Clinics in Broome

Which STIs can I be tested for in Broome?

The incidence of STI’s in Broome and the Kimberly is rising fast. The WA Department of Health recently reported a 27% spike in rates of syphilis infections, with Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea infections remaining worryingly high across Broome, the Kimberly and WA generally. Last year, Australia’s Chief Medical Officer declared syphilis to be a Communicable Disease Incident of National Significance (CDINS), underlining the fact that this infection had reached unacceptable levels across the country.

Of particular concern are rates of congenital syphilis, were the infection is passed from mother to child. There were several cases reported last year. Newborn children with congenital syphilis will often have a very poor health outcome, so it is particularly important for any men and women who are considering having a child to get tested.      

Better2Know’s STI testing clinic in Broome offers the widest range of STI tests available, expert information and care, and the most accurate pathology from accredited Australian laboratories that you can fully trust. 

We test for all STIs and STDs including:

• Chlamydia

• Gonorrhoea

• Herpes Simplex Types I and II

• HIV 1 and 2 and the p24 antigen

• Syphilis

• Hepatitis A

• Hepatitis B

• Hepatitis C

• HPV

• Mycoplasma

• Trichomonas

Your medical team at Better2Know in Broome has built a range of STI screens and panels, each testing for more than one infection and designed for your particular needs. As STI’s rarely show any symptoms, it is almost impossible to know which specific infection to test for. That’s why it is always a good idea to order a panel of tests so that you are more likely to diagnose the infection that you have. If you are not sure which screen is right for you, then please choose our Full STI Screen or our Platinum STD Screen. These two screens are amongst the most comprehensive available and will give you the confidence you need and the peace of mind that you seek.

If you are still not certain which test or screen is right for you, then give us a call and speak to a friendly STI advisor to get answers to all your questions. We are available 24/7 on the free-phone number at the top of the page. Call us now and get your STI test in Broome booked now.

Is it true that some STIs have no symptoms?

Yes, this is true. Most sexually transmitted Infections do not show any symptoms. When symptoms do occur, they can include things like itching, soreness, pain, stinging or burning when urinating or during sex, flu-like symptoms, or unusual discharge from the penis or vagina.  These can all be indicators of an STI, but you should not rely on these symptoms to diagnose any STI infection. Lots of other infections can produce these symptoms so the only way you can be certain is to get tested. Around 90% of men and 70% of women who are infected with Chlamydia will never show any symptoms.

This is why it is so important to get tested for STI’s in Broome. These infections are all around you, you can never be sure who might have one, they are easy to pass from person to person and the only way to know if you or your partner has one is to get tested for it. Regular testing at your local Better2Know clinic in Broome will get you the sexual health care you need to keep yourself, and your sexual partners safe from symptomless STIs.

Other than Chlamydia, other STI’s including Gonorrhoea, HIV, Syphilis, Herpes, Hepatitis A, B and C, Mycoplasma, and Trichomonas can also be present but not show any symptoms in the early stages of infection. No matter where you are, in Broome or in the Kimberly, the risk of catching one of these infections is particularly high. The Australian Centre for Disease Control estimates that up to 1 in 6 (16%) Australians will contract an STI in their lifetime. In Broome, with a population of around 14,000 people this suggests that up to 2,500 individuals will have an STI at some point in their lives. If you consider that only 8,500 to 9,500 adults in Broome are thought to be sexually active, the chances of a sexual partner in Broome having an STI rises further.

This is a strong reminder of the importance of getting tested regularly. Testing every time you have sex with a new partner, and regular testing during any relationship, unless it is strictly monogamous, is the only way to protect your sexual health.

If Symptoms of an STI do appear, what can I expect?

Most people who are infected with an STI do not present any symptoms in the early and sometimes even later stages of infection. Symptoms will also vary between the infection and the person. Regular testing in Broome with your local Better2Know STI testing clinic is the only way to keep yourself and your partners safe from STIs.

If you do get symptoms, some signs of an STI infection can include:

• Unusual penile or vaginal discharge

• Pain in the lower back and kidney area

• Pain when urinating or during sex

• Lumps or lesions on the genital area

• Flu-like symptoms

• Swelling of the penis and/or testicles

• Sore throat

• Body rashes

• Blotches on the palms of your hands and soles of your feet

If you have one or any of these symptoms, you need to get tested right away. Book your appointment quickly and easily with Better2Know at our Broome STI testing clinic. Our flexible booking options online, and team of advisors available 24/7, makes this simple and easy for you to do now. Get your appointment booked and tests completed within just a few days, and get the peace of mind you want and need.

Click on “Select” next to our Broome STI clinic and choose the test or screen that is right for you. If you are not certain which test is the one you need, ring us on the number listed above and speak to a friendly and helpful advisor now who will get you the appointment and tests you require. With STI’s all around you and your sexual health being as important as it is, get your test booked and enjoy the peace of mind that will bring.

What should I do if I have an STI?

Do not worry if you have tested positive for an STI in Broome. Better2Know’s team of sexual health advisors and doctors are on hand to support and guide you through the next steps.

First, you should stop all sexual activity and inform any recent sexual partners of your result. You can do this anonymously with Better2Know’s partner notification system available in your secure patient area on our website.

A member of your local team of advisors in Broome will then be able to help you organise your onward treatment and further testing if necessary. If you would prefer, your advisor can help you speak to other medical professionals in Broome to give you the peace of mind you require. Better2Know will support you throughout your entire sexual health journey in Broome and across the Kimberly and Western Australia.

Chlamydia Testing in Broome

Chlamydia is the most commonly reported STI in Broome. Chlamydia is a bacterium that is easily passed on from one person to another during sex. You can catch a Chlamydia infection in your genital area, in particular in your urethra or vaginal canal, in your throat if you performed oral sex on your partner and in your rectum if you received penetrative sex there.

If you don’t diagnose a Chlamydia infection and leave it untreated, it can cause long term health problems leading to infertility, ectopic pregnancies, swollen and painful testicles and other health issues.

The Better2Know standard Chlamydia test in Broome only needs a simple urine sample for testing. If you only performed oral sex or only received anal sex, then you should consider getting a swab taken of these areas for testing. Your Chlamydia test result in Broome will be available just two days after your sample arrives at our fully accredited Australian laboratory. If you do test positive, we will get you speaking with our doctor right away who will write you a prescription for the treatment you need to get better.

How often should I get tested for an STI?

You should get a comprehensive STI test every time you have sex with a new partner or if you become aware that your existing partner is having sex outside of your relationship. It can be all too easy to assume your new partner is clear and let life in Broome take over.

No one wants to think that their new lover has given them an infection but that’s exactly why you need to take responsibility and get tested. When you have sex with one person, you are exposing yourself to the sexual histories of hundreds and even thousands of other people. Recent data says that on average, each sexually active adult in Australia has around 13 lifetime sexual partners. If this average holds true, then you will be potentially exposed to the sexual history and infection profiles of tens of thousands of others over your lifetime.  

Make testing a part of building all your new relationships. If your sex is more casual, one-off encounters, then put your health first and look after yourself. Book a test and make sure you protect your health for your own sake. 

STI Testing in Broome is easy with Better2Know. We’ve got flexible appointment times, plenty of availability and all the help you need to get the right tests for you. Arm yourself with all the right knowledge, get your appointment booked quickly and receive your test results from our fully accredited Australian lab just a day or two later. Better2Know makes the whole process as smooth and stress free as possible, helping you to move on in better health than now.

What should I do next?

If you are sexually active and want to take care of your sexual health, then book your STI tests in Broome now. Just click on “Select” next to our Broome STI testing clinic and choose the test or screen that's right for you, or call us on the number at the top of the page and speak to a helpful advisor. Remember that STI’s usually show no symptoms, so the only way to know if you are infected is to get tested.