Home Testing
Ordering Your Kit
You can use this service to get a free test kit for Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea. You can also get a free kit that will test for HIV, Syphilis, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C. You can use these kits in your own home and then post it to the laboratory in the pre-paid envelope. Send everything back with the samples to the laboratory, including the request form, as your samples cannot be tested without it.
Please note that you will always have a result from us – if you have not heard from us in 3 weeks please contact us on phw.sexualhealth@wales.nhs.uk
Click here for more info
Sorry but this service is not monitored on weekends or Bank Holidays.
Please see below for some information about where to access help out of hours for your sexual health:
If your enquiry is about results, orders or anything non urgent or not listed below, you can expect a response from the service during office hours Monday to Friday (09:00-16:00) (except Bank Holidays). We will respond to all emails sent.
If you have been sexually assaulted in the last 120 hours you can get help and advice at your local A&E department, alternatively, you can contact NHS 111 Wales.
If you have been sexually assaulted at any time and are over the age of 16 you can contact the 24/7 Rape and Sexual Abuse Support line on 0808 500 2222 or access more information about them here: https://247sexualabusesupport.org.uk/
If you think you might have come into contact with HIV and want to know about Post Exposure Prophylaxis for HIV (PEP/PEPSE) please visit the webpage (About HIV) for extra information. If your risk was within the last 72 hours please contact your local emergency department for support when the sexual health clinic is closed. If you are unsure, you can contact NHS 111 Wales.
If you have had unprotected sex in the last 120 hours and want to know about Emergency Contraception please contact your local pharmacy (details can be found here: NHS 111 Wales – Search Results). (Please check with the pharmacy before attending as there needs to be a trained pharmacy professional on duty to provide emergency contraception.).
If you are experiencing any symptoms please contact NHS 111 Wales.
If you feel unsafe please contact the free 24 hour Live Fear Free Helpline by phone on : 0808 80 10 800, by text on: 078600 77 333, or via their direct email service at info@livefearfreehelpline.wales. This helpline supports anyone experiencing domestic abuse.
This service is being evaluated to ensure that it is the right thing for Wales so we would be grateful if you would complete the survey after ordering your kit.
In order for us to provide this service we will need some personal data from you which will be collected on a system hosted by Signum Health. We only collect and process the personal data that is necessary for the particular task that we are carrying out. Public Health Wales recognises that your personal data is very valuable, and so we take its security very seriously. We employ robust technical measures to secure your personal data and access to it is restricted to people who have a need to process it in line with their work. In line with the requirements of the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) whenever we collect or process personal data from people we must advise them of how and why we process it, what we do with it and who if anyone we share it with. We do this by means of a Privacy Notice.
If you are happy to continue and use the service please check this box and order your kit:
For more information and kit tutorials visit our YouTube Channel.
Please Note:
Please be aware we use Royal Mail which is sometimes impacted by delays. For the latest service updates please visit: Service Update (royalmail.com)
Please note that as we currently have pre-packed coded kits, we have had to change the packaging in order to comply with the MHRA’s Medical Devices Standards.
Whilst the grey outer ‘bag’ remains discrete with no logos or identifiers the box itself has an outer sleeve with information about the kit contents and purpose.
Mpox
If you think you might have Mpox please DO NOT order a home test kit for STIs (Mpox – Public Health Wales (nhs.wales)
Home sampling STI kits WILL NOT test for Mpox
You can only get tested for Mpox through the sexual health clinic – please phone your local service (NHS 111 Wales – Search Results) to discuss it with them. Please DO NOT just turn up. Stay at home and avoid close contact with other people until you’ve been told what to do.
Testing positive (or negative for an STI) doesn’t mean you haven’t got Mpox – you will only be tested for Mpox if the doctor assesses you and requests the test.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I order if I am under 16?
No, you cannot order a test kit through SH Wales if you are under 16. If you are under 16 please contact your local sexual health service. To find your local sexual health service click here
What should I do if I have symptoms?
If you have symptoms you need to contact your local sexual health service. To find your local sexual health service click here.
How can I get emergency contraception?
If you have had unprotected sex in the last 5 days and need emergency contraception click here.
How can I get PEPSE?
Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEPSE) is a course of medication you can take if you think you have been exposed to HIV in the last 72 hours. If you have had unprotected sex in the last 72 hours and think you may have been exposed to HIV please contact your local sexual health service. To find your local sexual health service click here.
If it is out of service hours, you can attend your local A&E department. The sooner you start taking PEPSE, the more effective it is so do not delay in seeking advice.
When should I get tested?
Clinicians sometime refer to ‘window periods’ when testing for STIs. The window period is the amount of time it takes from catching an STI to it showing up as positive on a test.
If you think you might have been exposed to an STI it is recommended that you get a test for chlamydia and gonorrhoea 2 weeks after unprotected sex.
For a blood test, it is recommended that you get tested 7 weeks after unprotected sex (7 weeks is the window period for HIV). You should consider re-testing again 5 weeks later as the window period for syphilis, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C* is 12 weeks.
*Hepatitis C can take up to 6 months to show up as positive in a test, if you are at risk of contracting the virus (i.e. Chemsex) it is recommended that you test again 3 months later.
If you think you might have been exposed to HIV in the last 72 hours, we recommend seeking immediate advice on receiving PEPSE – click here and use the ‘Find Local Services’. Select ‘Sexual Health’ and put your postcode in to find services near you.
What STI tests are tested?
You can be tested for chlamydia and gonorrhoea and/or tested for HIV, syphilis, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C from your own home.
Does the kit test for Trichomonas?
No, you will need to visit a specialist sexual health service to test for Trichomonas.
Does the kit test for Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV)?
No, to test for HSV some fluid is taken from one of your blisters/sores. It cannot be done if you do not have any visible blisters or sores. You will need to attend a specialist sexual health service if you have symptoms.
What does the urine kit and/or swab kits test for?
The urine kit tests for chlamydia and gonorrhoea. The vaginal, throat, and rectal swab kits test for chlamydia and gonorrhoea.
What does the blood kit test for?
The blood kit tests for HIV, syphilis, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C.
If you have previously been treated for syphilis you will receive an extra blood kit to run an additional syphilis test – as you can catch syphilis more than once.
If you have not had HIV, syphilis, hepatitis B, or hepatitis C before and you have a ‘reactive POSTIVE’ result, a follow up blood sample will be taken to make sure it is not a false positive.
Why does my gender matter?
We ask to collect data to see that we are as inclusive as possible and also for the system to direct advice regarding which kit should be sent.
Why do you need to know the type of sex I have?
We ask what type of sex you have so that we can send out the right test kit for you.
How long does it take for a test kit to arrive?
You should receive your test kit within 3-5 working days.
I ordered a test kit a couple of months ago but didn’t use it, can I use it now?
All of the sample tubes have expiry dates on them and a long shelf life. The tube with the shortest shelf life is the small tube used for the blood sample.
How long does it take to get a result?
You should receive your results within 3 weeks of returning your kit. If you have not had your results within 3 weeks please email PHW.SexualHealth@wales.nhs.uk and we will check your results for you.
If all of your results are NEGATIVE and all of your samples were able to be processed, you will receive a text message.
What if I have a POSITIVE result?
If any of your results are POSITIVE the sexual health service in your area will be in touch to arrange your free and confidential treatment and care.
Where is my test kit?
Please be aware of postal delays – we use Royal Mail who have been impacted by COVID-19.
Is the packaging discreet?
Yes, the test kit packaging is discreet. The packaging does not have any logos or identifying information. We have some videos online that show you what they look like: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZzx0Y6fLCIUNzOLYB4xJPA
If you order multiple tests (i.e., urine kit and a blood kit) they will arrive in the same packaging. The only time you will receive more than one package is if you have been previously treated for syphilis.
What is PrEP?
Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) is a new HIV prevention strategy. HIV-negative people can used HIV antiretrovirals (ARVs) to reduce their risk of becoming infected with HIV. For more information click here.
Where can I get a vaccination against Hepatitis B?
The hepatitis B vaccination is available on the NHS for anyone who is at increased risk of hepatitis B or its complications. You can talk to your GP or your local sexual health service if you think you are at risk.
Where can I get a vaccination against HPV?
The Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is offered on the NHS to all 12 and 13 year olds.
Men who have sex with men (MSM) up to and including the age of 45 are eligible for free HPV vaccination on the NHS. This can be done at your local sexual health service. Trans women (people who were assigned male at birth) are also eligible if their risk of getting HPV is similar to the risk of MSM who are eligible for the HPV vaccine.
Trans men (people who are assigned female at birth) are eligible for the HPV vaccine if they have sex with other men and are aged 45 or under. If trans men have previously completed a course of HPV as part of the HPV vaccine programme in schools, no further doses are needed.
What if I have a REACTIVE result?
If you have a reactive result, this does NOT mean positive. It just means the test has reacted to something in your blood.
This first test is very sensitive. It picks up almost all infections, but it may also cross-react with other things in your blood.
If you have a reactive result, then you need to have a second blood sample taken in a clinic so that further tests can be done.
In many cases, the initial result is not confirmed, and the final result will be negative.
If any of your results are REACTIVE the sexual health service in your area will be in touch to arrange further tests.
Where can I get free condoms?
You can get free condoms here