Test and Treat: After a Positive STI Result | Epicentre
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Test and Treat: What Happens After a Positive STI Result

Diagnosis is only half the job. If your result comes back positive, Epicentre connects you to a trusted sexual health doctor. But only when you ask. You are the sole owner of your results, and you control what happens next.

By Aimee Zuccarini · Published · Updated · Reviewed by Dr. Samantha Naidoo, MB ChB, FCP (SA)
🔒 You control your results💬 WhatsApp, Zoom or in person✓ Referral is free

The Problem: A Positive Result with No Next Step

At most labs, a positive STI result arrives as a clinical PDF attached to an email. No explanation. No guidance. No connection to treatment. You are left searching for a doctor, worrying about judgement, and trying to interpret medical terminology on your own.

At Epicentre, the test is only the beginning. We have built a treatment referral pathway that closes the gap between diagnosis and care, without compromising your privacy or your right to choose how you proceed.

How Test and Treat Works

1
You take the test
Walk into any Epicentre branch (Hillcrest, Observatory, Parktown North) or use a home test kit. No doctor's referral needed. The test itself is independent of the treatment pathway: you are not committing to anything beyond the test.
2
You receive your results privately
Results are emailed directly to you in 2 – 7 working days. You receive two reports: a colour-coded summary in plain language and a standard lab report. Nobody else receives your results. Not a doctor, not a partner, not a parent, not your medical aid.
3
You decide what to do
The ball is in your court. You might want a day to process the news. You might want to tell a partner first. You might want to act immediately. There is no pressure, no automatic booking, no countdown timer. When you are ready, you have two options:

Option A: Your Own Doctor

Take your Epicentre lab report to your regular GP or any doctor you trust. The report is designed to be readable by any healthcare provider in South Africa.

You do not need Epicentre's involvement. The report is yours.

Option B: Epicentre's Network

Request a referral to a partner doctor who specialises in sexual health. Epicentre connects you via WhatsApp, Zoom or in person. The doctor receives your report before the consultation so you do not have to re-explain.

Useful if you do not have a GP, want discretion, or prefer a specialist.

Three Privacy Promises

🔒

No automatic sharing

Epicentre never sends your results to a doctor, partner, parent, employer, or medical aid unless you explicitly ask. Not even to our own partner doctors. The connection only happens when you request it.

🕑

You control the timeline

There is no follow-up call, no "you must see a doctor within 48 hours" pressure. You process the information at your own pace. When you are ready, the referral network is there.

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Seamless handover when you ask

When you do request a connection, the partner doctor receives your report in advance. You do not have to repeat your history, re-explain your symptoms, or start from scratch. The handover is fast: WhatsApp and Zoom consultations can be arranged within hours, in-person visits typically within 24 – 48 hours.

If you tested anonymously, your anonymity is maintained throughout the treatment referral. The partner doctor receives your lab report under whatever name you used. Your real identity is never disclosed.

What Epicentre Cannot Do

Epicentre is a diagnostic laboratory, not a prescribing clinic. We cannot prescribe medication, dispense treatment, or provide ongoing medical management. What we can do is connect you to someone who can, quickly and privately. The referral itself is free. Consultation fees are set by the individual doctor (typically R400 – R800 for an in-person visit, often lower for WhatsApp or Zoom).

Frequently Asked Questions

If I test positive, does Epicentre automatically book me a doctor?
No. Nothing happens automatically. You receive your results via email. You decide what to do and when. The referral only happens when you request it.
Can Epicentre prescribe antibiotics or treatment?
No. Epicentre is a diagnostic lab, not a prescribing clinic. Treatment requires a doctor. The Test and Treat programme connects you to a doctor who can prescribe.
Can I stay anonymous if I test positive?
Yes. If you tested under a pseudonym using anonymous testing, your anonymity is maintained throughout. The partner doctor receives your report under whatever name you used.
How quickly can I see a doctor?
Same day in most cases. WhatsApp and Zoom consultations can be arranged within hours. In-person appointments typically within 24 – 48 hours.
What does a treatment consultation cost?
Consultation fees are set by the doctor, not Epicentre. Typical range: R400 – R800 for in-person, often lower for virtual consultations. The Epicentre referral itself is free.
Do I have to use Epicentre's partner doctors?
No. You can take your lab report to any doctor you choose. The partner network is a convenience for patients who do not have a GP, prefer a sexual health specialist, or want a discreet provider with no prior connection to their family.
Does my results say what I tested for?
Your results PDF shows the specific tests performed and their outcomes. If you tested anonymously and paid cash, no record exists elsewhere: no medical aid statement, no GP file, no SMS notification.

Related Guides

Which STI Test Do I Need? STIs with No Symptoms Anonymous Testing Guide Why Epicentre? Student Health Guide

Testing Is the Responsible Thing to Do

And with Epicentre, you are never alone, but you are always in control.

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Medically reviewed by Dr. Samantha Naidoo
MB ChB, FCP (SA) · Medical Director, Epicentre Laboratories

Epicentre Walk-In Labs does not provide medical diagnoses. For medical diagnoses and advice, please consult your healthcare practitioner. Practice #1117394.

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