Window Periods: Different infections have different window periods—the time between exposure and when the test can detect infection:
- HIV (4th generation test): 4 weeks after exposure for most accurate results
- Syphilis: 2–4 weeks after exposure
- Chlamydia/Gonorrhoea: 2 weeks after exposure
If you've had very recent potential exposure, consider retesting after the appropriate window period.
Urine Collection: Collect the first part of your urine stream (first-catch urine). Do not urinate for at least 1 hour before collection.
Throat and Rectal Swabs: Do not eat, drink, or brush your teeth for 30 minutes before collecting your throat swab. For rectal swabs, do not use lubricants before collection.
Antibiotics: If you are currently taking antibiotics or have taken them in the past 2 weeks, this may affect your PCR results. Consider testing after completing your course of antibiotics.
If You Have Symptoms: If you have symptoms such as discharge, sores, pain, or flu-like illness, we recommend visiting your GP or local sexual health clinic for a face-to-face assessment in addition to this test.