HIV/STI Laboratory Tests

Labortest
© toeytoey2530/canva.com

In cooperation with the Health Department of the district of Konstanz, Aids-Hilfe Konstanz offers free and anonymous counseling and tests for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STI) at the CHECKPOINT KONSTANZ.

In case of acute symptoms that could indicate a sexually transmitted infection, we recommend making a (prompt) appointment with a (specialist) doctor's office.

Please note that HIV/STI tests can only be conducted by making an appointment via phone +49 7531 21113.

Appointments can be made for the following days:

  • November 18, 2024 (fully booked, currently no appointments available)
  • December 09, 2024 (fully booked, currently no appointments available)

for each of these days from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

We ask for your kind understanding that appointments for HIV/STI laboratory tests are primarily given to individuals who have - based on individual „infection risk“ and epidemiological data - an increased probability of a HIV/STI infection. It may also occur that - due to the high demand - all appointments for the above mentioned days are already fully booked. If unforeseeable events should occur, we unfortunately have to reserve the right to make short-term changes to dates, which will be announced on our website in a timely manner.

Aids-Hilfe Konstanz has adapted its infection protection measures for visitors and employees of the Checkpoint:

  • Personal counseling and HIV/STI tests are only possible after making an appointment by phone via +49 7531 21113. Unfortunately, we cannot consider people who have not reserved an appointment in advance at our Checkpoint.
  • Please do not come to your appointment too early or too late to ensure that everything runs smoothly. Please wait at the Facharztzentrum in front of the entrance to the office of the doctors Kalhammer/Dix/Benkelmann [Ground Floor, Level B]. It is not necessary to register at the Checkpoint - you will be called up.
  • Please come alone and do not bring someone with you, unless this person also has an appointment.
  • Please disinfect your hands when entering the Checkpoint and comply with all other hygiene rules.
  • If you have had or are currently experiencing symptoms in the last two weeks that could indicate a Corona infection (e.g. fever, cough, odor/taste disorder, shortness of breath), or have had contact with a person infected with Corona, please do cancel your appointment.
  • Mpox ("Monkeypox"): If you have symptoms, please do not come to the Checkpoint. Symptoms usually develop within 5 to 21 days after infection (incubation period). Typical are sometimes very painful skin alterations – from a rash/spot, to small knots and blisters, to wounds and scabs. The skin alterations are often preceded or accompanied by general symptoms such as fever, headache, muscle or back pain, or swollen lymph nodes.

Procedure

Before the test(s), we will inform you about the possible ways of infection and answer your questions. If necessary, we will carry out a risk assessment together with you and advise you on possible prevention measures. It is also helpful to know your hepatitis A/B vaccination status (vaccination card/book).

The employees of the Checkpoint are subject to confidentiality. Advice and testing are free and anonymous.

After the consultation and if there was a risk of infection, we offer:

HIV laboratory test (antibody-p24 antigen combination test/HIV antibody test of the 4th generation): Please note that a laboratory test can not reliably rule out an HIV infection earlier than 6 weeks after a possible HIV transmission.

Laboratory tests for other sexually transmitted infections:

  • Syphilis (Treponema pallidum),
  • Chlamydia (Chlamydia trachomatis) / Gonorrhea (Neisseria gonorrhoeae),
  • Hepatitis B,
  • Hepatitis C.

For men, a urine sample is required for the diagnosis of Chlamydia trachomatis / Neisseria gonorrhoeae. The last micturition (the last urination) should therefore be at least 1.5 hours ago.

Location

Facharztzentrum at the Constance Clinical Center [Ground Floor, Level B], Dr. Ursula Kalhammer | Albrecht Dix | Dr. Robin Benkelmann, Specialist doctors for internal medicine, hematology / oncology, HIV focus | Luisenstraße 7g | 78464 Konstanz.

Test Results

Test results are usually available after about a week, with the test for chlamydia / gonorrhea usually a little later. No written certificates are issued.

You can inquire about the results at our main office by telephone via +49 7531 21113 during our opening times: Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri 10 a.m.-12 p.m. and Tue, Thu 4 p.m.-6 p.m.