HIV & STI Testing
The only way to know if you have an STI is to get tested!
Why is testing important?
Want to know if you have an STI? Get tested!
Knowing your status helps you stay healthy. It's best to find out early so you can get treatment and take care of yourself. Lots of STIs don't have symptoms and spread easily, but they're also usually easy to treat.
Do I need to test?
Anyone can contract an STI including HIV. You should get an STI test as soon as possible if:
- you’ve noticed symptoms in the genitals or anus, for example: unexplained discharge, pain when passing urine, broken skin, a rash, lumps, pain during sex, vaginal bleeding between periods or during sex, or anal bleeding at any time.
- a sexual partner has been diagnosed with chlamydia, gonorrhoea, urethritis, syphilis, hepatitis B, or HIV (even if you don’t have symptoms yourself).
- You should test at least once a year if you are having sex.
How accurate is a Rapid Test?
Some Rapid tests are very high quality equivalent to laboratory testing. It's important to know the quality of test you are using as these are not regulated and some imported products aren’t that good. The biolytical Insti test we use for HIV/Syphilis testing is 99.96% accurate.
What if I have a positive result for HIV?
What if I have a negative result?
What if I have a positive result for HIV?
If you have a positive HIV result, it is important you engage in treatment as soon as possible. HIV treatment has evolved over the decades to great efficacy and minimal inconvenience. Current and publicly funded medication options in New Zealand usually entail two pills a day, rarely cause side effects, and are provided to everyone irrespective of residency status.
Treatment allows people living with HIV to lead perfectly healthy long lives and achieve an undetectable viral load. When undetectable, you cannot pass on the virus. The term most commonly use for this is U=U (undetectable equals untransmittable).
Plus, you won’t be alone: there are plenty of great local resources available, including our peer support, free counselling at Burnett Foundation, and comunity-specific services at Positive Women and Toitu Te Ao.
There are many services available to talk to you about your result. To get help from a registered nurse ring Healthline: 0800-611-116.
Be mindful of your privacy and who you tell. Resist the urge to tell people in your personal network, as reactions can be unpredictable. It is best to wait until you are comfortable with the situation, and you can manage people’s reactions. For more information see this disclosure guide.
Community services include peer navigators – HIV positive people who can talk to you about your possible HIV diagnosis, Counsellors who specialise in HIV can also be provided by the Burnett Foundation. If you feel distressed or if you need to speak to another person immediately, you should contact a 24/7 support service
You DO NOT have a legal duty to disclose your HIV status before having vaginal or anal sex if you use a condom, however if you do not intend to use a condom, you DO have a legal duty to disclose your HIV status before having vaginal or anal sex without a condom (regardless of your viral load).
What if I have a negative result?
If you have a negative result, we can discuss a prevention strategy to keep you negative and healthy. Using condoms and lube continues to be an effective option for preventing HIV, these are available free of charge through your GP and other community spaces. However, condoms are no longer the only option available.
The most effective single prevention method for HIV is PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis). PrEP is a pill that contains HIV medication prescribed to HIV-negative individuals. When taken as recommended, PrEP is 99% effective against HIV acquisition.
Likewise, PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) can be as effective when started within 72 hours after potential exposure to HIV. You can access PEP through GPs and emergency rooms. PrEP and PEP are the same drugs, just taken differently according to your exposure situation (pre or post).
For STI's, DoxyPEP is the use of the antibiotic doxycycline after oral, anal, or vaginal sex to help prevent getting chlamydia and syphilis. It's like a morning-after pill, but for STIs. If you have had syphilis or Chlamydia DoxyPEP is a good tool to prevent re-infection.
How often should I test?
If you are having sex or sharing injecting equipment you should get tested regularly rather than after each individual event. Twice a year is recommended, but if you have multiple partners and don't always use protection, every three months is even better!
Getting tested regularly keeps you engaged with your sexual health, allows for early detection and treatment of STIs and supports your general health. Check out our testing FAQ for answers to all your questions.
STI's
Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection that can be cured with antibiotics. It's very contagious and usually spread through close sexual contact. If it's not treated, it can cause serious problems, affecting your heart, brain, nerves, and other organs. If you're pregnant and have syphilis, it can harm your baby.
Testing is really important because finding and treating syphilis early with antibiotics can prevent these long-term issues. You might need to be tested more than once to make sure the infection is detected. Regular check-ups for STIs are a good idea, especially if you're at risk. If you are diagnosed with syphilis, it's essential to let your sexual partners know so they can get tested and treated, too.
Gonorrhoea is a common infection passed on through sexual contact. Many people don't have symptoms, so testing is really important if you're sexually active.
You can get it through oral, vaginal, or anal sex, even without full penetration. It can also be passed from a pregnant person to their baby during childbirth. If you do have symptoms, they might include discharge, pain when you pee or have sex, and unusual bleeding. If left untreated, gonorrhoea can lead to infertility.
Testing is easy, usually just a swab or urine test. Treatment typically involves an injection and tablets. Using condoms can help prevent the spread of gonorrhoea.
Chlamydia is a common infection passed on through sex. Many people don't have symptoms, but if it's not treated, it can cause serious problems, including not being able to have children.
You can get chlamydia through oral, vaginal, or anal sex, or by sharing sex toys. It can also be passed from a pregnant person to their baby during birth. If you have symptoms, you might notice discharge, pain when you pee or have sex, unusual bleeding, or lower abdominal pain.
Testing is easy, usually just a swab or urine test. If you have chlamydia, you'll need antibiotics, and so will your sexual partner(s). It's important to avoid sex or use condoms until 7 days after everyone has finished treatment. Using condoms every time you have sex is the best way to prevent chlamydia.
Hepatitis means inflammation of the liver. When the liver is inflamed or damaged, its function can be affected. The liver is an important organ in the body. It performs essential, life-sustaining functions.
There are treatments, taken as tablets, which offer the chance of curing the virus for most people living with Hep C. If left untreated, chronic Hep C can damage your liver. In some cases, after many years, this can lead to cirrhosis (severe scarring of the liver), liver failure and sometimes liver cancer.
Many people living with Hep C have no symptoms and are not aware that they are infected. You can get Hep C if your blood comes into contact with an infected person’s blood. So, if you think you might have been exposed in the past, it’s worth getting tested just to make sure.
Visit Stick It To HepC for more information.
Where can I get tested?
If you have symptoms you need to see a doctor or nurse. They can conduct an assessment and potentially provide treatment immediately. This is a good opportunity to have a chat about your activities and how to stay safe. For in person clinics go to your regular doctor, sexual health or sexual wellbeing.
If you don’t have symptoms, you can access self-testing or community testing as well. Testing that is provided through a laboratory provides the most comprehensive results. Self testing is convenient and quick but is slightly inferior to going to a specimen collection centre.
GP Clinics
You can talk confidentially to your GP about getting a full STI screening. The GP visit will incur a fee, however the lab tests should be free if you’re eligible for publicly funded health services in New Zealand. You could include this as part of a regular checkup. Cost: $20-$100
You can access a list of nationwide Sexual Health Services for free testing & treatment – find your local clinic at nzshs.org or justthefacts.co.nz. Cost: Free
Sexual Wellbeing Aotearoa has clinics across NZ, offering affordable, confidential, non-judgemental sexual and reproductive health care. Cost: $26-57
Self-Testing
PocketLab.nz is easy, very affordable, and operates nationally! Complete an online form and go directly to a Collection Centre. Your results are emailed to you the following day – and to your doctor if you give permission. Cost: $39
Burnett Foundation and SexualHealth101 will send a kit to you in the mail which you complete at home and then send back via mail, except for Syphilis, which requires you to go to a collection centre. Cost: HIV Free, STIs $20 (with Burnett Foundation discount)
MyTests.co.nz is a self request model at Awanui Labs. You can order and pay for the tests online and proceed to an Awanui Collection Centre without any conversation or clinic visit required. Cost: HIV $36.50 + fees
Life Pharmacy sells a reputable Abbott kit for HIV testing. Other kits are available on the internet but ensure that they are of good quality before purchasing. Cost: $40
Chemist Warehouse Pharmacies sell the Atomo HIV Self Test Kit. Cost: $33
Community Testing and Support
Community organisations offer point of care testing where the test is performed by a peer. These are community members rather than medical professionals so it might be more comfortable for you. The locations and hours might also make testing easier as well. Visit their websites for details:
Body Positive
Burnett Foundation
Positive Women
Toitu Te Ao
Sex Worker Collective
Needle Exchange
Telling your sexual partners
Informing your previous sexual contacts is really important when you have a sexually transmitted infection (STI). It helps to stop the infection from spreading, prevents you from getting it again, and reduces problems that the infection can cause. Sometimes, people don't even know they have an STI, so contact tracing is the best way to find out who might be at risk.
When it comes to letting your sexual partners know, you have a few options:
- You can tell them yourself: Your doctor can help you understand who you need to tell and what information to give them.
- Someone else can tell them: You can give your doctor the contact information, and they can let your partners know. This can be done anonymously if you prefer. They can contact your partners in person, by phone, text, email, or letter.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Anyone can contract an STI and this includes HIV.
You should test as soon as possible if:
- you’ve noticed symptoms in the genitals or anus, for example: unexplained discharge, pain when passing urine, broken skin, a rash, lumps, pain during sex, vaginal bleeding between periods or during sex, or anal bleeding at any time.
- a sexual partner has been diagnosed with chlamydia, gonorrhoea, urethritis, syphilis, hepatitis B, or HIV (even if you don’t have symptoms yourself).
- You should test at least once a year if you are having sex.
It is recommended that you test every three to six months if you’re a man (cis or trans) who has sex with more than one man and/or are in an open relationship with another man.
If you’re still unsure, or would like to speak to someone first, check our list of testing services for the closest place to seek out in-person testing.
Its important to know the quality of the test you are using as they are not regulated and some of them aren’t that good.
The rapid tests we use have an accuracy level of 99.96%
If you believe you have been exposed to HIV within the last 72 hours it is recommended that you seek out PEP or Post-Exposure Prophylaxis.
PEP should be started as soon as possible, ideally within a few hours after the potential exposure. If it is not started within 72 hours (3 days) of exposure to HIV it is likely that the drug will be ineffective.
For more information on how to access PEP contact us.
The testing service provided by Body Positive is free of charge to everyone. Donations are also welcome.
The cost elsewhere varies depending on the service provider you use.
We use the 'INSTI Multiplex HIV-1/HIV-2/Syphilis Antibody Test'. A simple pin prick is made on your thumb to produce a small drop of blood which is then added to the kit to determine the presence of any HIV or Syphilis antibodies. The whole process is quick and painless and normally takes less than 5 minutes.
These are the testing window periods: (the time after possible exposure where a possible infection will show up in tests)
- HIV: 4 weeks
- Chlamydia: 2 weeks
- Gonorrhoea: 2 weeks
- Syphilis: 12 weeks
If you think you may have been exposed to HIV in the last 72 hours, do not wait to test! Get immediate advice on taking PEP.
Yes, the person conducting the test will give you your HIV & Syphilis result instantly, so there is no stressful wait involved.
Free testing for Gonorrhoea & Chlamydia is also available at Body Positive in partnership with Auckland Sexual Health. These tests are processed by a lab, with results available usually within 7-9 days. Auckland Sexual Health will only contact you if either test is positive, to arrange treatment.
If you have had Syphilis before then your body will already contain the Syphilis antibodies. In this case you will need to have a full lab test via your local Sexual Health or GP instead of a rapid test. You can of course still have the Rapid HIV Test.
Yes, all information discussed when you are tested, including your details and your result and your completed consent form, are completely confidential.
Testing options via Body Positve
HIV & Syphilis Testing Drop-In Service
Available Free of Charge to Everyone
1/3 Poynton Terrace, Newton, Auckland
Mon-Wed 10am-4:30pm
Thurs 10am-6pm
Fri 10am-3:30pm
Men who have sex with men, also have the option to get tested for both Gonorrhoea and Chlamydia by taking a self swab test.
Sexual Health Clinic
STI Screening • Treatment • PrEP
1/3 Poynton Terrace, Newton, Auckland
Tuesdays 1:30pm-5pm
To attend the clinic, you must me a man who has sex with men
Booking is by appointment Only. Click Here to Book Online
Sex-on-Site Venue Testing
NO FORMS ● NO NAMES
Free HIV & Syphilis Testing at Auckland Sex on Site Venues
The Wingate Club
3rd Sunday of Every Month, 1-4PM
Lateshift
1st & 3rd Saturday of Every Month, 8-11PM
2nd & 4th Friday of Every Month, 8-11PM
Centurian Sauna
Every Sunday, 2-6pm
Every Orgy Night, 7-10pm
Support Hotlines
To get help from a registered nurse ring Healthline: 0800 611 116, or Free call or text 1737 any time for support from a trained counsellor
Some other great places to get support include:
Depression Helpline
(24 hours a day, 7 days a week), Freephone 0800-111-757 or free text 4202
Suicide Crisis Helpline
Freephone 0508-828-865 (0508 TAUTOKO)
Lifeline
Freephone 0800-543-354 or free text 4357 (HELP)
Samaritans Crisis Helpline
Freephone 0800-726-666 if you are experiencing loneliness, depression, despair, distress or suicidal feelings
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