Frequently Asked Questions
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If you have any further questions, please feel free to use our online consultation service.
If there are no delays, the entire process takes approximately 1 hour. If you should have limited time available please do ask the staff at the Intake for the current waiting times.
The test is called a rapid HIV test because the results are available after just 20 minutes.
Blood for the rapid HIV test can be taken from your fingertip by the prick of a needle.
The rapid HIV test is a combined test which detects both HIV antibodies and the p24 antigen (part of the virus itself).
The earliest this test can be carried out is 2 weeks after a potential HIV risk situation. A negative test result (meaning no HIV infection) cannot be considered as reliable at that time. Only a rapid HIV test after six weeks following a potential HIV risk situation (window period) can rule out an HIV infection with approximately 100% certainty.
The result for this test is available after approximately 20 minutes.
The rapid syphilis test cannot distinguish between an acute and a previous syphilis infection. You cannot conduct this rapid syphilis test if you have already had a previous syphilis infection. This is because antibodies will stay in the blood and therefore the test will always show a positive result.
In the case of a potential syphilis re-infection, we recommend taking a syphilis full blood test at the healthcare centre of Checkpoint Zürich.
The result for this test is available after approximately 20 minutes.
Blood for the rapid test can be taken from your fingertip by the prick of a needle. The rapid test can detect hepatitis C antibodies.
The earliest this rapid hepatitis C test can rule out an infection is three months after a potential hepatitis C risk situation. If you undergo the test earlier, it is recommended to repeat the test three months after the potential risk situation.
It does not make sense to undergo the rapid hepatitis C test if you have already had a previous hepatitis C infection. Even if a hepatitis C infection has been successfully treated, the antibodies will stay in the blood and therefore the test will show a positive result anyway. In this case, the question of a re-infection must be clarified by a full blood test at the healthcare centre of Arud or the family doctor.
The rapid HIV test is very sensitive. This means, if the result is “reactive” (HIV antibodies were found) a second test is needed to ensure the result is correct. The result of this test will be available after 1-2 days.
In this case, blood will need to be taken from a vein in your arm. This will be undertaken by Checkpoint Zürich. We will arrange an appointment with a doctor who will talk to you about the further procedure.
We will take time to answer your questions and listen to your concerns.
In the case of a reactive rapid syphilis test, you will be referred to an expert for further questions and consultation, if you wish.
In the case of a reactive rapid hepatitis C test you will be referred to Arud for blood to be taken from a vein in your arm and further tests.
In the case of an HIV infection, you will be referred to an appropriate doctor specializing in HIV and a counsellor.
We are bound to medical confidentiality and guarantee that your information and test results will remain confidential.
The Sexuelle Gesundheit Zürich SeGZ provides free and personalized counselling if you have questions related to your health insurance, financial situation, place of residence/immigration status, or your personal environment.
Searching for information on the internet can be very confusing and not all information is correct. Therefore, we suggest a visit to the website of Sexuelle Gesundheit Zürich SeGZ.
The Test for chlamydia and gonorrhoea is conducted in our test center. After taking the sample, we will send it to the laboratory.
In the laboratory, the samples are tested for the relevant bacteria.
The test for chlamydia and gonorrhoea should be conducted no less than 7 days after a risk situation.
About two to five day after the test we will inform you by text message about the results. In case you don’t get notified by us you can obtain your results by calling us under the following number and providing the test number. You can call the Sexual Health Centre Zurich at the following times:
Monday 12:45 – 15:00
Wednesday 13:30 – 16:00
Friday 14:00-16:30
Tel: +41 (0)44 455 59 15