Inspection Q&A

Q1.I may have been infected with HIV. What should I do?

A1.HIV is contained in large amounts in the blood, semen, and vaginal secretions of infected people, and during vaginal or anal intercourse (anal sex), the mucous membrane of the genitals and rectum comes into direct contact, increasing the possibility of infection through wounds. increase. Especially the anus bleeds easily, and blood may enter from mucous membranes and wounds, so be careful. Oral sex can also transmit HIV through the mucous membranes of the mouth. In recent years, reports of infection through sexual contact have increased. If you have a chance of being infected and are worried about it, please take an AIDS/STI test.

Q2. Where can I take the test?

A2. AIDS and sexually transmitted disease tests are conducted anonymously and free of charge at public health centers. In addition, those who live, work, or study in Minato Ward can undergo examinations at medical institutions designated by the Minato Ward Medical Association. (Business name: AI Check)

Q3.What is AI (eye) check?

A3.AI Check is a project that allows people who live, study, or work in Minato City to undergo an AIDS/STI test anonymously and free of charge at a medical institution designated by the Minato City Medical Association .
You can take tests for AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases (AI check) at designated medical institutions in the city from Mondays to Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays (excluding year-end and New Year holidays). If the test result is positive, you can receive continuous treatment while consulting. Additional examinations, detailed examinations, treatments, etc. are covered by health insurance and are charged.

Q4.Does not apply to living, working, or studying in Minato City. Can I get free HIV/STD tests?

A4.AI check (examination at a designated medical institution) is limited to those who are eligible because it is a project unique to Minato City. ) can be tested anonymously and free of charge.

Please refer to the link below for information on how to take the test.
About inspection at public health center

In addition, we carry out HIV test as follows in Tokyo Shinjuku east exit examination, consultation room (Phone: 03-6273-8512).

Monday-Friday (excluding holidays and year-end and New Year holidays) 15:30-19:30

Saturday to Sunday (excluding national holidays and year-end and New Year holidays) 13:00 to 16:30
Please refer to the link below for inspection information in each region.
HIV test consultation map (we link to the outside site)

Q5. What can we learn from the inspection?

A5.You can find out if you are infected with HIV, syphilis, chlamydia, or gonorrhea.

Q6. What do you do during the inspection?

A6.HIV and syphilis are tested by collecting blood, and chlamydia and gonorrhea are tested as follows.

*Men: Chlamydia and gonorrhea will require a urine test.

*Women: For chlamydia and gonorrhea, a vaginal smear test (collected with a cotton swab) will be performed.

*Please note that the vaginal smear test cannot be performed during menstruation, pregnancy, or while using vaginal agents.

Q7.How much does the inspection cost?

A7.The public health center and HIV, syphilis, chlamydia, and gonorrhea tests included in the AI ​​check are free of charge. However, additional examinations, detailed examinations, and treatments will be covered by health insurance and will be charged separately.

Q8. When should I take the test?

A8.In the case of HIV, an accurate test result cannot be obtained unless 60 days or more have passed in principle for normal testing, and 90 days or more in principle for same-day testing, since the chance of infection. For syphilis, you should be tested after one month, for chlamydia after three weeks, and for gonorrhea after ten days.

Q9. When and how will I be notified of the test results?

A9.The results of the test at the public health center will be explained verbally by the doctor at the medical institution where the test was performed on the next test date, approximately 10 days after the AI ​​check (depending on the medical institution). When you take the test, be sure to ask for the results.
In addition, if you forget your copy of the examination slip, we will not be able to confirm your identity, so we will not be able to tell you the results. If you lose the inspection slip, you will be asked to undergo the inspection again.

*Please understand that we do not explain results by phone or fax.

Q10.Where are test results reported? Will your family or workplace find out about your results?

A10.If you are HIV-positive, it will be reported to the prefectural governor via the director of the public health center based on the Infectious Diseases Law, but your personal information will not be reported. Also, it will not be reported to your family, workplace or community. Medical institutions and public health centers have a duty of confidentiality.

Q11.I don't have any symptoms right now. Could it be infected? Should I get tested?

A11. Even if you are infected with HIV, you will not immediately develop AIDS. You may be infected even if you don't have symptoms. If you have any concerns about the possibility of infection, such as sexual intercourse without a condom or oral sex (contact between mouth and genitals), we recommend that you get tested. Early detection and early treatment can delay the onset of AIDS, so please get tested.

Q12. I had a blood test at work or school, but nothing was said. Can you say you are not infected with HIV or STDs?

A12.We do not conduct HIV or sexually transmitted disease tests in general examinations such as health checkups, so we cannot tell whether you are infected or not. If you want to know if you are infected, please take an HIV/STI test at a public health center or medical institution.

Q13.Can the test at the time of blood donation be substituted for the HIV test?

A13.It cannot be used as a substitute for the test at the time of blood donation. Blood for transfusion is tested for infectious diseases for safety, but it cannot be used as a substitute for HIV because the purpose is not to check the donor's HIV status. Please take an HIV test at a public health center or medical institution (AI check) instead of donating blood.

Q14.I had a negative HIV test before. If it is okay to test once, is it okay to not test again?

A14.That's not true. Even if the result of the previous test was negative, if there is an opportunity for infection after that, and if you feel unwell or have any concerns, you may be newly infected, so it is recommended that you undergo a test.

Q15.I may have been infected with HIV. What will happen if left unchecked?

A15.HIV infection is the presence of the AIDS virus (HIV) in the body. If left untreated, HIV gradually infects one's own white blood cells (cells that control immunity), gradually weakening the immune system without any subjective symptoms, eventually leading to an opportunistic infection. You will be able to get a disease that can be suppressed by your own immunity. In addition, it is known to develop malignant tumors such as malignant lymphoma and Kaposi's sarcoma.

[Onset of AIDS]

The condition in which opportunistic infections and malignant tumors develop is called AIDS, and AIDS develops approximately 5 to 10 years after being infected with HIV without treatment.

[Translation of treatment/evolution of treatment methods]

Therapeutic drugs and treatment methods for HIV infection have advanced dramatically, and today, drugs that require only one tablet a day are mainly used. By recognizing the infection early and starting and continuing treatment, people can prevent the onset of AIDS and live as long and healthy social lives as those who are not infected.

Q16.Can I take the test with my friend or partner?

A16. Reservations can only be made by the person themselves. It is okay to come together on the day of the test and the day of reporting the results , but only the person himself/herself can enter the examination room, interview room, and report of the results.

AIDS/STI Q&A

HIV/AIDS

AIDS is a disease caused by the HIV infection, which gradually weakens the body's immune system, making it easier to get infections and malignant tumors (cancer) caused by bacteria, viruses, and microorganisms that are normally harmless. is a disease that is difficult to cure.
To be precise, the state of being infected with HIV is called HIV infection, and when HIV infection progresses and develops opportunistic infections or malignant tumors that meet the diagnostic criteria for AIDS, it is called AIDS. increase.
Many people who are infected with HIV do not develop symptoms right away and go through a period called an asymptomatic carrier, in which they have no symptoms. This period varies from person to person, and it was said that most people would eventually die in a few years to a dozen years.
In recent years, advances in medicine have led to the development of therapeutic drugs, and the duration of asymptomatic carriers tends to extend. There is no cure yet, but oral medication is the standard treatment. Today, HIV-infected and AIDS patients need long-term treatment while continuing their daily lives.
It is important to detect and treat the infection early before the onset of AIDS.

syphilis

It is an infectious disease caused by Treponema pallidum. If you have sexual contact with eczema, you will be infected through small cuts on your mucous membranes or skin. Although it is often thought of as an old disease, the number of patients has increased dramatically in recent years. Without treatment, the disease progresses while the rashes and sores appear and disappear. Symptoms develop after an incubation period of about one month after infection (symptoms may appear earlier or later, depending on the individual). Syphilis is a chronic infection that progresses over many years. Symptoms vary depending on the time of illness and may be asymptomatic at times.
[Phase 1 (from 1 month after infection to 3 months)]
About a month after infection, swelling, ulcers, boils, lumps, sores, etc. appear in the infected areas (genitals, anus, mouth, etc.). This symptom disappears in a few weeks without treatment, but it is not cured and progresses to the second stage.
[Second period (from 3 months)]
About three months after infection, a rash appears all over the body, including the palms and soles of the feet. This symptom disappears in a few weeks to a few months without treatment, but it is not cured and progresses to the third stage.
[Third stage (several years to 10 years) latent syphilis]
Years may go by without symptoms, but the disease progresses silently in the skin and internal organs.
[Stage 4 (over 10 years) Neurosyphilis]
After a few years to a few decades, it progresses to the heart, blood vessels, brain, and nerves, and serious symptoms appear.
In addition, if a pregnant woman is infected, the fetus is infected through the placenta, and stillbirth, premature birth, neonatal death, and congenital disorders (congenital syphilis) may occur. If detected and treated before the disease progresses, it can be cured. Since it is a disease, it is important to detect infection at an early stage.

genital chlamydial infection

Chlamydia trachomatis is the most common sexually transmitted disease in Japan. Symptoms appear after an incubation period of 1 to 4 weeks after infection. In many cases, there are no subjective symptoms, and many people are unaware of the infection as it progresses. It is necessary to treat properly because it causes various diseases such as infertility and mother-to-child transmission. Also, even if you are infected, you will not be immune, so there is a possibility that you will be infected again even after treatment.
[Symptoms]
[Women] Many are asymptomatic, but when the discharge becomes yellow and increases, there are symptoms such as menstrual cramps and irregular genital bleeding. If it progresses, pelvicitis, salpingitis, and perihepatitis may occur, which may become severe, and may cause ectopic pregnancy and infertility.

[Male] Many patients are asymptomatic, but there are symptoms such as itchy urethra and mild pain when urinating. You may also notice it when your underwear is stained with urethral secretions. If untreated, it can lead to epididymitis, which can lead to male infertility.
Chlamydia is also present in the throat, rectum and urine. Sexual intercourse such as oral sex and anal sex can also cause infection.

gonococcal infection

It is an infection caused by gonorrhea. Men have clear symptoms, but women are less likely to notice the symptoms and may not notice until the disease progresses. In recent years, there have been reports of resistant bacteria.

[Symptoms]
[Women] Often there are no symptoms. If you have symptoms, you may have a dark green-yellow discharge or pus from your urethra. If it progresses, it can cause endometritis and salpingitis, which can lead to ectopic pregnancy and infertility. .

[Male] It begins with itching and hotness in the urethra, followed by discharge of mucus and yellow pus. Pain during urination may be severe and may be severe enough to cause swelling of the entire genitalia. If it progresses, it may cause urethral stricture (narrowing of the urethra), epididymitis, and infertility.
Infection does not produce immunity, and reinfection is possible even after treatment.