The Shanghai STD guide introduces both public and international hospitals and clinics where you can get tested for STDs in Shanghai. We have a Shanghai STD resources list at the end of this article.
Shanghai expats who are worried they might have a sexually transmitted disease (STD) do not need to suffer in silence.
Shanghai STD Causes
An STD is caused by a sexually transmitted infection (STI). STIs become STDs when they cause symptoms.
Often symptoms, such as redness or sores of any kind on or near your genitals, will turn out to be nothing more than a skin rash caused by humidity or Shanghai air pollution. But it is always wise to get tested just incase.
The prevalence of STDs in China is growing fast, partly due to Chinese youth’s reluctance to use condoms. So if you have a Chinese partner, do not take for granted that they protected themselves from STIs in the past.
Most STDs can be cured effectively if treated quickly. While some STDs, such as Herpes, might be with you for life, they can be brought under control, and precautions taken so you don’t spread them to others.
Shanghai Public STD Hospital
There is one public specialized STD testing hospital, the Shanghai Skin Disease and STD Hospital, as well as other local hospitals including Huashan where you can get tested for STIs in Shanghai.
Testing in these hospitals can be quite cheap, but as discussed in our Shanghai Public hospitals article, you must be prepared for a lack of privacy and personal attention.
After waiting in line for what could be a very long time, the doctor will give you a prescription for blood tests with little discussion. You will receive the results 3-4 days later, but even if they come back negative you might have little peace of mind; still worrying about what caused the rash or other symptoms.
Some expats can accept this type of service in return for a cheap price (a few hundred Chinese Yuan), while others will not feel comfortable with the lack of thoroughness and personal care.
International Shanghai STD Clinic
Fortunately, there is another option for Shanghai expats to get tested for STDs. Sino-Aid sells a wide variety of STD testing kits, and cooperates with several international clinics in Shanghai.
Their hotline has quite good English language service and they will arrange an appointment with one of their partner international clinics in Shanghai to do the testing. You can find a list of such hospitals and clinics in our international hospitals in Shanghai article.
You can also go directly to one of the foreign clinics or VIP wards of local hospitals. However, first checking out the websites of Sino-Aid and their partner Sexual Health in Shanghai, as well as giving Sino-Aid a call at 5108 2260, can give you lots of useful information at no extra cost.
They also claim to offer anonymous STD testing, but normally when you go to the clinic they will ask for your contact details for their forms. If you want anonymity, therefore, you should tell Sino-Aid on the phone and also mention this when you arrive at the clinic.
If your tests turn out negative, the foreign Shanghai doctor will spend the time to find out the true reason for your rash and prescribe the proper treatment. You will wait less time and get much more privacy and personal attention. So although you will have to pay more, you might find it well worthwhile.
Sino-Aid sells various STD testing kits. A variety of test kits covering the most common or almost all possible STDs can cost between RMB 2,000-4,000, but you will also have to pay a service fee for the testing at the clinic, so you should ask for the full cost before you begin the tests. Find contact info below.
Urine Test Vs. The Swab for STDs
The traditional way to test for STDs was inserting a swab into the urethra, which can be painful.
Fortunately some of the international clinics in Shanghai listed below now offer urine sample testing for STIs instead. The cost will vary from about RMB 1,500 to 3,000.
Chinese for STDs
- Gonorrhoea: Lìnbìng, 淋病
- Syphilis: Méidú, 梅毒
- Chlamydia: Yīyuántǐ, 衣原体
- Herpes: Pàozhěn, 疱疹
- HIV/Aids: Àizī bìngdú/Àizībìng, 艾滋病毒 / 艾滋病
- Hepatitis B: Yǐxíng gānyán, 乙型肝炎
Shanghai STD Hospitals and Services
Hospitals and Clinics for STD testing in Shanghai:
- Sino-Aid:
http://www.sinoaid.cn/shanghai-stds-testing.html - Shanghai Skin Disease and STD Hospital:
http://www.shskin.com/index.php?classid=3841
Changning District: 196 Wuyi Lu, near Anxi Lu - United Family Hospital
Changning, Pudong - Columbia Clinic
Jingan - Jiahui Clinic and Hospital
Jingan, Yangpu, Xuhui - DeltaWest Health
Hongqiao, Qingpu - Ren’ai Hospital International Medical Center (VIP section):
http://www.renai.sh.cn/
133 Cao Xi Lu, near Tianlin Dong Lu
Go from the Shanghai STD Guide to the Shanghai Hospital menu.