FabSwingers.com forum: Free Sti screens

By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

I posted this a few weeks ago but posting again to remind people and to answer a few questions I got a lot privately about it

Here's the link https://sh24.ie/

This service is completely free and confidential service by the HSE. The package arrives in discreet envelope

On last thread I said it was all counties but actually they are at 20 counties. Use Parcel Hotel if your county isn't listed

They will text results if negative and call you if there's a issue

The samples are taken yourself by blood and swabbing. I recommend warming up before drawing the blood as it will takes ages to draw samples

Sometimes there will be a issue with samples and you will need to retake the test they will send out new test kit. For example my blood test clotted so they couldn't test for HIV or Syphilis. Here is a good article to explain how to prevent it happening when you draw samples

https://medichecks.com/blogs/news/what-causes-blood-sample-errors

They test for the four most commonly Sti's Syphilis HIV Gonorrhoea and Chylmadia

My wait time for results was nearly two weeks. They send off your pack to UK labs for testing. You get a text when the lab receives it and then get a text with results.

It's a wonderful service highly recommend would be great to see more people avail of it. There's still so much stigma around sexual health

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

Hello. We have received your SH:24 test kit which will be processed within 72hrs. We will send your results by text - if you are worried about privacy, you may wish to change your phone's notification settings. Thanks, SH:24

So you get this text as well so you can go into message settings and turn it to silent if you don't want it popping up as notification on phone.

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

I should have added about Parcel Motel. Parcel Motel offers a 'virtual address. It's €3.25 to get delivery of parcel. You then send back your sample the normal method through An Post

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

It's actually a fantastic service, highly recommended. You're doing God's work Rosy x

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By *ussieGuyInDubMan
over a year ago

Docklands

Got mine because of the status I saw of yours. For us men (at least cis hetero men) it's a urine sample instead of a swab just to give a head up.

Thanks for calling this out.

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

"Got mine because of the status I saw of yours. For us men (at least cis hetero men) it's a urine sample instead of a swab just to give a head up.

Thanks for calling this out. "

Oh great thanks for pointing that out! I hadn't read much on male part of it.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I was having a quick look at the service again.

One thing it's not clear on is when or how long after unprotected sex should you use it? It does say if you have symptoms but what do you do if you don't have symptoms?

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"I was having a quick look at the service again.

One thing it's not clear on is when or how long after unprotected sex should you use it? It does say if you have symptoms but what do you do if you don't have symptoms?

sh24 is only if you DON’T have symptoms. If you do you should go to an in person clinic.

As for the time period different STI’s have different incubation times so testing a few times is encouraged. For example HIV can be first detected up to six months after exposure.

Hope this helps?

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

"I was having a quick look at the service again.

One thing it's not clear on is when or how long after unprotected sex should you use it? It does say if you have symptoms but what do you do if you don't have symptoms?

sh24 is only if you DON’T have symptoms. If you do you should go to an in person clinic.

As for the time period different STI’s have different incubation times so testing a few times is encouraged. For example HIV can be first detected up to six months after exposure.

Hope this helps?"

Yes exactly you are asked a serious of questions and if you do have symptoms they say you should attend clinic for testing.

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

https://www.sexualwellbeing.ie/sexual-health/hse-sti-services-in-ireland.html

This is the list of clinics again all free and confidential. But with certain areas you might be waiting few weeks for appointment and results.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"I was having a quick look at the service again.

One thing it's not clear on is when or how long after unprotected sex should you use it? It does say if you have symptoms but what do you do if you don't have symptoms?

sh24 is only if you DON’T have symptoms. If you do you should go to an in person clinic.

As for the time period different STI’s have different incubation times so testing a few times is encouraged. For example HIV can be first detected up to six months after exposure.

Hope this helps?"

Was just curious as didn't read it on site saying that I only jad a quick read

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By *elfastblondMan
over a year ago

Belfast

For those in Northern Ireland it is sh24.org.uk and is a fantastic service

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

I can't stress enough the warm hands for blood taking. Last one took me forever as my hands were cold and the blood clotted so sample was no good. So do it after exercise or shower. I did it this morning after putting my hand in warm water and it took seconds to draw enough blood.

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By *ensualnFunCouple
over a year ago

Midlands

Well done Rosy for raising this up.

If you’re sexually active with multiple partners ( which most of us here are) it is recommended to test regularly. At least every 6 months as a lot of STIs can be got even if you have protected sex.

1 trip a year to a clinic to test your throat and your butt (even if you don’t have anal sex, for women you can still get something there, not common but possible).

Very few people ask for their throat to be swabbed but if you give oral to men and/or female, it’s a must!

Again well done Rosie.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Normal advice is no sexual activity one week beforehand..Around 3 week wait for sti clinic results...Every 4 months regardless of how much activity had it can take up to 6 months for some to appear..

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By *organ DeanWoman
over a year ago

Belfast

Being well hydrated will help with the blood sample.

I recommend checking what time your postbox collection is and doing it in advance, my blood clotted once when I posted it after collection and had to redo it. Its been fine the next 2 times.

Devine this is what they sent me when I requested a test sooner than 3 months from the previous test.

Hello. Here is some helpful information whilst you wait for your SH:24 test kit: Infections may not show up in tests immediately after exposure, so it's important you test at the right time. We recommend doing the blood test 7 weeks after your potential exposure - you can watch a 2 minute video to help you take a blood sample here: youtube.com/watch?v=vZ95tnbcexs. Check the best time to take your test here: sh24.org.uk/sexual-health/stis/sti-testing. We apologise in advance for any delivery delays, thank you for your patience and understanding at this time, SH:24

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Being well hydrated will help with the blood sample.

I recommend checking what time your postbox collection is and doing it in advance, my blood clotted once when I posted it after collection and had to redo it. Its been fine the next 2 times.

Devine this is what they sent me when I requested a test sooner than 3 months from the previous test.

Thanks x

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I use this and it really is a great service! The bloods are very tricky for me though. I kept clotting immediately after each finger prick

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By *ofusplusCouple
over a year ago

Limerick

"I use this and it really is a great service! The bloods are very tricky for me though. I kept clotting immediately after each finger prick

Happened to me for the first 4 lances, the finger was in bits, so sore! Then I ran the other finger under the warm tap as Rosy suggested above and it was much easier, lesson learned

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

They are great...

results comes back pretty quick too.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"I use this and it really is a great service! The bloods are very tricky for me though. I kept clotting immediately after each finger prick

Happened to me for the first 4 lances, the finger was in bits, so sore! Then I ran the other finger under the warm tap as Rosy suggested above and it was much easier, lesson learned

Will definitely try that the next time around

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

"I use this and it really is a great service! The bloods are very tricky for me though. I kept clotting immediately after each finger prick

Happened to me for the first 4 lances, the finger was in bits, so sore! Then I ran the other finger under the warm tap as Rosy suggested above and it was much easier, lesson learned

Will definitely try that the next time around

First time around I was 40 minutes trying but it had clotted so sample no good. This morning it took seconds as my hands were so warm. I had cup of tea then had my hands washed in warm water then warmed them on radiator just to be sure! I wasn't going through that hassle again!

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Although I always wear protection I use these every now and then as I have a pretty active sex life.

Definitely worth the peace of mind and I would highly recommend everyone do them at least once a year.

Great to see they're now available all around the country

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

So after you send off pack you'll get a text like this within few days

You tested negative for HIV, chlamydia (genital), gonorrhoea (genital) and syphilis (EIA). When testing in the future, click this link to learn more about when infections show up in tests, so you don't re-test too soon: https://sh24.org.uk/sexual-health/stis/sti-testing. Thanks, SH:24

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By *umon337Man
over a year ago

Offaly

Great to get this info. Thanks

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

A fabber reached out to me to give me this information. It's much appreciated that they shared this. I think we just need to keep discussing this important topic

Didn't really want to post this myself, but thought you could share it anonymously for me. I got a positive result and got the news via text, not a phone call. Here's a copy of it (identification number switched out for obvious reasons.

Thanks again for posting this, should hopefully get a few more people testing and catching this stuff earlier.

Hello, your chlamydia (genital) test result are positive and showed you need treatment. Please visit sh24.ie/dublin-clinics to make an appointment with one of our partner clinic sites to get treatment. Please let them know you tested via SH:24 and show them this text message and your SH:24 user ID XXX-XXXXXX when in clinic. You tested negative for HIV, gonorrhoea (genital) and syphilis (EIA). Text back if you would like help. Thanks, SH:24

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By *illyouup400Man
over a year ago

City

Fairplay Rosy for starting the thread and posting so much really useful detail and promoting such an important topic.

Well done and many thanks.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Also, ladies, don't forget to keep up with your smear tests, HPV is very common and can be transmitted EVEN when using condoms (it's also transmitted via unprotected oral).

Even if you've had the HPV vaccine, it's still important to have regular smears as it doesn't protect against all of the cancer-causing strains of the virus.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"I posted this a few weeks ago but posting again to remind people and to answer a few questions I got a lot privately about it

Here's the link https://sh24.ie/

This service is completely free and confidential service by the HSE. The package arrives in discreet envelope

On last thread I said it was all counties but actually they are at 20 counties. Use Parcel Hotel if your county isn't listed

They will text results if negative and call you if there's a issue

The samples are taken yourself by blood and swabbing. I recommend warming up before drawing the blood as it will takes ages to draw samples

https://medichecks.com/blogs/news/what-causes-blood-sample-errors

They test for the four most commonly Sti's Syphilis HIV Gonorrhoea and Chylmadia

My wait time for results was nearly two weeks. They send off your pack to UK labs for testing. You get a text when the lab receives it and then get a text with results.

It's a wonderful service highly recommend would be great to see more people avail of it. There's still so much stigma around sexual health "

Well done OP, its a very convenient service and easy to follow instructions. Feels good knowing one has done their bit in looking after their own health!!