Safe Sex / STD

[Tom2007]

I've been checking myself time to time to be sure, but always did those tests at private hospitals. I was bit reluctant to use government services assuming I'll have to expose my real identity. Because with private hospitals you just give a mobile number and some name, they don't care beyond that. Experience with private hospitals isn't the nicest to be honest. Even though you're just going for a test, they make it feels like already having a STD. This place however, seems like a good place to visit for next checkup.

Still, I've few clarifications. I'll post them below. It would be a real help for me and other members if a fellow monger who happened to use the services of this place can enlighten us.

At the above govt place, they collect name, age and address for which you can give fake info except age (Why hide age? They don't ask name, address or age proof. Thereafter each patient is assigned a 4 digit code (like for prisoners). You will be called / addressed using this code. Very nice staff. They will check everything without asking. When we met a usual doctor, the doctor used to start the conversation asking us " what is the problem " etc. But here nothing like that. One thing is that you need to go there without passing urine for 3 hrs for successful urine test and another test that they do with fluid taken from penis hole. Otherwise you need to wait there for 3 hrs or make another visit.

If tests are negative they will repeat tests in 3 months and still negative they will "close" the file and they don't want you to visit them again unless you need to. However if you need to get any tests done you can visit them again by using the same 4 digit code name.

If tests are positive they will give medicine and you will have to continue visiting them until they ask not to. Early detection of even HIV will lead to fully normal life now. Sometime ago it was said it is "near normal" life. Thanks to scientists it is not "fully normal life" now. But remember early diagnosis matters.

With regard to your 4th question, usually the reports are available in a week (this means if you visit them again in a week). But if you could speak to the attendant by the time he collects your sample, they will make sure that reports are available within one hour so that you can get things done in one visit. If an attendant guy helps you in that regard, he will meet you as if accidentally at the staircase when you are returning expecting some money. Couple of hundreds would do. When they meet you at the staircase they will carry a file and they will open it you just need to put the amount you like to it. If you don't want to promote this culture, be normal and visit the clinic in the next week.

All in all, Superb service. All free of charge. Why paying thumping amounts to pvt hospitals.

[Kelum87]

Don't pay 25 k. The STD test can be done free of charge discreetly at.

National STD / AIDS Control Programme.

No. 29, De Saram place.

Colombo 10,

Very professional place no questions asked. If tests prove positive they provide treatment too.

I've been checking myself time to time to be sure, but always did those tests at private hospitals. I was bit reluctant to use government services assuming I'll have to expose my real identity. Because with private hospitals you just give a mobile number and some name, they don't care beyond that. Experience with private hospitals isn't the nicest to be honest. Even though you're just going for a test, they make it feels like already having a STD. This place however, seems like a good place to visit for next checkup.

Still, I've few clarifications. I'll post them below. It would be a real help for me and other members if a fellow monger who happened to use the services of this place can enlighten us.

1) Is this place doesn't really ask questions? Even if a test result came positive?

2) What sort of patient information they capture?

3) Do they conduct all the STD tests or just the HIV test?

4) How long does it take usually? Can I wait and get the results same day?

[The Old Teaboy]

I have been having on & off rashes on my penis for a year now. I went to 3 different dermatologists & first two said it was fungal infection & treated me for it. Both the time the rash goes off & comes back in a few weeks, they asked to continue the anti fungal cream every time it returned. Finally I met my 3rd dermatologist last week & he diagnosed it as Herpes simplex infection & gave me antiviral medication which I am taking now & seeing improvements, but I experienced the same with the anti fungal treatment too. So my confusion is, is any of the diagnosis right? Is there any tests I can do on my own to diagnose this? Any of you have similar experience. Googling is not helpful.

This article mentions 3 tests for herpes, but I don't know whether they are available in Sri Lanka.

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-...t/drc-20356167

It would be best to go to the free STD clinic on De Saram Road. They may ask you to get the tests done privately.

[Gonas]

I have been having on & off rashes on my penis for a year now. I went to 3 different dermatologists & first two said it was fungal infection & treated me for it. Both the time the rash goes off & comes back in a few weeks, they asked to continue the anti fungal cream every time it returned. Finally I met my 3rd dermatologist last week & he diagnosed it as Herpes simplex infection & gave me antiviral medication which I am taking now & seeing improvements, but I experienced the same with the anti fungal treatment too. So my confusion is, is any of the diagnosis right? Is there any tests I can do on my own to diagnose this? Any of you have similar experience. Googling is not helpful.

How stupid of a doctor to diagnose it as herpes when he is a dermatologist. Specially in social diseases like this you need to be careful. Imagine if the word had gone around that you are herpes infected when you are not!

[Pro23]

Some 3,200 people are HIV-positive in the country and 100 are infected with syphilis and gonorrhea. Pregnant women have free access to prenatal tests. Since 2011, pregnant women who have received treatment for the virus have given birth to healthy children.

http://www.asianews.it/news-en/HIV-v...rol-47312.html

[Mage Wasthuwa]

Is this something prescribed by the doctor or something you asked over the counter?

Don't pay 25 k. The STD test can be done free of charge discreetly at.

National STD / AIDS Control Programme.

No. 29, De Saram place.

Colombo 10,

Very professional place no questions asked. If tests prove positive they provide treatment too.

[Kamakolla]

After the doctor diagnosed me with HSV I did a complete STD check from Lanka hospital. This included HSV, HIV, Syphilis, etc. I got all my results & all came out negative. I completely lost faith in doctors now. I was talking antiviral meds for no reason. If anyone have doubts or worried you might have STD, I would recommend this check. It cost me 25 K & the overall experience was good.

Is this something prescribed by the doctor or something you asked over the counter?

[Naan1]

Googling health symptoms could lead you to misdiagnose yourself.

From personal experience, my recommendation is to visit the National STD / AIDS Control Programme on 29, De Saram Place, Colombo 2 for a free and confidential consultation.

After the doctor diagnosed me with HSV I did a complete STD check from Lanka hospital. This included HSV, HIV, Syphilis, etc. I got all my results & all came out negative. I completely lost faith in doctors now. I was talking antiviral meds for no reason. If anyone have doubts or worried you might have STD, I would recommend this check. It cost me 25 K & the overall experience was good.

[Dynolas]

As far as I know you should take a blood test to confirm it. Also HSV won't go away, but rather medication will reduce the number of outbreak and severity. Better to consult a STD Consultant or visit the 33rd room on Norris canel road. Also refrain from having sex (even oral) with others.

Get a HPV vaccine to protect you from warts.

[Kamakolla]

I have been having on & off rashes on my penis for a year now. I went to 3 different dermatologists & first two said it was fungal infection & treated me for it. Both the time the rash goes off & comes back in a few weeks, they asked to continue the anti fungal cream every time it returned. Finally I met my 3rd dermatologist last week & he diagnosed it as Herpes simplex infection & gave me antiviral medication which I am taking now & seeing improvements, but I experienced the same with the anti fungal treatment too. So my confusion is, is any of the diagnosis right? Is there any tests I can do on my own to diagnose this? Any of you have similar experience. Googling is not helpful.

As far as I know you should take a blood test to confirm it. Also HSV won't go away, but rather medication will reduce the number of outbreak and severity. Better to consult a STD Consultant or visit the 33rd room on Norris canel road. Also refrain from having sex (even oral) with others.

[Member #4696]

Googling health symptoms could lead you to misdiagnose yourself.

From personal experience, my recommendation is to visit the National STD / AIDS Control Programme on 29, De Saram Place, Colombo 2 for a free and confidential consultation.

I have been having on & off rashes on my penis for a year now. I went to 3 different dermatologists & first two said it was fungal infection & treated me for it. Both the time the rash goes off & comes back in a few weeks, they asked to continue the anti fungal cream every time it returned. Finally I met my 3rd dermatologist last week & he diagnosed it as Herpes simplex infection & gave me antiviral medication which I am taking now & seeing improvements, but I experienced the same with the anti fungal treatment too. So my confusion is, is any of the diagnosis right? Is there any tests I can do on my own to diagnose this? Any of you have similar experience. Googling is not helpful.

[Naan1]

I have been having on & off rashes on my penis for a year now. I went to 3 different dermatologists & first two said it was fungal infection & treated me for it. Both the time the rash goes off & comes back in a few weeks, they asked to continue the anti fungal cream every time it returned. Finally I met my 3rd dermatologist last week & he diagnosed it as Herpes simplex infection & gave me antiviral medication which I am taking now & seeing improvements, but I experienced the same with the anti fungal treatment too. So my confusion is, is any of the diagnosis right? Is there any tests I can do on my own to diagnose this? Any of you have similar experience. Googling is not helpful.

[The Old Teaboy]

I had a similar, awkward experience even inquiring about tests at private hospitals. Once, the nurse in the bleeding room was even scared to draw blood out of me, because I was there for a HIV antigen test.

But, I can in full confidence recommend the NSACP. The doctors were very reassuring, the nurses. Men have a separate section and so do women, so in the men's section, all nurses are men. Knew their role, did about six tests with no charge and had no awkward waiting times or conversations. Had three consultations, for every three months.

I agree that we should make use of the free service at the De saram Place clinic. The address is 29, De Saram Place, Colombo 10. Why should we pay money to rude private doctors?

[Member #4696]

I had a similar, awkward experience even inquiring about tests at private hospitals. Once, the nurse in the bleeding room was even scared to draw blood out of me, because I was there for a HIV antigen test.

But, I can in full confidence recommend the NSACP. The doctors were very reassuring, the nurses. Men have a separate section and so do women, so in the men's section, all nurses are men. Knew their role, did about six tests with no charge and had no awkward waiting times or conversations. Had three consultations, for every three months.

[Kamakolla]

I'd like to share my experience with getting tested for STD. Last couple of days I had irritation around my anus area and got scared upon finding small dots around anus area.

I've had a panic attack for next couple of days and my thoughts were into whether I have had compromised my family life etc etc. Finally made up my mind and meet with a doctor. I searched online and booked with Dr. Kulasiri Buddhakorala.

Finally the time arrived and I went to consult him at Nawaloka. The whole experience was very awkward starting form talking to the ladies behind booking counter to talking with the nurses assigned.

Appointment was at 5 PM and doctor came around 5:30 PM. I went inside the room and doctor asked the nurse to leave. Trust me this bugger is very rude. He was asking various questions like when did I last had sex, where I'm living, what are the symptoms I have etc. But it could be asked in a nice manner but he was so rude in talking with me. For example, "[Non-English text deleted by Admin]" is the first question he asked in a rude way as if I committed a crime.

Finally he asked me to pull my pants and checked the marks. Then he want back to write a prescription and tests. Since he didn't say anything I asked him "Sir! Does it look like something. Or what? Then he replied "No, but we can't be sure about it, so let's get it checked. Meanwhile apply the cream I've written here. This might be fungal infection". I said "Thanks" and left the room. I was already very stressed and after the encounter I was even more stressed.

He wrote tests for HIV I & II, HSV I && II and Syphilis. He specifically asked to do it at Lanka hospital. Again awkward situation at lanka hospitals starting from paying money for tests and giving blood to lab technicians. BTW right after seeing the doctors name the guy behind the counter said 11,150 rupees. I think the doctor write same set of tests for patients.

After a week, today the moment of truth. I'm declared negative and cleared. I'm so much relieved after checking the report online. I have no idea what would I have done if the tests came positive.

I thought of sharing it because instead of googling for symptoms and getting worked out, just check it out and have a peace of mind. Though I was very nervous, back of the mind, I had a hope since I always used condoms and practiced safe sex with all the women I met.

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