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More information for sex workers

Information for Sex Workers

 Clinic 275 realises that sex workers may have special needs:

• the need for a non-discriminatory and non-judgemental environment

• recognition of the special health problems faced by sex workers

• the need for appropriate testing for sexually transmitted infections, including adequate counselling and explanation of the tests

• the need to take special measures to prevent sexually transmitted infections: safe sex information and vaccinations where appropriate.

To accommodate these needs as much as possible, Clinic 275 offers a service to sex workers as well as other clients.

Medical Assessment

Both male and female doctors are available for consultations.

The doctor will ask a number of questions about any symptoms you might have, in addition to finding out information about your sexual activity. He or she will ask about the number of partners you have been with, the type of sex you had, whether you were interstate or overseas at the time, and whether condoms were used. These questions are obviously very personal, but the doctors at Clinic 275 are non-judgemental and ask these questions in order to decide:

• the extent of the risk of various STDs

• what tests need to be performed

In most cases you will be offered blood tests for HIV, syphilis, hepatitis B and hepatitis C. You will probably also be offered swab tests to look for gonorrhoea and chlamydia.  Remember that gonorrhoea or chlamydia may be present with no symptoms, and the only way to be certain of its presence is to perform these tests.

The tests and examination are usually over in a few minutes, and some preliminary results are available from our on site laboratory within 10 to 15 minutes. You need to return to Clinic 275 a week later for the rest of the results.

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