Frequently Asked Questions — Sexual Health & Testing Testing, Window Periods, Treatment, Costs & Confidentiality
Answers to questions patients ask most — how testing works, when to test after an exposure, what results mean, what treatment involves, and how privacy is protected.
Medically Reviewed Content
Reviewed by: STD Specialist (MBBS, MD - Medicine)
NMC Registration:
Last medical review: June 1, 2026
This content follows evidence-based medical guidelines and is regularly updated to reflect current medical practices.
Common Concerns for Patients in Nepal
- Privacy — most common worry; results and visits are confidential at Thamel Clinic.
- Cost — prices are transparent; you are told what a test or treatment costs before it happens.
- Stigma — many patients delay from fear of judgment; clinic is explicitly non-judgmental.
- Self-treatment — antibiotics bought without testing are common and cause resistance and misdiagnosis.
About This FAQ
This page answers practical questions patients ask before and after visiting: which test is right, how long to wait after an exposure, what a positive or negative result actually means, whether a partner needs testing, what treatment costs, and how confidentiality works at clinic.
The answers are deliberately honest rather than reassuring. If a test has a window period, we say so. If a result needs confirmation, we explain why. If self-treatment is a bad idea, we explain that too — goal is accurate expectations, not false comfort.
A FAQ cannot cover your specific situation. If your question is about your own symptoms, exposure or results, right step is a confidential consultation — sections below tell you what to expect when you attend.
About Testing
The right test depends on infection and site of possible infection. Chlamydia and gonorrhea are detected by NAAT on correct specimen — urine or swab from exposed site; importantly, urine testing does not reliably detect throat or rectal infection. HIV is screened with a fourth-generation blood test. Syphilis, hepatitis B and C are blood tests. Herpes is best diagnosed by PCR from a lesion.
Timing matters. Tests have window periods — time between exposure and reliable detection. Testing too early can give a falsely reassuring negative; where relevant, we will tell you when to retest.
Which Test?
Matched to infection and anatomical site — clinician helps you choose.
Window Periods
Chlamydia/gonorrhea ~1–2 weeks; HIV 4th-gen ~2–4 weeks; syphilis ~3–12 weeks; hepatitis weeks to months.
Urine vs Swab
Urine misses most throat and rectal infections — site-matched swabs are needed if those sites were exposed.
Do I Need to Prepare?
Usually not — avoid urinating ~1 hour before a urine test; blood tests need no fasting.
About Results
A negative result means infection was not detected — interpreted together with window period and your exposure timing. A negative test taken too early may need repeating; we will tell you if and when.
A positive result is not end of story: bacterial infections (chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis) are curable with correct treatment; viral infections (HIV, herpes, hepatitis B) are manageable with monitored treatment. Every positive result at clinic comes with an explanation and a clear plan.
Negative Results
Interpreted against window period — early tests may need repeating.
Positive Results
Explained, confirmed where needed, and linked to treatment — never just a report.
Confirmatory Testing
Reactive screening results are confirmed before a diagnosis is made.
Partner Notification
For many infections, partners should be tested and often treated — we explain how this works discreetly.
About Treatment
Bacterial STIs are treated with correct antibiotic at correct dose — chosen by a clinician, not self-selected. Self-treatment with bought antibiotics is common and causes two problems: resistant infection and masking that makes later diagnosis harder.
Viral infections are managed rather than cured: HIV is controlled with antiretrovirals (undetectable viral load means effectively no sexual transmission — U=U); herpes is managed with episodic or suppressive antivirals; hepatitis B is monitored and treated when indicated; hepatitis C is curable with modern antivirals in most cases.
Curable Infections
Chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, trichomoniasis — cured with right treatment.
Manageable Infections
HIV, herpes, hepatitis B — controlled with monitored treatment.
No Self-Treatment
Wrong antibiotics cause resistance and mask infection — get assessed first.
Follow-Up
Test-of-cure or retesting at right interval where recommended.
About Privacy & Cost
Visits, results and records at clinic are confidential. You choose how we contact you with results. Many patients worry about being seen attending — appointments are scheduled to minimize waiting-room time and discretion is standard practice.
Costs are transparent: consultation fee is Rs. 450; tests are charged at laboratory rates and told to you before they are taken. Packages can reduce total cost when multiple tests are needed — ask what is included rather than assuming.
Confidential Visits
Discreet scheduling and private consultations as standard.
Confidential Results
You choose how results are delivered.
Transparent Pricing
Consultation Rs. 450; test costs confirmed before sampling.
Packages
Multi-test packages can be more economical than individual tests.
Quick Reference — Services
| Service | What It Includes | Cost (NPR) |
|---|---|---|
| Consultation | Confidential assessment and counselling | Rs. 450 |
| Chlamydia/Gonorrhea NAAT | Site-matched — urine or swab | Lab rate |
| HIV 4th-generation | Blood screening; confirmatory pathway if reactive | Lab rate |
| Full STI panel | Multi-infection screen matched to your risk | Lab rate |
Confirm current pricing and availability when booking.
Why Thamel Clinic
- Confidential — private visits, results and records.
- Correct testing — site-matched specimens; window periods explained honestly.
- Non-judgmental — whatever your situation, you will be treated respectfully.
- Transparent cost — Rs. 450 consultation; test prices confirmed first.
- Complete care — diagnosis, treatment, partner guidance and follow-up in one place.
Frequently Asked Questions
How soon after exposure can I test?
Chlamydia/gonorrhea ~1–2 weeks; HIV 4th-generation ~2–4 weeks; syphilis and hepatitis need longer — we give you right timing for your exposure.
Does a urine test detect throat or rectal infections?
No — urine testing misses large majority of extragenital chlamydia and gonorrhea; those sites need swabs.
What if my result is positive?
It is explained, confirmed where needed, and treated or managed — with partner guidance and follow-up.
Should I take antibiotics I bought before testing?
No — self-treatment causes resistance and masks infection; get tested first.
Is my visit confidential?
Yes — visits, results and records are private; you choose how results reach you.
What does it cost?
Consultation Rs. 450; test and treatment costs are told to you before they happen — no surprises.
Do I need my partner to come?
For several infections, partner testing and treatment is recommended — we explain how to arrange it discreetly.
I have no symptoms — should I still test?
Many infections are silent (~70% of chlamydia in women, most early syphilis) — testing after risk is only reliable check.
Still have questions? Contact us or book an appointment for personalized guidance.
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Last Updated: October 19, 2026 |Clinic: Thamel Clinic |Licensed: Registered