) is a 28-day course of tablets that can be taken if you have very recently been at risk of getting HIV, for example if you have had unprotected sex with someone who has HIV and is not on treatment. PEPSE must be started within 72 hours of the unprotected sex occurring. If you think you may need PEPSE, please ring the clinic as soon as possible to discuss this with a member of the team.

Vaccinations for Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B and HPV

Hepatitis A

The Hepatitis virus enters the body through the mouth and can be caught through oral sex. Most people only have a mild illness but liver damage can occur. A vaccine against Hepatitis A is available. Most people get protection from one injection but a second is recommended 6-12 months later. There is a blood test to see if you need Hepatitis A vaccine. During the current Covid-19 outbreak we are not offering routine vaccination but if you are assessed as being at very high risk of Hepatitis A we may ask you to attend clinic for the vaccine.

Hepatitis B

For most people, the Hepatitis B virus causes a mild infection that does not need treatment, but in a small number of cases a more serious infection needing hospital treatment can occur. About 1 in 10 people do not clear the virus and may develop problems including liver damage and liver cancer. They may also pass the infection on to people that they have sex with. Hepatitis B can be treated but not cured and can be prevented by having a course of 3 or 4 vaccinations. A blood test will show whether the vaccine has worked.

During the current Covid-19 outbreak we are not offering routine vaccination but if you are assessed as being at very high risk of hepatitis B we may ask you to attend clinic for the vaccine.

HPV vaccination

HPV infection can cause genital warts and some types of cancer. A vaccine is available to prevent infection and reduce the risk of developing these cancers. This vaccine is offered on the NHS if you are aged 15 – 45 years old and is a course of 3 injections given over 4-6 months.

During the current Covid-19 outbreak we are not offering this vaccination. We plan to restart once our service resumes normal activity. If you would like to have this vaccine in the future, please contact the clinic and we will add you to our vaccination waiting list.

U=U ( Undetectable = Untransmissible)