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.
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
Pack contents are different depending on where you got your kit from. Pack 1 contains a 600mcl blood sample bottle (push top). Pack 2 contains a 1ml blood sample bottle (screw top). The rest of the pack is the same.
Watch our video on how to take a blood sample before you start.
- with soap & warm water
- unpack the kit on a clean surface
- 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 1 instruction video
Pack 2 instruction video
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
- 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
- Pack 1: fill the tube to the TOP FILL LINE – “600”. Push cap on firmly
- Pack 2: fill the tube to AT LEAST “1.0”. Twist cap on tightly
- use spare lancet on a different finger if needed & apply plaster
5
RETURN
- gently turn the tube upside down 5 times
- place the tube in the protective container in the plastic bag with the white absorbent sheet, seal the bag
- return the bag of sample(s) in the freepost envelope. Post it 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
THROAT SWAB
BEFORE YOU START
Pack contents are different depending on where you got your kit from.
Pack 1 contains a pink swab, a white swab and a sample tube (black cap). Please use the pink swab and throw away the white swab.
Pack 2 contains a pink swab and a sample tube (white cap).
Both packs contain a return envelope.
For both types of pack:
- unscrew the lid of the sample tube
- take your sample using the pink swab
- snap off the end of the pink 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
- peel open the packet
- Pack 1: use the pink swab. Throw away the white swab
- Pack 2: use the pink swab. Hold it on the black line
- avoid touching the white tip of the swab
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 lid 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) until it touches the bottom. Bend the swab against the side of the tube until it snaps
- screw the lid back on tightly
5
RETURN
- put all sample tubes in the plastic bag with the white absorbent sheet and seal the bag
- return the bag of samples in the freepost envelope. Post it back the SAME DAY
RECTAL SWAB
BEFORE YOU START
Pack contents are different depending on where you got your kit from.
Pack 1 contains a pink swab, a white swab and a sample tube (black cap). Please use the pink swab and throw away the white swab.
Pack 2 contains a pink swab and a sample tube (white cap).
Both packs contain a return envelope.
For both types of pack:
- unscrew the lid of the sample tube
- take your sample using the pink swab
- snap off the end of the pink 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
- peel open the packet
- Pack 1: use the pink swab. Throw away the white swab
- Pack 2: use the pink swab. Hold it on the black line
- avoid touching the white tip of the swab
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 lid 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) until it touches the bottom. Bend the swab against the side of the tube until it snaps
- screw the lid back on tightly
5
RETURN
- put all sample tubes in the plastic bag with the white absorbent sheet and seal the bag
- return the bag of samples in the freepost envelope. Post it back the SAME DAY
VAGINAL SWAB
BEFORE YOU START
This swab is for individuals with a vagina.
Pack contents are different depending on where you got your kit from.
Pack 1 contains a pink swab, a white swab and a sample tube (black cap). Please use the pink swab and throw away the white swab.
Pack 2 contains a pink swab and a sample tube (white cap).
Both packs contain a return envelope.
For both types of pack:
- unscrew the lid of the sample tube
- take your sample using the pink swab
- snap off the end of the pink 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
- peel open the packet
- Pack 1: Use the pink swab. Throw away the white swab
- Pack 2: Use the pink swab. Hold it on the black line
- avoid touching the white tip of the swab
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 lid 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) until it touches the bottom. Bend the swab against the side of the tube until it snaps
- screw the lid back on tightly
5
RETURN
- put all sample tubes in the plastic bag with the white absorbent sheet and seal the bag
- return the bag of samples in the freepost envelope. 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.
Pack contents are different depending on where you got your kit from.
Pack 1 contains a urine pot (white cap), a pipette and sample tube (black cap). The pipette is for putting your urine into the sample tube, and can be thrown away after you have taken your sample.
Pack 2 contains a urine pot (white cap).
Both packs contain a return envelope.
If you have Pack 1, you will return the sample tube (black cap). If you have Pack 2, you will return the urine pot (white 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 urine pot
- finish peeing in the toilet
- Pack 1: follow instructions to pipette urine into the sample tube
- Pack 2: screw the white cap back on the urine pot
3
PIPETTE URINE
- Pack 1: unscrew the black cap off the urine sample tube, squeeze the top of the pipette and put the tip in the urine, stop squeezing and the pipette will fill up. Put the pipette in the sample tube and squeeze the top of the pipette to push out the urine. Fill the sample tube between the top 2 purple lines (marked with an arrow). Screw the cap back on
4
URINE SAMPLE TUBE
- Pack 1: put the urine sample tube (black cap) in the plastic bag with the white absorbent sheet, seal the bag
- Pack 2: put the urine pot (white cap) in the plastic bag with the white absorbent sheet, seal the bag
5
RETURN
- return the bag of samples in the freepost envelope
- post it back the SAME DAY
