Don’t wait for symptoms, because many infections are completely symptomless
“I would recommend getting tested whenever you have had sex without a condom, if a condom has broken, when you have a new sexual partner, or if you develop symptoms such as unusual discharge, pain when urinating, sores, lumps, itching, or unexpected bleeding. You should also arrange a test if a partner tells you that they have been diagnosed with an STI.
“Different STIs also have different window periods, so testing immediately after sex may be too early for an infection to appear in the results. Contact a sexual health service for personalised advice about when to test and whether you will need a follow-up test.
“Students can visit their local NHS sexual health clinic or university health service, and many areas offer free, confidential home-testing kits. The staff are there to help, not judge, and appointments are confidential!
“I would also advise screening every six months as routine, because even with condom use, STI’s can still be contracted.”