Getting an STI screening is not a drama. It's an act of healthcare.
At Centre Médical Martine Rixhon, screening for sexually transmitted infections is performed by Dr Pablo Beckers, specialist in clinical biology – microbiology and head of the serology laboratory at CHU Liège. This dual expertise allows for medically precise screening, clear explanations of results, and complete care if necessary.
The consultation takes place in a strictly confidential, respectful and non-judgmental setting. No intrusive questions, no moral shortcuts — only medicine.
When should you get an STI screening?
Several situations justify screening:
- After unprotected sex with a new partner.
- After a condom break or another incident.
- At the start of a new relationship, as a shared health check.
- Regularly (every 3 to 12 months) if you have multiple partners.
- If you have symptoms: unusual discharge, burning, itching, skin lesions, pain.
- If a current or past partner has informed you of a positive result.
- Before or during pregnancy.
- Before a treatment or medical procedure requiring prior screening.
How long after a risky encounter?
The "serological window" is the time between exposure to an infection and the moment when it can be detected by a test. Here are the usual time frames:
- HIV: reliable test from 6 weeks (for most modern combined Ag/Ab tests). For complete certainty, retest is recommended at 3 months.
- Syphilis: detectable from 3 to 6 weeks after exposure.
- Hepatitis B and C: detectable from 4 to 12 weeks.
- Chlamydia, gonococcus: detectable from 1 to 2 weeks, ideally by PCR on local sampling.
In an emergency (for example suspected recent HIV exposure), post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) should ideally be started within 4 hours and at the latest within 48 hours. Go to the hospital emergency department at CHU Liège or Citadelle.
How much does it cost?
Transparent fees
Medical consultation: €18 (government-registered doctor, INAMI rate). Reimbursement by the sickness fund is possible depending on your situation.
Screening tests: from €0 to about €25 in total depending on the tests relevant to your situation. Some tests are fully reimbursed by INAMI; others involve a modest patient contribution.
For example: a simple HIV screening for a patient eligible for reimbursement generally costs €0. A complete check-up (HIV + hepatitis B and C + syphilis + chlamydia + gonococcus) costs at most about €25 of out-of-pocket expense.
Dr Beckers explains during the consultation the tests relevant to your situation and their cost before any sampling. No unnecessary test, no surprise on the bill.
How does a screening consultation work?
The consultation lasts about 30 minutes.
- Welcome by the secretary.
- Consultation with Dr Beckers: discussion about your situation (date of risky encounter, type of encounter, partner, possible symptoms). No interrogation — only medically useful elements.
- Joint definition of the relevant tests.
- Blood sampling by our nurse. Depending on indications, local self-sampling may be offered.
- Results sent within about 5 days, securely.
- If a result is positive: new consultation to explain, set up treatment if necessary, and organise follow-up. No positive result is ever sent without an appointment.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a medical prescription to get screened?
No. The consultation at Centre Médical Martine Rixhon includes the prescription by Dr Beckers. You can book directly, without going through your family doctor.
Is the screening anonymous?
Screening at the centre is not strictly anonymous: it is performed under your identity, and results are recorded in your medical file. However, it is strictly confidential — no information is shared with any third party (employer, insurer, family) without your consent. If you wish to have strictly anonymous screening, you can contact a Liège HIV/STI reference centre.
How long does it take to get the results?
About 5 working days. You receive the results securely. If a positive result is detected, an appointment is offered to explain it to you in person.
If it is positive, how will I find out?
For any positive result, Dr Beckers contacts you personally and offers a prompt appointment. You will never learn of a positive result by impersonal email or text message. The follow-up consultation allows for explaining the result, organising treatment if necessary, and discussing what comes next.
Do you inform the partner?
No. No information is shared with a third party without your explicit consent. If a positive result calls for informing a current or past partner, Dr Beckers supports you in this process — how to talk about it, when, to whom — but you are the one who decides and who speaks.
Do I need to fast?
No, not for classic serological tests (HIV, hepatitis, syphilis). For some additional tests (for example liver function, blood glucose), it may be useful to be fasting — Dr Beckers will tell you.
Can I get screened just after a risky encounter?
The test will be done, but depending on the elapsed time, it may not yet be positive if an infection has occurred. For HIV for example, you have to wait at least 6 weeks for a reliable test. In case of significant doubt, talk about it with Dr Beckers: he will indicate the right timing and, if the urgency justifies it, refer you to post-exposure prophylaxis at the hospital emergency department.
Is the screening reimbursed?
Yes, partially or fully depending on your situation and the tests performed. The consultation at the contracted rate (€18) is reimbursed by your sickness fund. Tests are reimbursed by INAMI under medical prescription.
Will my family doctor be informed?
Only if you wish. At Centre Médical Martine Rixhon, you decide with whom information is shared.
Can I get an appointment the same day?
Depending on Dr Beckers' availability, yes — particularly Friday and Saturday. Online booking via Progenda or by phone at +32 (0)470 97 60 87.
Book an appointment for STI screening
Doctor: Dr Pablo Beckers (specialist in clinical biology – microbiology)
Fee: €18 (consultation) + €0 to €25 (tests depending on situation)
Duration: 30 minutes · Availability: Friday and Saturday by appointment
Strict confidentiality, non-judgmental welcome