Your Summer, Sorted
Protection is more than just suncream
Summer can mean holidays, Pride, festivals, time spent with the family, big nights out or just more time saying yes to plans. Whatever you’ve got coming up, this is your reminder that taking care of your health in summer is more than just skincare and hydration. We’re here to help make prioritising your sexual health simple and stress-free.
Whether you want to order a test, access prevention options, read up on opportunities and restrictions before travelling, or find sexual health services near you, SHL, Fast Track Cities and Do It London pulled together practical information to help you feel prepared.
Don't let STIs rule your summer
Although STI diagnoses in England fell overall in 2025, data from Sexual Health London shows that positivity rates for several sexually transmitted infections increased during the summer months, particularly across July and August 2025. But don’t worry, we’re here to help. Order a free STI & HIV test today or find out more about your prevention and treatment options.
Here's when to take your STI test
One thing lots of people don’t realise is that STIs don’t always show up on tests straight away.
Your body needs a little time before an infection can be picked up properly. Testing too soon after sex can sometimes mean an infection doesn’t show up yet – even if it’s there.
Here’s a simple guide for when to test, after you’ve had sex:
- Chlamydia: from 2 weeks
- Gonorrhoea: from 2 weeks
- HIV: from 45 days (c 6-7 weeks)
- Syphilis: from 3 months
- Hepatitis B: from 3 months
- Hepatitis C: from 3 months
Your travel checklist
- Passport
- Adaptor
- Outfits for every day
- Min 15 pairs of underwear even if you’re going for 3 days (girl math)
- Travel insurance
- Suncream + aftersun
- Your best poses for the gram
- Condoms – keep it safe
Prepped for Pride
Whether you’re new, visiting London for the weekend or you’re here all year round, sexual health services are free and accessible to you.
And if you don’t like the idea of a clinic, the Do It London outreach team do free, confidential testing at venues all around the city.
So before you step out to pound the streets of London, take charge of your health and plan an STI and HIV test.
Travel stress free with HIV
If you’re living with HIV and planning a trip abroad, a little preparation can help things run smoothly. It’s a good idea to speak to your doctor before you travel and make sure you have enough medication for your whole trip, plus extra in case of delays — and keep it in your hand luggage.
You should also check your travel insurance covers HIV as a pre-existing condition, look into any country entry requirements, and consider asking your doctor for a signed letter explaining your medication is for a long-term condition.
Read more in our full guide on travelling abroad if you’re living with HIV.
