Canberra Sexual Health Centre

HIV PEP should be started as soon as possible after HIV exposure. Please call us between 8:30am and 5pm to arrange an urgent PEP consultation—this includes Wednesday mornings when our clinic is closed. Please tell us you need a PEP consultation when you call and again when you arrive at the clinic.

If you require after hours PEP assistance, please visit your nearest Emergency Department.

For more information, please see the PEP Brochure.

PrEP is a preventive treatment for people with a medium to high risk of contracting HIV.  PrEP is a daily medication, with 3-monthly check ups for STI and HIV, and regular kidney function checks.

GPs as well as doctors and nurse practitioners at the Sexual Health Centre can prescribe PrEP.  

PrEP medication can be dispensed by any community pharmacy, although some may need a few days to order in your medication. If you have a Medicare card, PrEP costs the same as most usual prescriptions.

If you do not have a Medicare card, you can purchase PrEP privately with a prescription through online pharmacies.  Please come and talk to us at the Sexual Health Centre or call the AIDS Action Council on 6257 2855 for more information.  We can also help you monitor your health whilst on PrEP. For more information on all aspects of PrEP, please see the PrEP Factsheet.

You can receive your results via SMS, phone or in person.

SMS results are sent by a private number to your mobile phone.

Phone results are available by calling us on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday or Friday before 4pm. Please leave your details with reception so one of our nurses can call you back.

You can also walk-in or book an appointment at our clinic to receive your results in person.

What is a DBS Test?

A Dried Blood Spot (DBS) test is a HIV test you can do from the privacy of your home.

It’s free, convenient, effective and confidential.

The DBS HIV test is a painless finger prick you can do yourself. It only takes 5 drops of blood.

It means you can get tested for HIV even if you don’t like needles, or you don’t have the time to visit the doctor to test for HIV.

Who can order a DBS Kit?

Currently, you can order a DBS HIV test if:

• you are a man who has sex with other men

OR

• you are from Africa or Asia or you have (or have had) a sexual partner who is from those regions

How do I order a DBS kit?

For more information and to order your DBS home testing kit, visit:

• www.hivtest.health.nsw.gov.au

Don’t forget about STIs, they won’t forget you!

Dried blood spot testing does not test for any other infections other than HIV, see your doctor or clinic if you would like a full sexual health check-up.

The sexually transmitted infections (STI) factsheets below will help you understand the sexual health issues of importance to you:

• Bacterial Vaginosis
• Balanitis
• Candidiasis
• Chlamydia
• Colposcopy
• Emergency Contraception
• Cryotherapy Aftercare
• Genital Herpes
• Genital Skin Care
• Genital Warts
• Gonorrhoea
• Hepatitis A
• Hepatitis B
• Herpes in Pregnancy
• HIV and AIDS
• HIV Testing
• HIV Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP)
• Lichen Sclerosus
• Molluscum Contagiosum
• Mycoplasma Genitalium
• Pelvic Inflammatory Disease