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PrEP express clinic – patient information

The Express PrEP clinic provides a quick, free, confidential sexual health check for those who have no symptoms (haven’t noticed anything wrong) and to collect PrEP

What is PrEP Express?

  • This is a rapid service run by Health Care Support Workers (HCSWs)
  • You will not see a doctor or nurse today
  • We do not ask any detailed questions from you
  • You provide a urine sample and take swabs
  • We take a blood sample (from your arm)

PLEASE DO NOT PASS URINE FOR AT LEAST AN HOUR BEFORE YOU ARE TESTED.

What infections are tested for?

  • We test for Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea (urine, swabs), Syphilis and HIV and Hepatitis C and once a year kidney function (blood)

Are you worried about a specific sexual encounter or a risk you have taken recently?

There is a time gap (called the window period) between catching an infection and it showing up on the tests. Testing too early may miss an infection. We would recommend the following time gaps between the last sex contact and taking the tests:

  • Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea  – 2 weeks
  • HIV and Syphilis (blood test) – 4 weeks

If you are within the window period, you may have the tests today but we recommend you re-attend for repeat testing

Am I suitable for the PrEP express clinic?

You are NOT suitable for this express clinic if you:

  • are under 18 years old
  • have been or think you may have been sexually assaulted within the last 7 days
  • have not been taking PrEP regularly and been exposed to HIV within the past 72 hours
  • have any symptoms

Symptoms include: pain passing urine, discharge from the penis or back passage, , testicular pain or swelling, unusual discharge from front passage, lumps, bumps, blisters on the genitals.

The health care assistants are only able to answer basic questions and give you limited information.  If you have any specific questions or concerns which cannot be answered by the HCSWs, we advise you to book an appointment to see a nurse or a doctor.

Results

  • Results are usually available within 14 days and will be texted to your mobile phone. Please make sure your mobile number is recorded correctly and that you sign the consent form to receive text messages.

If any of your tests results are positive you will receive a text message asking you to phone us so that we can discuss your results and arrange treatment.