Full STI Blood Test

Full STI finger prick blood test (4-in-1)

Over 400,000 cases of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are reported annually. It's important to be aware of the spread of STIs in order to take precautionary steps to reduce your risk of contracting them. You should be screened regularly if you are at risk of coming into contact with STIs.

The full STI blood test can detect the following 4 STIs.

1. HIV
2. Hepatitis B
3. Hepatitis C
4. Syphilis

HIV is a virus which attacks the immune system and continuously weakens the body until it cannot fight off infections. If left untreated, HIV can cause a terminal condition called acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).

Hepatitis is a condition causes by viruses which can cause inflammation of the liver. While the body can usually rid itself of Hepatitis B and C, both viruses can cause chronic infections, causing significant damage to the liver - a vital organ. If the virus reaches this phase, treatment will be required and an infected person will have their condition monitored over time to track the progression of the virus.

Syphilis is a bacterial infection contracted by having sex with an infected person. It can cause a number of complications if left untreated. Such complications include meningitis, stroke, blindness and heart problems. While syphilis is treatable, it can cause serious, long-lasting damage to the body.

All 4 of these STIs can be transmitted through unprotected sex. If you have had unprotected sex with someone who has any of these infections, you should get tested as soon as possible.

You can prevent catching these STDs by wearing a condom every time you have sex.

The 4-in-1 blood test cannot detect:

• chlamydia
• gonorrhoea
• herpes
• Gardnerella vaginalis
• trichomonas vaginalis
• mycoplasma genitalium
• Ureaplasma.

Only a urine test can detect these STIs.

Each test kit contains everything you'll need to collect a sample and a prepaid envelope to post it to our partner laboratory.

How accurate is the 4-in-1 blood test?

The laboratory tests are as accurate as tests offered at GUM and sexual health clinics. The tests have a high degree of accuracy (around 99.98%) so long as you collected your sample correctly, according to the instructions provided.

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When should I get tested?

It is recommended to be checked annually for STIs. But you should also consider testing between changing partners and of course, if you experience any symptoms.

Symptoms of common STIs include:

• Irritated genitals
• Pain when urinating
• Penile discharge
• Rectal discharge
• Sores, lumps or growths around the genitals and anus
• Testicular pain
• Vaginal discharge

If you experience any of the symptoms listed above, it is important to abstain from sex until a future test can confirm you are clear of any STIs.

STIs can be asymptomatic, which means they may not cause any symptoms in some people. The only way of knowing for sure if you have an STI is by taking a test.

It's important to point out that some viruses may not be detectable shortly after being infected, as is the case with HIV. The virus may not be detectable on tests for up to 3 weeks after the initial infection. If you believe you took the test too early, you should take a second test to make sure you do not receive a false negative result, where the test says you don't have an infection which you actually have.

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How does the STI 4-in-1 blood test work?

When an infection invades the body, the white blood cells release antibodies to fight the infection. The test looks for specific antibodies which the body uses to fight these particular infections. If an associated antibody is found, the virus is also present.

The 4 in 1 blood test kit contains:

• A blood collection vial
• A name label
• A plastic wallet
• A prepaid envelope
• A request form
• A security label
• A test kit box
• Three lancets
• Two alcotip swabs
• Two plasters
• Two wipes

The kit also comes with instructions on how to safely collect the sample at home and send the sample off for testing.

When should I post my sample?

You should post your sample as soon as it is collected.

Waiting too long to post your sample can cause the sample the haemolyse (the blood cells start to break down), making it unusable for testing and affect your results.

Your local post box will have a time when the post is collected from it. You should aim to post your sample near this time.

You can find your nearest post box online using this map.

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Frequently asked questions

How will I receive my test results?

Once our partner laboratory has received your sample, it should take 2 days for your results to be ready. Your results will be made available through your online Prescription Doctor account. In order to protect your privacy, we will not send your results directly to you.

How will I know when my results are available?

We will notify you via email and text message that you have pending messages on your Prescription Doctor account, to view.

What do I do if I test positive?

If you test positive for any of the STIs, one of our doctors will contact you with advice on what to do next.

Treatment for STIs

There are several treatments for STIs depending on which STI you test positive for. However, your doctor will be able to discuss a treatment plan with you and advise you on other lifestyle changes you may need to make.

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Confidential service with Prescription Doctor

We understand that sexual health can be embarrassing, which is why we've put privacy at the forefront of our online service.

Your test kit will be dispatched in discreet, plain, tamper-proof packaging. We offer a next-day delivery on orders processed before 3 pm, weekdays.

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Table of contents

Full STI finger prick blood test (4-in-1)

When should I get tested?

How does the STI 4-in-1 blood test work?

Frequently asked questions

Confidential service with Prescription Doctor

Additional resources

FAQs about our home testing kits