MSM Standard STI Test (Blood + Urine/Throat/Rectal Swabs) Test

A multi-site screen covering HIV 1/2 antigen/antibody, syphilis and chlamydia/gonorrhoea from the listed blood, urine, throat and rectal samples. Choose it for the sites and infections covered, not solely by identity label.

At a glance

• Sample: Blood / Urine / Aptima multisite swab
• Collection: Self-collected sample using the supplied kit
• Estimated turnaround: 2 days from laboratory receipt of a usable sample

What this test measures

HIV-1/2 antibodies and p24 antigen

A fourth-generation blood screen for HIV immune response and an early viral antigen. A reactive screen is not a diagnosis and requires confirmatory testing. Testing too soon after exposure can miss infection.

Syphilis IgG/IgM antibodies

A blood screening marker that requires confirmation if reactive. A reactive screen can reflect current or previous infection and requires confirmatory testing, treatment history and clinical review.

Chlamydia trachomatis — urine, throat and rectal sites

The bacterium that causes chlamydia, tested at the listed exposure sites. A detected result needs interpretation for the sampled site, symptoms and possible colonisation or confirmatory testing; a non-detected result can be unreliable if testing was too early or the wrong site was sampled.

Neisseria gonorrhoeae — urine, throat and rectal sites

The bacterium that causes gonorrhoea, tested at the listed exposure sites. A detected result needs interpretation for the sampled site, symptoms and possible colonisation or confirmatory testing; a non-detected result can be unreliable if testing was too early or the wrong site was sampled.

How clinicians use this test

Clinicians use HIV-1/2 antibodies and p24 antigen, Syphilis IgG/IgM antibodies, Chlamydia trachomatis — urine, throat and rectal sites and Neisseria gonorrhoeae — urine, throat and rectal sites to look for the listed infection, exposure or resistance markers at the sampled sites. Results may support diagnosis, but window periods, site selection and confirmatory testing remain important.

Is this the right test for you?

Adults seeking testing for the listed infection(s) and sampled site(s), particularly after an appropriate test window. People with symptoms or a known contact should use a sexual-health service.

Preparation and collection

Return the sample on the same day it is collected. Do not post over weekends or bank holidays.

Understanding your result

Results are usually reported as detected, not detected, reactive or non-reactive rather than simply “normal”. A reactive or detected result may need confirmation or treatment; a non-detected result does not exclude exposure during the window period or infection at a site that was not sampled.

Your results and next steps

Review positive, reactive, unexpected or persistent-symptom results with a sexual-health service. Partners and treatment should be managed using clinician advice.

Limitations

This test covers only the listed infections and sampled sites. Testing during a window period can miss infection, and reactive screening results may require confirmation.

When to get medical help

Do not wait for a postal result if you have symptoms, a known contact, are pregnant with a concern, or may need time-critical HIV post-exposure prophylaxis. Contact an NHS sexual-health service. Call 999 for a life-threatening emergency.