Private STI Testing in London:
What Is Tested and How It Works
A comprehensive private sexual health screen covers all major STIs with confidential results, same-day appointments, and no referral needed.
In brief: A comprehensive private STI screen at Victoria Medical covers chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis, HIV, herpes, hepatitis B and C, and trichomonas. Testing involves a combination of urine samples, swabs, and blood tests depending on the infections being screened. Results are available within 3–5 working days. All consultations are strictly confidential. No GP referral is needed — book directly at Victoria Medical.
What Is Included in a Private STI Screen?
STI testing in England has increased significantly since the introduction of online postal self-sampling — a 2025 study in The Lancet Regional Health found that testing activity for chlamydia and gonorrhoea more than doubled in areas that implemented online testing services.[1] Despite this, many STIs remain substantially underdiagnosed — chlamydia in particular is estimated to affect over 200,000 people in England annually, with the majority unaware of their infection.[2]
| STI | Test Type | Symptoms | Treatment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chlamydia | NAAT (urine or swab) | Often asymptomatic; discharge, pelvic pain, dysuria | Azithromycin or doxycycline |
| Gonorrhoea | NAAT (urine or swab) | Discharge, dysuria; often asymptomatic | Ceftriaxone IM injection |
| Syphilis | Blood test (TPPA/RPR) | Painless ulcer (primary), rash (secondary), late complications | Benzathine penicillin G |
| HIV | 4th generation Ag/Ab blood test | Flu-like illness (acute); often asymptomatic for years | Antiretroviral therapy (ART) |
| Herpes (HSV-1/2) | Swab from lesion (PCR) | Painful blisters/ulcers; recurrent outbreaks | Aciclovir (suppressive or episodic) |
| Hepatitis B | Blood test (HBsAg, anti-HBc) | Jaundice, fatigue; often asymptomatic | Antivirals; vaccination available |
| Hepatitis C | Blood test (anti-HCV, PCR) | Often asymptomatic; chronic liver disease | Direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) |
| Trichomonas | NAAT or wet prep | Vaginal discharge, itching (women); often asymptomatic (men) | Metronidazole |
From Our Practice — Dr George Xynopoulos
"Sexual health testing is one of the most important preventive health measures available. The majority of STIs are asymptomatic — particularly chlamydia and gonorrhoea — which means the only way to know your status is to test. At Victoria Medical, we provide a completely confidential, non-judgmental service. I would encourage anyone who is sexually active and has not been tested recently to consider a comprehensive screen. Early detection means early treatment and prevents onward transmission."
Frequently Asked Questions
How soon after exposure can I get tested?
Window periods vary by infection. HIV: 4th generation tests are reliable from 45 days post-exposure. Chlamydia and gonorrhoea: NAAT tests are reliable from 2 weeks. Syphilis: blood tests are reliable from 6 weeks. If you have had a recent high-risk exposure, a GP consultation can advise on appropriate timing and whether post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is indicated for HIV.
Is private STI testing confidential?
Yes. All consultations and test results at Victoria Medical are strictly confidential. Your results are not shared with your GP or NHS records without your explicit consent. We understand that sexual health is a sensitive area and treat all patients with complete discretion.
Do I need a GP referral for private STI testing?
No. At Victoria Medical you can self-refer for a private sexual health screen without a GP referral. Same-day appointments are usually available.
How quickly will I get my results?
Most STI results are available within 3–5 working days. Rapid HIV tests can provide a result within 30 minutes. We will contact you by your preferred method when your results are ready.
What happens if a test is positive?
If a test is positive, our team will contact you promptly to discuss the result, arrange treatment, and advise on partner notification. Most STIs are highly treatable when detected early. We can arrange treatment at Victoria Medical or refer to a specialist sexual health clinic if needed.
References
- [1]Gibbs J, Sheringham J, Mercer CH, et al. STI testing and key outcomes following implementation of online postal self-sampling into sexual health services in England. Lancet Reg Health Eur. 2025;40:100903. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lanepe.2024.100903
- [2]UKHSA. Sexually transmitted infections and screening for chlamydia in England: 2022 report. UK Health Security Agency. 2023. https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/sexually-transmitted-infections-stis-annual-data-tables
- [3]Patel CG, Rana AI, Tashima KT, et al. STI/HIV Testing and Prevalence of Gonorrhea and Chlamydia Among Persons with Their Specified-Type Sex Partner. Am J Med. 2021;134(12):1508–1515. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amjmed.2021.06.034
- [4]NICE. Sexually transmitted infections: condom use. NICE public health guideline PH3. 2007 (updated 2022). https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ph3
- [5]British Association for Sexual Health and HIV (BASHH). UK National Guidelines for the Management of Gonorrhoea. 2019. https://www.bashh.org/guidelines
- [6]NICE. HIV testing: increasing uptake among people who may have undiagnosed HIV. NICE guideline PH33. 2011 (updated 2020). https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ph33
Dr George Xynopoulos
Consultant Physician & Cardiologist | GMC Registered | MRCP (UK)
Dr Xynopoulos is a Consultant Physician and Cardiologist at Victoria Medical, 170 Vauxhall Bridge Road, London.
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Confidential private sexual health screening at Victoria Medical. Same-day appointments.
020 3146 9508