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X pack

X packs are recommended for trans and non-binary people. They contain every available sampling option to test for chlamydia and gonorrhoea, and a blood sample tube to test for syphilis and HIV. We also recommend X packs for sex workers, of any gender

 

What the X pack contains

  • Vaginal swab
  • Rectal swab
  • Throat swab
  • Swab sample tube x 3
  • Blood sample tube
  • Urine pot 
  • Urine sample tube
  • Pipette 
  • Plaster 
  • Lancets
  • Alcohol wipe 
  • Protective absorbent pouch & bag
  • Freepost return box

Choose which samples to take based on which parts of your body have come into contact with someone else’s body or shared sex toys, during sex.

Urine sample

Do a urine sample if:

  • you have a penis (that you use for sex)
  • you have had any gender-affirming lower surgery such as vaginoplasty, metoidioplasty or phalloplasty
Information:

Do not pass urine for at least 1 hour before providing your sample.

This pack contains a urine pot (white cap), a pipette, and a urine sample tube (the largest tube with the yellow cap). The pipette is for transferring your urine from the pot into the sample tube, and it can be thrown away after you have taken your sample.

You will return the urine sample tube (yellow cap) to us, and dispose of the urine pot (white cap) and pipette.

  • With soap & warm water
  • Unpack the kit on a clean surface
  • Remove the white cap from the urine pot
  • Pass the first part of your urine into the urine pot
  • Ensure the pot is full to the 20ml mark
  • Finish peeing in the toilet
  • Unscrew the yellow cap from the urine sample tube (the largest tube with the 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 half full, but no more than 2/3 full
  • 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 inside the white protective absorbent pouch & bag, along with any other samples, and then seal the bag
  • Throw away the pipette and white urine tube in your household waste
  • Return the samples in the freepost box provided
  • Place the bag of samples in the box, and then seal by removing the yellow peel-away strip inside
  • Post your sample back on the same day you collected it

Vaginal swab

Do a vaginal swab if:

  • You have a vagina (that you use for sex)
  • You have had a vaginoplasty (do this as well as a urine sample)

If you are not sure whether to do a vaginal swab or urine sample, do both.

This pack contains a white swab and a sample tube (green cap). You will take your sample using the white swab, and then snap off the end of the swab (below the black line) into the sample tube.

You will return the sample tube containing the snapped swab, and dispose of the swabs packaging.

  • With soap & warm water
  • Unpack the kit on a clean surface
  • Remove the swab from the packaging 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
  • Insert the swab about 5cm into your vagina, rotating the swab as you push
  • Rotate the swab 5-10 times around the inside of your vagina
  • 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
  • Put the swab into the tube (absorbent tip down)
  • Carefully snap the swab below the black line by pressing it against the side of the tube
  • Screw the lid back onto the sample tube tightly
  • Put the sample tube inside the white protective absorbent pouch & bag, along with any other samples, and then seal the bag
  • Throw away the swab cap and packaging
  • Return the samples in the freepost box provided
  • Place the bag of samples in the box, and then seal by removing the yellow peel-away strip inside
  • Post your sample back on the same day you collected it

Throat swab

Do a throat swab if:

  • You have oral sex

This pack contains a white swab, and a sample tube (green cap) labelled ‘throat.’ You will take your sample using the white swab, and then snap off the end of the swab (below the black line) into the sample tube.

You will return the sample tube containing the snapped swab, and dispose of the swabs packaging.

  • With soap & warm water
  • Unpack the kit on a clean surface
  • Remove the swab from the packaging 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
  • Open your mouth & stick your tongue out
  • Wipe the cotton tip of the swab several times around the back of your throat (behind the uvula/ “dangly bit”) & both tonsils
  • 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
  • Put the swab into the tube (absorbent tip down)
  • Carefully snap the swab below the black line by pressing it against the side of the tube
  • Screw the lid back onto the sample tube tightly
  • Put the sample tube inside the white protective absorbent pouch & bag, along with any other samples, and then seal the bag
  • Throw away the swab cap and packaging
  • Return the samples in the freepost box provided
  • Place the bag of samples in the box, and then seal by removing the yellow peel-away strip inside
  • Post your sample back on the same day you collected it

Rectal swab

Do a rectal swab if:

  • You have any anal sex (including with toys or fingers)

This pack contains a white swab, and a sample tube (green cap) labelled ‘rectal.’ You will take your sample using the white swab, and then snap off the end of the swab (below the black line) into the sample tube.

You will return the sample tube containing the snapped swab, and dispose of the swabs packaging.

  • With soap & warm water
  • Unpack the kit on a clean surface
  • Remove the swab from the packaging 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • Put the swab into the tube (absorbent tip down)
  • Carefully snap the swab below the black line by pressing it against the side of the tube
  • Screw the lid back onto the sample tube tightly
  • Put the sample tube inside the white protective absorbent pouch & bag, along with any other samples, and then seal the bag
  • Throw away the swab cap and packaging
  • Return the samples in the freepost box provided
  • Place the bag of samples in the box, and then seal by removing the yellow peel-away strip inside
  • Post your sample back on the same day you collected it

Blood sample

This pack contains a blood sample tube (the smallest tube with a yellow cap), 2 finger-prick lancets, an alcohol wipe, and a plaster for collecting your blood sample.

You will return the filled blood sample tube to us, and dispose of the lancets and alcohol wipe after you have taken your sample.

Instruction video: How to take a home blood sample

How to take a Finger Prick Blood Sample at Home.

It’s free, easy, and confidential.

Welcome to this tutorial on how to take a blood sample for your at-home STI test kit. The pack you have received contains:

  • A cleansing wipe
  • 2 lancets for pricking your finger, in case one doesn’t work or you need to try again
  • A plaster
  • A vial for collecting the blood- you must fill it to the 1ml mark.

The pack also contains an absorbent pouch or pad you can use to put the blood pot in, and a plastic bag to place it in.

Before starting, you should wash your hands in warm water, and to facilitate blood flow to your fingers, make sure you keep your hands hanging by your side for a couple of minutes. You can also shake your hands or jump up and down just to ensure better blood circulation.

Step 1- Start by wiping your finger with the wipe.

Step 2- Press down on the finger you’re going to pierce, and unscrew the top of the lancet.

Step 3- Press down the lancet on your finger, like a button, and you should see a drop of blood. Wipe away the first drop of blood and squeeze a few drops of blood into the vial.

Step 4- Position your hand above the vial and massage your finger downwards to ensure that you get enough blood drops.

Plaster your finger afterwards!

Check that the blood collected is at least 1 millilitre. Do NOT dilute your blood sample in any way as this makes it unsuitable for testing. Discard the lancets and wipe once you’ve collected your sample.

Lastly, You must post your samples back the same day you collected them. you can place the blood vial in the pouch, along with any other samples. Place it in the plastic bag and put it back in the box, remove the yellow seal, close the flap, and your test is ready to post!

Thanks for watching.

Collecting your blood sample

  • Warm your hands: wash your hands in warm water or hold a warm drink for 2-3 minutes
  • Do some light exercise beforehand for example star jumps or running on the spot for a couple of minutes
  • 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
  • With soap & warm water
  • Unpack the kit on a clean surface
  • Stand the blood collection tube (the smallest tube with a yellow cap) on a flat, stable surface
  • Use the alcohol wipe to clean one of your middle fingers & let it dry
  • 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
  • Holding your hand downwards, massage from the base to the tip of your finger and collect the drops of blood in the tube (the smallest tube with a yellow cap)
  • Fill the tube to at least 1.0, as quantities smaller than this will not be sufficient for testing
  • Twist cap on tightly
  • Apply plaster and use spare lancet on a different finger if needed
  • Gently turn the tube upside down 5 times
  • Place the tube in the white protective absorbent pouch & bag, along with any other samples, and then seal the bag
  • Place the bag of samples in the box, and then seal by removing the yellow peel-away strip inside
  • Post your sample back on the same day you collected it
  • Dispose of lancets safely – they can go in your household bin
  • Do not return used lancets

Where to get an X pack

You can order an X pack to be delivered to you home address using our at home testing service.

You can pick up an X pack from the reception desk at SHAC East and SHAC Central.

X packs are also available from most of our vending machines.