Description
An STI blood screen can detect several sexually transmitted infections (STIs) but isn't a complete picture of your sexual health. Here's why:
Detectable STIs: Blood tests are effective for identifying specific viral STIs like:
HIV
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis C
Blood test limitations: It can't detect all STIs. Here are some examples:
Bacterial STIs: Chlamydia, Gonorrhoea (needs swabs from genitals or urine sample)
Parasitic STIs: Trichomoniasis (usually diagnosed with swab or urine sample)
Comprehensive Screening:
For the most thorough STI screening, a combination of tests is recommended by your doctor based on your sexual history and risk factors. This might include:
Blood tests: As mentioned above for HIV, Hepatitis B & C, and Syphilis (a two-step process).
Swabs: Depending on your anatomy and sexual practices, swabs from the cervix, vagina, or urethra may be used to test for:
Chlamydia
Gonorrhoea
Herpes simplex virus (HSV) 1 & 2 (although blood tests can also be used, they may miss recent infections)
Urine sample: This might be used for:
Chlamydia
Gonorrhoea
Trichomoniasis (for men)
Turnaround times:
2-5 Working days
Note:
This service is only available to the age of 16 and above.
Furthermore, Any Cancellation within 48 hours prior to appointment will incur a charge of 20% of total service cost.