When should I test?
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) take different amounts of time to show up on a test. This means if you test too early an infection might not be detected. This is called the “window period” for the test. Please read more about this before ordering your test. Find out more about window periods.
If someone you have had sex with recently has told you they have an STI please see our guidance before ordering your test.
It’s important that we receive your samples as soon as possible. Try to do the test on a day you can post it and it will be collected the same day.
New packaging
Brighton Online STI testing service is going green – New packs contain a recyclable cardboard return box and a new white protective absorbent pouch which will reduce our plastic waste. Please place each sample in a pocket of the absorbent pouch. Place the samples in the pouch in the plastic bag and seal it. Place the bag of samples into the box. Remove the yellow sticker and seal the box. Please return samples via any Royal Mail red post box the SAME DAY.
Test kit instructions
Click on the icons under the test kit that you ordered to be taken to the instructions. If you’ve ordered the X-Pack, please see our X-pack advice on what samples to take
FINGER-PRICK BLOOD
BEFORE YOU START
How to take a blood sample – instruction video
Tips for collecting your blood sample
- -warm your hands: put your hands in warm water or hold a warm drink for 2-3minutes
- -stand up when taking your sample
- -keep your hand below your waist and your arm straight
- -squeeze the full length of your finger, not just the tip
PACK CONTENTS
1
WASH HANDS
- with soap & warm water
- unpack the kit on a clean surface
2
PREPARE TUBE &
CLEAN FINGER
- open the protective container & remove the blood collection tube (SMALLEST tube with a yellow cap)
- stand the tube on a flat, stable surface
- use the alcohol wipe to clean one of your middle fingers & let it dry
3
PRICK FINGER
- twist & remove the blue tip of the lancet
- place the small white tip of the lancet against the side of your finger, on the side closest to your little finger
- push firmly – this activates the needle once
- wipe away the first drop of blood with a clean tissue
4
MASSAGE FINGER
- holding your hand downwards, massage from the base to the tip of your finger and collect the drops of blood in the tube (SMALLEST tube with a yellow cap)
- fill the tube to AT LEAST “1.0”. Twist cap on tightly
- use spare lancet on a different finger if needed & apply plaster
- gently turn the tube upside down 5 times
5
RETURN
- place the tube in the white protective absorbent pouch in the plastic bag. Other samples can go in this pouch. Seal the bag. Place the bag in the box and seal by removing the yellow sticker.
- post the box back the SAME DAY
- dispose of lancets safely: put them in a ‘sharps bin’ (special bin for medical waste). If you can’t, they can go in your household bin. DO NOT RETURN USED LANCETS.
THROAT SWAB
BEFORE YOU START
This pack contains a white swab, a sample tube (green cap), a protective pouch, and a pre-paid return box.
- unscrew the green cap of the sample tube
- take your sample using the white swab
- snap off the end of the white swab into the sample tube
- screw the lid back on
- return the sample tube containing the snapped swab
PACK CONTENTS
1
WASH HANDS
- with soap & warm water
- unpack the kit on a clean surface
2
PREPARE THE SWAB
- remove the cotton swab from the tube
- hold the swab by the white cap
- be careful not to touch the tip of the swab or lay the swab down
- do not lubricate the swab in any way, including with water, or it may not be able to be tested
3
INSERT THE SWAB
- open your mouth & stick your tongue out
- wipe the tip of the swab several times around the back of your throat (behind the uvula/”dangly bit”) & both tonsils
4
SAMPLE TUBE
- unscrew the green cap from the sample tube labelled ‘throat’. Be careful with the liquid inside – do not spill it or get it on your skin/eyes/mouth etc
- put the swab into the tube (absorbent tip down) and carefully snap it off below the black line, by pressing it against the side of the tube
- screw the lid back on tightly
5
RETURN
- put all sample tubes in the white protective absorbent pouch and then seal in the plastic bag. Place the bag of samples in the freepost return box and seal by removing the yellow sticker inside
- return the samples in the freepost box. Post it back the SAME DAY
RECTAL SWAB
BEFORE YOU START
This pack contains a white swab, a sample tube (green cap), a protective pouch, and a pre-paid return box.
- unscrew the green cap of the sample tube
- take your sample using the white swab
- snap off the end of the white swab into the sample tube
- screw the lid back on
- return the sample tube containing the snapped swab
PACK CONTENTS
1
WASH HANDS
- with soap & warm water
- unpack the kit on a clean surface
2
PREPARE THE SWAB
- remove the cotton swab from the tube
- hold the swab by the white cap
- be careful not to touch the tip of the swab or lay the swab down
- do not lubricate the swab in any way, including with water, or it may not be able to be tested
3
INSERT THE SWAB
- insert the swab about 3cm into your rectum, rotate the swab as you push
- rotate the swab 5-10 times around the inside of your rectum
4
SAMPLE TUBE
- unscrew the green cap from the sample tube labelled ‘rectal’. Be careful with the liquid inside – do not spill it or get it on your skin/eyes/mouth etc
- put the swab into the tube (absorbent tip down) and carefully snap it off below the black line, by pressing it against the side of the tube
- screw the lid back on tightly
5
RETURN
- put all sample tubes in the white protective absorbent pouch and then seal in the plastic bag. Place the bag of samples in the freepost return box and seal by removing the yellow sticker inside
- return the samples in the freepost box. Post it back the SAME DAY
VAGINAL SWAB
BEFORE YOU START
This pack contains a white swab, a sample tube (green cap), a protective pouch, and a pre-paid return box.
- unscrew the green cap of the sample tube
- take your sample using the white swab
- snap off the end of the white swab into the sample tube
- screw the lid back on
- return the sample tube containing the snapped swab
PACK CONTENTS
1
WASH HANDS
- with soap & warm water
- unpack the kit on a clean surface
2
PREPARE THE SWAB
- remove the cotton swab from the tube
- hold the swab by the white cap
- be careful not to touch the tip of the swab or lay the swab down
- do not lubricate the swab in any way, including with water, or it may not be able to be tested
3
INSERT THE SWAB
- insert the swab about 5cm into your vagina, rotate the swab as you push
- rotate the swab 5-10 times around the inside of your vagina
4
SAMPLE TUBE
- unscrew the green cap from the sample tube labelled ‘vaginal’. Be careful with the liquid inside – do not spill it or get it on your skin/eyes/mouth etc
- put the swab into the tube (absorbent tip down) and carefully snap it off below the black line, by pressing it against the side of the tube
- screw the lid back on tightly
5
RETURN
- put all sample tubes in the white protective absorbent pouch and then seal in the plastic bag. Place the bag of samples in the freepost return box and seal by removing the yellow sticker inside
- return the samples in the freepost box. Post it back the SAME DAY
URINE SAMPLE
BEFORE YOU START
Read these instructions carefully before you collect your sample.
Don’t pass urine for at least 1 hour before providing your sample.
This pack contains a urine pot (white cap), a pipette and sample tube (LARGEST tube with a yellow cap). The pipette is for putting your urine into the sample tube, and can be thrown away after you have taken your sample.
The pack contains a pre-paid return box. You will return the sample tube (yellow cap).
PACK CONTENTS
1
WASH HANDS
- with soap & warm water
- unpack the kit on a clean surface
2
PEE IN POT
- Remove the white cap from the urine pot
- Pass the first part of your urine into the white capped urine pot. Ensure the pot is full to the 20ml mark
- Finish peeing in the toilet
3
PIPETTE URINE
- Unscrew the yellow cap off the urine sample tube (LARGEST tube with a yellow cap), ready to transfer the urine
- Squeeze the top of the pipette and put the tip in the urine, stop squeezing and the pipette will fill up. Fill the pipette to the 2ml mark
- Put the pipette in the sample tube and squeeze the top of the pipette to push out the 2ml of urine. The tube should be approximately half full, but no more than 2/3 full.
4
URINE SAMPLE TUBE
- Screw the yellow cap tightly back on the urine sample tube and turn it upside down 3-4 times
- Put the yellow capped urine sample tube in the white protective absorbent pouch with any other samples and then seal the plastic bag. Place the bag of samples in the freepost return box and seal by removing the yellow sticker inside
- Throw away the pipette and white urine tube in your household waster
5
RETURN
- return the samples in the freepost box. Post it back the SAME DAY
