Getting a positive result can be stressful, but Finland's healthcare system makes getting treated straightforward. If you test positive for an STI, treatment is generally free through the public health system (sukupuolitautien poliklinikka or STI outpatient clinics) or accessible through organizations like Hivpoint. If you tested at a clinic, they will usually contact you directly via phone or through national online portals (like Omakanta) to arrange your treatment.
Getting Your Treatment
How you get treated depends on the infection:
- In-clinic treatment: For infections requiring an injection (like gonorrhea or syphilis), the public STI clinic will administer the shot on-site.
- Pharmacy prescriptions: For oral antibiotics (like chlamydia treatments), the doctor may dispense the pills directly to you, or write an electronic prescription. You can fill this at any local pharmacy (apteekki) by showing your ID or Kela card.
Under Finnish law, testing and treatment for major STIs (including chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, and HIV) are free of charge within the public healthcare system. This is set by the Communicable Diseases Act, so treatment for these notifiable STIs is free to the patient regardless of whether you have a municipality of residence (kotikunta) — it covers tourists and undocumented people too. Unrelated care may still be charged.
Partner Notification
Finland does not currently have a centralized, public anonymous notification portal. The most effective route is to ask the clinic or doctor who diagnosed you to assist; many local sexual health units or NGOs can facilitate confidential partner notification on your behalf without revealing your identity. It's always better than silence. You can also use international anonymous tools, though your doctor or the staff at Hivpoint are often the best local resources to help you navigate this.
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