Hi! First off the normal sensible disclaimer; the following is my own personal opinion, I am not a medical practitioner, do not have any particular relevant qualifications nor am I a statistician with access to any research but as a responsible bisexual guy, have personal experience of some of these tests and I hope these comments will help.
Please bare in mind that if you are showing symptoms of an STI (check them on the NHS websites: I’m not sure if I can post links here so I won’t try but so easy to find!) then it is, in my opinion, and I believe recommended, that you visit your local clinic as soon as you can. The reason being, of course, is that a trained medical professional or clinic nurse will examine you, and even without relying on results of tests taken, may be able to instantly diagnose an infection and take suitable immediate action; like prescribe a course of antibiotics.
But if like me, you and indeed everyone else here who’s active, you aren’t showing any symptoms but may have been exposed to a risk and want to take a routine screening test, they are, in my opinion, really good and very convenient: and if done properly with some care; have, again in my opinion, a similar efficacy as any test done in a local GUM clinic and perhaps even in the GUM department of the local hospital. I hope this explains why I think so.
No STI test is 100% accurate anyway so a word before we go on about when to have a test taken (or take one yourself) as this has an effect on the accuracy of any test; home or otherwise. It takes a while from being exposed to or catching an infection to it showing up on a test: this time depends on the pathogen in question and your own immune system but generally I believe it’s up to 2 weeks for things like Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea and HIV in the region of 3-4 weeks. I believe Syphilis can appear quickly but can also hide from the test for a good 3-4 months in some cases.
I believe (but please check) that it’s best or recommended to test after 3-4 weeks so you cover as much as you can but as you can get a separate home HIV test as well, at least once, I’ve done a second simple HIV test later on.
Now the source of the test kit. In many areas, and mine thankfully, the tests are provided free of charge (which is really good and worthwhile for the sake of public health: generally though not more than one every 6-8weeks which should really be plenty) through the NHS but I believe supplied by a number of different subcontracted agencies. There are also test kits available from large or online pharmacies and by private companies too. I can’t really comment on all that’s available and I’m sure there is some variety in the quality and type of materials supplied (another variable). Personally I get mine through SH:24 (dot org dot UK) but there are many other agencies and sources available.
They were very prompt and my test arrived in the post two days later after ordering online (with a questionnaire giving some background: this meant I got a pack with I believe everything in it for a bisexual guy). The package was small enough to fit through my normal sized letterbox so I didn’t have to sign for it (as far as I remember) and completely plainly wrapped in that tamper proof bag that you can’t open without destroying it with just my name and address on it.
In fact too prompt; expecting that it’d take a while I ordered mine only two weeks after I’d exposed myself to a potential risk so I wanted to wait until at least the 3 weeks had well passed. But CAUTION; I believe that due to the active ingredients in these kits, there is (or was at least on mine) a use by date. Again, like the materials used by a clinic proper storage prior to use may have an effect on the efficacy of the results.
Anyway, in my case the kit contained 4 or 5 tests (will check next time and maybe post some pictures). In (at least one) the blood test you place the sample in a receptacle, screw on the top and gently mix the blood with the material in the vial; just like I’ve seen done by the nurse in at least one clinic. So it’s obviously important that this ingredient is active and not passed its date.
All the other tests involved sterile packaged swabs, urine sample bottle and/ or vials that were in my opinion exactly as I’ve seen at both a local or hospital GUM clinic. The only difference is that you do them yourself rather than have them taken by a trained nurse. So for example; there’s a standard urine sample bottle (and if I remember correctly a sterile container to pee into and then to transfer to the bottle to make it easier)
The one exception (in my test kit) is taking a blood sample. Normally the nurse inserts a hypo into a vein in your arm and takes a good deal of blood into one or two receptacles attached to the tube. In my kit, you used a little single use automatic lancet that makes a pin prick on your finger (quite deep: but the pain is very short, a little nip, quite exquisite) and you drip blood from the prick into the receptacle. As this takes three hands, the packaging was carefully designed to hold the vial vertical and in place. (I still managed to drip a few big drips of blood not in the target!)
I didn’t find the instructions difficult but it’s worth reading them a couple of times before doing each test in the kit. And don’t rush, I found that it was useful to do them one at a time, with a little break in between so you’re calm and relaxed.
As a bi guy inclined to indulge from time to time in receiving anal, my pack had a throat and a rectal swab; again sterile wrapped with sterile transport containers for return (actually both mine were labelled throat swab, but the instructions and labelling requirements therein differentiated the two for the receiving lab)
I found it really easy; but quite a bit to do; carefully reading, sampling, labelling, correctly repackaging and returning in a new enclosed discreet self labelled tamperproof bag, duly deposited in the post office outward bag.
Hint: you can understand that contamination of any sort degrades the effectiveness of the tests; so as instructed wash your hands thoroughly before, after during (as sometimes required) each of the tests.
So back to the original question: how accurate are they?
Well you can see with all these variables it would be difficult to quantify this as factors such as initial storage, timing of tests, handling, correct use by you, repacking and handling again and then prompt and correct handling by the lab all have an possible influence on a successful test outcome. GUM clinics in doctors surgeries are supplied with much the same materials but proper handling and storage is important. GUM departments in hospitals theoretically would have a higher turnover of materials stored but since they despatch and have the kits delivered promptly, I’d say that would make little difference.
The main difference is how carefully you follow the instructions; making sure you follow them to the letter, don’t sneeze or cough, handle the equipment as instructed but again you don’t need a full medical training to do this properly and well (saving valuable resources in the clinics where they are needed)
I can’t see that the home method of taking blood for sampling is any less effective provided your hands are clean and you use the preparatory swab just beforehand, letting it dry without touching anything.
I know that samples are sent on from a GP surgery often by post, and I suspect they may also be from a hospital if they out source to a test lab as well. I dropped my package off at the post office counter rather than leave it overnight in a post box but again I’m not sure if that would be significant, even in a cold snap.
My results were texted back to me direct but discreetly to my phone; within a week and still within the expiry date of my test pack. All clear!
And then most recently, I got tested by a nurse in an addiction clinic (Alcohol; I’ve been drinking too much again). They provide this as part of the service provision. She used almost exactly the same equipment. Again, All clear.
So in my opinion, do it right, do it carefully and there is no significant difference in the process than at a GU surgery or at a GU department. Therefore the efficacy is very similar.
Plus you don’t have to hang around in a drop in waiting your turn, or take half a day of work for the only available appointment.
I hope this helps: give it a go and see for yourself!
Chris xx |
I just can't get my fingers to bleed. I've jammed every one of those three lances in my fingers - nothing! 