Home STI Test Kits

In general, we recommend getting tested for STIs if you’ve recently changed partners or think you’ve been exposed to an STI. It’s also a good idea if you have multiple partners or have unprotected sex. You should also get tested if you’re informed by a previous partner that they’ve contracted an STI, as there’s a chance you may have caught it too.

Certain STIs also have different testing windows of when to test to get the most accurate results. This is because some STIs have different incubation periods (how long before the infection shows up).

Remember: A lot of STIs don’t show symptoms, so it can be easy to pass them and catch them without realising it, even if you don’t have multiple partners. So, if you’re not using protection, getting tested regularly is vital, even if you feel fine.

Annual testing

As a general rule, for good sexual health, we recommend anyone who has unprotected sex or new partners should be tested after each time they have unprotected sex. It’s also good practice to get tested annually for all STIs, including for HIV.

To use your STI test kit, you will collect a sample at home; this will be either:

• a small amount of urine
• a genital, anus, or mouth swab
• a small amount of blood from your finger using a pinprick

You will then send your samples to our partner lab for testing and analysis. How you use your test kit will depend on the type of test kit you’ve ordered and what it’s for. Your test kit will arrive with full instructions on exactly how to use it.

Before collecting any sample, make sure you’ve washed and disinfected your hands thoroughly.

Urine testing

If you’re taking a urine test, your test kit will arrive with 2 bottles, absorbent paper and packaging to post your sample to our lab. To take your test:

1. Remove the smallest bottle from the packaging.
2. Urinate inside the smaller bottle, aiming to fill it halfway. Try to use the first flow of urine as it’s more likely to contain bacteria.
3. Once filled to the marker, reseal it and place it inside the larger bottle with the provided absorbent paper.
4. Fill out your details label provided and stick it to your sample collection tube so it’s clearly readable.
5. Place your sample in the pre-paid envelope for posting to our partner lab.

Genital or anal swab test

Swab tests will differ depending on whether you’re using a swab for a vagina, penis or anus. However, the actions you take will be similar. You will essentially use a swab to collect a sample from your genitals.

Vaginal swab test

1. Remove the swab from the seal, but do not touch the tip of the swap.
2. Spread open the skin outside of your vagina with one hand, and use the other to point the tip of the swab toward your vagina.
3. Insert the tip of the swab into your vagina. Make sure you do not go too deep. You shouldn’t feel any pain while collecting this sample.
4. Rotate the swab inside your vagina for 10 to 15 seconds before removing it. Try to make sure you do not touch any other parts of your skin with the swab while using it or after removing it.
5. Put the swab inside the provided tube and securely fasten the lid.

Fill out any details required on the provided label and stick it to your sample tube as directed. You can now place your collected sample inside the prepaid envelope for posting to our lab.

Penis swab test

1. Break the swab from its seal, making sure not to touch the tip of the swab.
2. Use one hand to hold your penis (pull your foreskin down if you need to) and the other to hold the swab.
3. Roll the tip of the swab gently around the opening of your penis that you urinate out of.
4. Place the swab inside the provided tube, making sure not to touch anything else with it.
5. Fill out the label provided with your details and stick it on the tube as directed.

Place your completed sample inside your prepaid envelope before posting it to our partner lab.

Anal swab test

1. Remove the swab from its seal. Make sure the tip of the swab does not touch anything.
2. Find a comfortable position. You can do this on the toilet, or bend over.
3. Insert the swab 2 to 3cm into your anus. If it feels difficult, try twisting it to help it go in.
4. Once inside, gently rotate the swab 5 to 10 times around the wall of your anus.
5. Take the swab out, making sure the tip does not touch anything else, and place it inside the provided tube.

Complete the details label and stick it to the tube as directed. Place the tube inside the prepaid envelope before sending it to our partner lab.

Oral swab test

An oral swab test is the same as a genital swab test, but instead of collecting a sample from your genitals, you are collecting a sample from inside your mouth.

1. Remove the swab from its packaging. Make sure you do not touch the cotton tip.
2. Put the swab inside your mouth and rub the cotton tip against the back of your throat. Try to make sure you firmly touch both sides.
3. Remove the swab from your mouth without touching the tip against anything else.
4. Place the swab inside the supplied tube before sealing it.
5. Complete your details label and stick it to the tube.

Place the sample tube inside the prepaid envelope and post it to our partner lab.

Blood test

When a home test requires a blood sample, you’ll need to take a finger prick test. This involves using the provided test kit to prick the end of your finger so you can collect a few drops of blood.

1. Remove the test kit from its packaging.
2. Select the finger from which you want to collect blood. It’s usually best to use a finger from your non-dominant hand, as it can hurt a little afterwards.
3. Open the blood collection tube and place it nearby.
4. Clean your chosen finger thoroughly with the alcohol swab provided.
5. Take out one of the provided lancets and twist and pull the purple end.
6. Place the lancet against your fingertip and press the purple button.
7. You will feel a sharp scratch on your fingertip. You should then notice a small drop of blood forming, which you can wipe away with a tissue. If you do not bleed, you can try again with one of the additional lancets provided.
8. Point the tip of your finger (where the blood droplet formed) directly over the collection tube.
9. Squeeze your finger gently to help blood fall into the tube.
10. Fill the tube until it reaches the line shown on the tube and seal it. You can use an additional lancet if you cannot produce enough blood to fill the tube as required.
11. Complete the details sticker provided and stick it to your collection tube as directed.
12. Place the tube in the provided wallet before placing it in the pre-paid envelope.

Your sample is now ready to be sent to our partner lab for analysis.

If you are unsure about using a test kit, you can contact our Patient Care team at any time for advice and support.

Most home test kits are considered as accurate or nearly as accurate as the testing you will receive in a sexual health clinic, provided you have carried out the test correctly. How accurate your test is will also depend on when you take the test and when you are exposed to an STI. Taking your test too early can result in false results, and you may require further testing.

“A test kit must be above 90% accurate to be considered clinically reliable. All of the test kits we provide are clinically reliable and up to 99% effective when used properly, and at the correct time for the STI you are testing for.” – Dr Brenda Ikeji, Medical Editor

You will receive your test results 2 to 3 days after your sample has arrived at our partner lab for analysis. Your doctor will send this directly to you via your patient account, along with a full results report and advice on what to do next. If you need treatment, we will either offer to provide this if suitable, or we will let you know where and how to get treated.

We will only ever send you test results securely via your patient account. This is to guarantee your privacy and security. If you have any queries about your results or need more advice from our doctors, you can respond directly to them, and they’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

We know that testing for STIs can be daunting, which is why our doctors are here to support you every step of the way.

You will receive a positive or negative result for each sexually transmitted infection you are testing for. Our doctors will provide you with these results and explain exactly what each result means, as well as what you should do next.

What does a negative test result mean?

A negative test result means the STI you were testing for was not detected in your sample at the time of testing. In most cases, this means you are not currently infected with the STI, and you do not need follow-up tests, care, or treatment. However, your doctor may recommend repeat testing if you have not taken your test at the correct time, depending on the STI.

What does a positive result mean?

A positive result means the STI you were testing for was detected in the sample provided. This means it’s highly likely that you have the infection you were testing for. In this case, our doctors will tell you what this means and what you need to do next. We can provide treatment for:

• chlamydia
• genital herpes
• genital warts
• trichomoniasis

We can also let you know where to get treatment and refer you to a sexual health clinic if required.

You will need to contact any recent sexual partners to let them know so they can get tested, too. Our doctors can contact your partners anonymously on your behalf if you do not feel comfortable doing so.

You can also get tested for STIs at your local sexual health clinic, some GP practices and certain pharmacies. You may need to go in person to get tested and book an appointment beforehand, although some facilities offer a walk-in service. The NHS provides information on how to find your nearest sexual health testing facility and how to get tested.

Where can I get a free STI test?

STI testing provided by your local GP or government sexual health clinic is free of charge. You can also order free STI testing, which you can carry out at home, similar to our tests, from partners of the NHS. This is not available in every area and there may be a limited amount of test kits available each day.

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are infections that are passed on through having sex and sexual contact. They vary in severity and symptoms. While some can cause symptoms that are noticeable and difficult to manage, others can cause no symptoms whatsoever but still cause long-term health issues.

We currently provide tests for:

• chlamydia (oral, rectal and genital)
• gonorrhoea (oral, rectal and genital)
• trichomoniasis
• HPV
• HIV
• syphilis
• hepatitis B
• hepatitis C
• herpes type I & II

Chlamydia

This is one of the most common STIs in the UK, with over 194,970 new cases diagnosed in 2023. It’s caused by a bacteria called Chlamydia trachomatis, and it’s often symptomless, which can make it very easy to transmit and catch. When it does produce symptoms, these can include:

• pain when urinating
• unusual vaginal discharge
• pain in the tummy or pelvis
• pain during sex
• bleeding after sex
• bleeding between periods

Fortunately, chlamydia is very treatable with antibiotics, which we can provide quickly and discreetly.

When to test for chlamydia

You need to wait at least 2 weeks after exposure to chlamydia to get an accurate test result. This is because it can take up to 2 weeks for a chlamydia infection to show up on a test after you’ve caught it. During these 2 weeks, you must stop having sex or practise safe sex to avoid passing on the infection.

Gonnorhoea

Gonnorhoea is another common STI caused by a bacteria called Neisseria gonorrhoeae. It’s becoming more common, with over 85,000 new cases diagnosed in 2023, a 7.5% increase from 2022.

Gonorrhoea can affect your genitals, mouth and anus and usually causes uncomfortable symptoms, which can differ in men and women.

Gonorrhoea symptoms in women include:

• painful or burning urination
• increased vaginal discharge
• vaginal bleeding between periods or after sex
• pain in the lower abdomen

Gonorrhoea symptoms in men include:

• painful or burning urination
• white, yellow, or green discharge from the penis
• painful or swollen testicles

Gonorrhoea symptoms in the anus include:

• discharge
• anal itching
• soreness
• bleeding
• painful bowel movements

Gonorrhoea symptoms in the eyes include:

• eye pain
• sensitivity to light
• pus-like discharge from one or both eyes

Gonorrhoea symptoms in the throat include:

• sore throat
• swollen lymph nodes in the neck

Gonorrhoea symptoms in the joints include:

• warm, red, swollen, and extremely painful joints, especially during movement

Symptoms for gonorrhoea can appear within 2 to 5 days after infection, but some can take up to a month to appear. It’s a very treatable condition, so it’s important to get tested so you can get sorted as quickly as possible.

When to test for gonorrhoea

You should wait at least 2 weeks from when you think you were exposed to gonorrhoea before getting tested. Like chlamydia, it can take up to 2 weeks for the infection to show up on a test, and getting tested sooner may not give you an accurate result.

Syphilis

Syphilis is another STI that’s becoming more common, with a 15% increase in new cases between 2021 and 2022. Like chlamydia, syphilis can be symptomless and go undetected for a long time, making it very easy to spread the infection. It’s also caused by bacteria, which can be treated very effectively with the right antibiotics.

Syphilis symptoms vary depending on how long you’ve had the infection. In its first stages, you may notice a painless, firm, round sore that appears on the genitals, mouth, skin, or rectum. At a later stage, you can also get symptoms like:

• fever
• headache
• patchy hair loss
• swollen glands in the groin or neck
• a rash, often on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet
• white, wart-like sores (condylomata lata)

As syphilis symptoms vary depending on how long you’ve had it and go away and come back, it’s essential to get tested and treated as quickly as possible, even if you think you're better. A syphilis infection will not go away on its own, and if left untreated, it can lead to potentially life-threatening complications.

When to test for syphilis

While syphilis symptoms can start to appear 2 to 3 weeks after infection, it’s best to test between 3 and 6 weeks. You often need to retest at 12 weeks after being exposed to the infection to get an accurate result. Syphilis symptoms often come and go, so it’s essential to get tested, even if you have no symptoms at all, as it does not get better on its own.

HIV

HIV is a virus that attacks the cells in your immune system, weakening your ability to fight other infections and diseases. This can lead to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), which is the name given to a large group of potentially life-threatening illnesses that you can get when HIV has damaged your immune system.

The symptoms of HIV are usually flu-like, and last for a week or 2. This can happen after 2 to 6 weeks of being infected. After this, you may not experience any symptoms, so you may not realise you have HIV, making it easier to spread the infection.

If you think you’ve been exposed to HIV, it’s vital to talk to your doctor as quickly as possible. You may be eligible for PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis), which is a treatment that can stop HIV from developing even if you’ve initially caught it from unprotected sex, but you need to have this treatment within 72 hours after sex.

We also provide PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis), which can be taken daily or on-demand to prevent HIV when you have sex.

When to test for HIV

HIV is usually detected within 18 to 45 days of exposure to the infection. We recommend testing at 45 days after exposure. How likely it is to find the infection depends on when you test and what test you do. So, while in some cases, HIV can be detected within 2 weeks of infection, it’s detected in over 99.9% of cases after 12 weeks. So, we recommend waiting or retesting at this time to make sure your results are accurate.

Hepatitis B and C

Hepatitis B is a liver infection caused by the hepatitis B virus. While it can be symptomless, it can also cause symptoms like:

• dark urine
• clay-coloured stools
• fever
• joint pain
• loss of appetite
• nausea
• stomach pain
• vomiting

Because of this, it's important to get tested even if you don't have symptoms to avoid spreading it. It can be passed on through blood, saliva and sex.

If you have acute (short-term) hepatitis B, it can go away on its own, but you might still need treatment. Chronic (long-term) hepatitis B requires treatment, which can include antiviral medication. If left untreated, Hepatitis B can lead to serious health complications, like liver damage, cirrhosis and liver cancer.

Similarly, hepatitis C is also a viral infection that can affect the liver. It causes similar symptoms and is also spread through having sex. If you don't have hepatitis C, it's very treatable with the right approach, but it will not get better on its own.

When to test for hepatitis B & C

Acute hepatitis B symptoms usually take 1 to 4 months to appear. Hepatitis C is usually symptomless or has flu-like symptoms which are easily mistaken for a common cold. For both of these infections, we recommend testing after 3 months of exposure.

Trichomoniasis

Trichomoniasis is a common STI caused by a parasite called 'Trichomonas vaginalis.' It's very treatable with antibiotics, but if left untreated, it can cause health issues and increase your risk of catching HIV. While trichomoniasis is often symptomless (nearly half of people who get trichomoniasis don't show symptoms), it can cause different symptoms for men and women.

Because it can be symptomless, it's always important to get tested to avoid accidentally spreading the infection to anyone else. For men, the most common symptoms include:

• pain when peeing or during ejaculation
• needing to pee more frequently than usual
• thin, white discharge from the penis
• soreness, swelling and redness around the head of the penis or foreskin

For women, the most common symptoms include:

• abnormal vaginal discharge – this can be thick, thin or frothy and yellow-green
• more discharge than usual and it may also have an unpleasant fishy smell
• soreness, swelling and itching around the vagina – this can also affect your inner thighs
• pain or discomfort when passing urine or having sex

As the symptoms of trichomoniasis can easily be confused with other STIs, it's really important to get proper testing so you can get the right treatment quickly.

When to test for trichomoniasis

Trichomoniasis can take around 5 to 28 days before showing up on a test. This means it’s best to wait 4 weeks to get the most accurate results.

Genital herpes

Genital herpes is an STI caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV) and most commonly herpes type 2 (HSV-2). Genital herpes can be spread through sexual contact but also skin-to-skin contact if you have any active sores. The most common symptoms of genital herpes include:

• small blisters that burst to leave red, open sores around your genitals, anus, thighs or anus
• tingling, burning or itching
• pain when urinating
• unusual discharge

Often, genital herpes symptoms come and go, and we call this having an 'outbreak'. It's important to know that if your symptoms clear up on their own, it doesn't mean you're 'cured' and your symptoms can return. Fortunately, recurring outbreaks tend to be less severe than when you catch the infection initially, and they also become less common.

With antiviral herpes treatment, you can reduce how long outbreaks take and prevent future outbreaks. If you're concerned you might have genital herpes, it's important to get tested even if you're not having an outbreak, as the infection will not get better on its own.

When to test for genital herpes

It can take up to 16 weeks after exposure to genital herpes for it to be detected by a test kit. We recommend testing once you notice herpes sores or a rash as this is the only way you can get an accurate result when using a swab. A local STI clinic may be able to perform a blood test to check for the virus if you do not have symptoms but think you have been exposed.

Oral herpes

Herpes 1 (HSV-1) commonly causes oral herpes, with symptoms like painful blisters and ulcers around the mouth. It can also be completely symptomless, leading to many people passing on the infection without realising it. Herpes symptoms tend to come and go (when you do get them), and we call these outbreaks. There are treatments available to prevent outbreaks and stop them if you have one, but there is no 'cure' to remove the infection completely.

People often experience worse symptoms on their first outbreak, and these can include:

• fever
• body aches
• sore throat (oral herpes)
• headache
• swollen lymph nodes near the infection.

Herpes recurrent outbreaks tend to become more mild and less severe.

If you’re worried that you might have herpes, we can provide rapid testing to get you answers. If you think you’re having an outbreak, you must avoid skin-to-skin contact with any sores, as this can spread the infection.

When to test for oral herpes

It can take up to 16 weeks after exposure to herpes for it to be detected by a test kit. We recommend testing once you notice a herpes sore or a rash.

HPV

HPV is short for the human papillomavirus, which is actually the name for a large group of viruses that can cause many different health conditions, including genital herpes. As there are over 200 different types of HPV, all with varying risks associated with them, they are broken down into categories of low-risk and high-risk. Low-risk HPV is more likely to cause symptoms like warts on the genitals, anus, mouth, or throat, whereas high-risk HPV can be symptomless but can lead to conditions like cancer when left untreated.

High-risk HPV has been linked to:

• cervical cancer
• anal cancer
• penile cancer
• vulval cancer
• vaginal cancer
• some types of head and neck cancer

Like other STIs, HPV is passed on through sexual contact, so it's important to get tested if you've been exposed. Cervical screening (a test for HPV) is also offered to most women over the age of 25.

When to test for HPV

It can take 6 weeks to 6 months to see symptoms of a genital HPV infection. We recommend waiting until 4 weeks after you think you’ve been exposed to HPV before testing.