Community voices

Hello!

Hello!

Hello!

Before play, I like to feel confident I'm looking after myself by knowing my HIV and STI status.

Now there are so many ways I can get tested.

Before I play in a new country, I test for HIV and STIs at a sexual health clinic. 

Here in Australia booking an appointment is a breeze, and the consultation is free, confidential and doesn't require Medicare at all.

Plus, they offer interpreter services if need be. 

The nurse takes my blood sample which is quick and painless, then I get a couple of swabs and a urine cup to collect the samples myself in the bathroom, avoiding any potential awkward moments with a doctor.

The staff are professional and friendly, creating a welcoming environment where I can truly be myself.

I feel assured knowing that all data collected during the test is secure and confidential.

If a test comes back positive for an STI, like gonorrhoea or chlamydia, there's no need to worry.

Treatment for STI is straightforward, easy, and in most cases free.

Before I play with a new partner, I like to get tested by my local general practitioner, commonly known as GP.

I just let them know that I want a full HIV and STI screen. 

Depending on the doctor, some require a fee to be paid, but if you have health insurance this may cover some or all of the costs, so I always ask ahead.

The good thing about the doctor is that I can also get my script for PrEP, which

is a medication that lot of folks use to prevent HIV. 

I'm an international student and I also have a job, so it's hard to find time to visit clinic or doctor. 

Before I play, I like to use HIV self test kit which I can order for free online and use it privately in a comfort of my own home. 

I know that I can get a quick result in 15 minutes, which is very convenient, but it only tests for HIV.

So I still need to find time to get tested regularly at a clinic or with a doctor for at STIs.

It's worth it, though, to stay healthy.

So whatever way you choose, make testing for HIV and other STI, your BeforePlay.

It's definitely important to have sort of national program about sexual health and I think SE testing is something people might not do as often as they should.

I guess most people think they're immune to everything, so sometimes people like take it very lightly. 

I was confused a lot based on how easy is it to catch it or spread it.

I feel like there are still people who are confused about the sexual health things, cuz they feel like it's something that they did wrong and I feel like yeah that should be the one thing that they should remove from their mind.

Anyone, at any time could have NCR. 

It is something that could happen to anyone and it's not a bad thing to get tested.

It's something that for your own health the health of the people you care about.

If you can go to a partner and say I know for a fact that I am completely STI free that that is great and it's attractive as well.

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When I was younger I would have liked to known probably more information about how STI were transmitted.

The main thing would just be knowing more about what it is, what form they can take.

I think if somebody would have told me like further repercussions after it as well.

What to look for and like how to get it sort out if you think you might have STI of some sort

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You think STI are a rare thing that happens, not to 1 out of 6 it's a pretty high number

They're a lot more common than people like to believe 

Yeah doesn't surprise me a lot of people would have the view that it's the end of the world but it just isn't especially if you're are sexually active 

It's very integral that you get tested and it should be a discussion that you have with partners

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I'm pretty open about my sort of personal sexual health and I I'm pretty open discussing with friends and family.

I don't have any issues.

I think it's really important that we start to open all channels of discussion cuz it will just be better for everyone in the long run

If you find it Troublesome to talk about your sexual health an easy way to start would be to admit that you feel awkward about with someone because everyone some standard feels awkward

You can find someone you're comfortable with trying to gradually open up that conversation and then through that you can start diving into the deeper topics

Even if not a friend like you can just have like doctor visits you don't have to tell anybody about it a professional can help you figure it

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Out I would say someone who hasn't been tested honestly it's a peace of mind and

It's good to get them regularly if you have sexual activity to make sure that you're are continuing to be healthy and to figure out if you're not and to know what to do from there

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