Getting a positive result for an STI like gonorrhoea, chlamydia, or syphilis is a standard part of an active sex life. In Germany, the next steps depend slightly on where you got tested, but the treatment itself is highly accessible and covered by statutory insurance.
🏥 Where to Get Treatment
If you tested at a Schwerpunktarzt: You will almost always be treated directly at the same clinic. The doctor will either administer an injection on-site (for syphilis or gonorrhoea) or give you a prescription (Rezept) for oral antibiotics to collect at a pharmacy.
If you tested at a Checkpoint or Gesundheitsamt: Some larger community Checkpoints have doctors on-site who can prescribe or administer treatment immediately. However, many smaller Checkpoints and most public health offices (Gesundheitsämter) act only as testing sites. If they cannot treat you, they will provide your positive lab result and give you a direct referral to a local Schwerpunktarzt or urologist for treatment.
Do not try to treat an STI at a hospital emergency room (Notaufnahme). Go to a Schwerpunktarzt, a urologist, or a specialized GP (Hausarzt).
💶 Costs and Insurance
If you have German statutory health insurance (GKV), the cost of STI treatment is covered.
- Doctor's visit: Fully covered by GKV.
- Medication: You will pay the standard pharmacy co-payment (Zuzahlung) for prescription medications, which is usually between €5 and €10.
- Injections: If the clinic administers an injection directly (e.g., Ceftriaxone for gonorrhoea or Penicillin for syphilis), there is usually no out-of-pocket cost.
If you are uninsured or cannot use your insurance for privacy reasons, you will need a private prescription (Privatrezept). You will pay for the consultation and the full retail price of the antibiotics at the pharmacy. Ask your local Checkpoint for advice on finding the most affordable care.
✉️ Partner Notification
If you test positive, you have a responsibility to inform your recent sexual partners so they can get tested and treated, breaking the chain of transmission.
If you are uncomfortable doing this directly, Germany has a dedicated, secure system for anonymous partner notification:
- Go to Walk In Ruhr (WIR) at wir-ruhr.de.
- You will need a unique TAN (code) to use the system, which prevents spam. You can get this TAN from the doctor or Checkpoint that diagnosed you.
- The system sends an anonymous SMS or email to your contacts, informing them that a recent partner has tested positive for a specific STI and advising them to get tested. It does not reveal your identity.
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