A blood-borne STI test checks for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) found in the blood.

STIs that can be tested for include:

• hepatitis B and C
• syphilis
• HIV

These infections can be spread when there is an exchange of blood or body fluids. You may be at risk of exposure if you come in contact with an infected person through unprotected sex, sharing needles, or direct contact with open lesions or sores.

Depending on the infection, it can take days to weeks for the STI to be found in a test. If you think you have been exposed, you may need to wait a while before testing to be sure. In the case of syphilis and HIV, you will need to test again at a later date. This will reduce the risk of getting a false negative result.

Hepatitis Testing

Hepatitis is a viral infection that causes inflammation of the liver. Hepatitis B and C can result in long term infections. Both hepatitis B and C can take up to 3 months after exposure to be found using a blood test. Testing earlier may not provide accurate results so you will need to test again later to be sure.

Syphilis Testing

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection (STI). Early detection and treatment are needed to stop syphilis from spreading to other parts of the body and causing serious illness. There are often no symptoms in the early stage, which can make syphilis go unnoticed for a long time. If you do test negative, you should also have a retest after 3 months, because it can take this long for the infection to test positive.

HIV Testing

HIV can be tested with a simple blood or saliva (spit) test. The test can be taken 45 days after exposure, but another blood test should be taken 3 months later to confirm. HIV is a viral condition that causes the immune system to weaken. If left untreated, it can turn into Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS).

The blood-borne test kit lets you test for hepatitis B and C, syphilis, and HIV from your home. Blood tests are more accurate at diagnosing blood-borne infections than swab or urine tests.

The contents of a blood-borne kit will include an instruction leaflet and a:

• sample tube
• lancet (small needle)
• lab card
• prepaid envelope

The instruction leaflet will guide you on how to collect the blood sample using the other contents in the kit. It is a simple finger prick test. The lancet has a sterile needle to safely prick your finger for the blood sample.

The kit will also have a prepaid envelope to place the sample in and send to our lab. It will take just 2 to 3 days for the results to be ready. One of our doctors will then get in touch with you to let you know the results. This will be done by confidential messages on your patient account.

When to test for hepatitis B and C

You should get tested for Hepatitis B and C 3 months after exposure. This is because the viruses that cause hepatitis B and C can take a little while to become detectable in your blood, so if you take a test too early then the viruses may not show up in your results. If you do a test earlier than 3 months after exposure and get a negative result, you will need to get another test later to confirm your result.

When to test for syphilis

You should get tested for syphilis 3 to 6 weeks after exposure. This includes if you have had unprotected sex, have shared needles, or have otherwise come into contact with the bodily fluids of someone who is infected. You need to wait because the bacteria that causes syphilis has a short incubation period, which means it may not show up on a test if you do it too early.

If you test negative you should get another test 3 months later to confirm your results. If you test positive you should get tested again 4 weeks after you have completed treatment to make sure the infection has cleared up.

When should I get tested for HIV?

If you think you have been exposed to HIV, talk to your GP or visit a sexual health clinic as soon as possible. Depending on the case and if you visit your doctor within 72 hours of exposure, you may be offered post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP). This is an emergency course of treatment for HIV that can prevent an infection, and you will need a test before and after PEP to check if it has worked.

Otherwise, HIV can be detected on a blood test in 45 days, so you should get tested 6 weeks after exposure. You should get another test 3 months later to confirm your result.

As soon as you collect the blood sample, send it back using the prepaid envelope. When the sample gets to our lab, the results should be ready within 2 to 3 days. Our doctors will then contact you through your patient account.

This account is completely private. We do not send results or other messages by text or email for your privacy. If we need more information from you, you might get a phone call from one of our doctors.

Negative results

A negative result means the lab did not detect an STI in your blood sample. This means it is very likely that you do not have an infection, as our blood test is highly accurate. However, if you have tested too early then the infection may not be detected.

If you test after the window and the result is negative, you do not have the STI. If you test within the window, you should retest later to confirm the result in case it hasn’t been picked up on the test. Retesting is recommended for both HIV and syphilis cases, 3 months after the date of exposure.

Positive results

If you test positive, then we have found an infection in your blood sample. This means that it is highly likely that you have hepatitis b, hepatitis c, syphilis, or HIV. The results will confirm which infections we have detected in your blood.

In some cases false positives can happen, which means the test can return a positive result without you having the infection. This can happen for a number of reasons, such as the blood test picking up antibodies for a different infection. Because of this, you should get another test to confirm your results.

This is why first tests are called reactive and not positive. If you test positive on another test, you will need to seek treatment as soon as possible. Our doctors will advise you on the next steps to take.

If you test positive for any of these infections then our doctors will be in contact to provide you with expert advice on what to do next. This includes providing access to treatment if we can, or putting you in contact with a specialist who will be able to treat your infection. All of these infections can be effectively treated if caught early enough.

Hepatitis is an inflammatory condition that affects the liver. It can be caused by a viral infection or drinking too much alcohol. There are different types of hepatitis. The most common types are A, B, and C.

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is mainly spread through bodily fluids like blood or semen.

Bodily fluids are spread through:

• unprotected sex
• sharing of needles and razors
• tattooing and body piercing using unsterilised (dirty) equipment
• pregnancy and childbirth

What are the symptoms of hepatitis B?

People who get hepatitis B often do not have any symptoms in the early months. It can take 2 to 3 months for symptoms to appear.

Symptoms include:

• fever
• loss of appetite
• body aches
• diarrhoea
• abdominal pain
• jaundice (when your skin or eyes turn yellow)

Most hepatitis B infections will clear within 3 months. Cases that last longer than 6 months are considered chronic.

If you have been exposed to hepatitis B in the last few days, emergency treatment can be used to stop the infection. If it has been a few months, or weeks, the symptoms can be treated to help fight the infection. If the infection lasts more than 6 months, ongoing treatment may be required to manage the virus and reduce the risk of liver damage.

Hepatitis B can be prevented with a Hepatitis B vaccine. We can offer the vaccination through any of our Superdrug Health Clinics.

Hepatitis C

Hepatitis C is mainly spread through blood contact with an infected person. Most hepatitis C cases in the UK are spread through sharing needles for drug use.

It can also be spread through unprotected sex with an infected person, and from mother to child during pregnancy and childbirth. Hepatitis C does not often have visible symptoms in the early stages.

What are the symptoms of hepatitis C?

People who do suffer symptoms can experience:

• flu-like symptoms of fever and muscle ache
• fatigue (feeling tired)
• loss of appetite
• abdominal pain
• general malaise

Around 1 in 4 people will fight off the infection. But it can remain dormant (inactive) in the body for many years. Hepatitis C can be treated with medications that stop the virus from spreading through the body. Over 90% of people that get hepatitis C can be cured with these medications.

Syphilis is a sexually spread bacterial infection. It is usually spread through sexual contact or sharing sex toys with an infected person. Bacteria is spread through contact with an infected sore. Syphilis can also be spread by sharing needles, or from mother to child during pregnancy.

What are the symptoms of syphilis?

It is common for people infected with syphilis not to show symptoms.

Others may suffer mild symptoms like:

• fever
• painless sores or ulcers around the genital area
• white patches in the mouth
• swollen glands
• blotchy red rash on the hands and feet
• skin growths around the vulva and anus
• fatigue (feeling tired)
• headaches

These symptoms may clear without treatment. However, without treatment, the infection does not end. It can spread to other parts of the body over years, causing serious health problems later on.

HIV is a disease that weakens the immune system, making an infected person more open to getting other illnesses.

HIV can be spread through:

• unprotected sex with an infected person
• sharing needles, razors, or sex toys
• pregnancy and childbirth

HIV can be spread from an infected person through bodily fluids like blood, semen, vaginal fluid, and breast milk.

What are the symptoms of HIV?

Many that become infected have mild flu-like symptoms at first and they might not have any other symptoms for several years. When the virus starts to weaken the immune system, the infected person may get some symptoms.

These symptoms include:

• fatigue (tiredness)
• weight loss
• frequent diarrhoea
• herpes outbreaks
• swollen glands in the neck, armpits, and groin

The weaker the immune system, the more open an infected person is to serious infections.

The most common infections for people with HIV are:

• tuberculosis (TB)
• herpes
• pneumonia
• syphilis
• hepatitis B and C

There is no cure for HIV. But the condition can be managed through antiretroviral treatment (ART). These drugs can help keep the viral load of the virus low. The viral load refers to the particles of the virus present in a milliliter sample of blood. When at undetectable levels, the infected person may have unprotected sex with no risk of transmission.