Samples
Which STD test sample do you need?
Blood, urine and site-specific swabs answer different questions.
- Reading time
- 4 minutes
- Last updated
- 2026-08-10
- Medical review
- Named clinical reviewer pending
Match the sample to the exposure
Blood may be used for infections such as HIV, syphilis and hepatitis. Urine or genital swabs may be used for chlamydia and gonorrhoea. Oral or anal exposure can require throat or rectal swabs.
One sample may not cover every site
A genital or urine test does not automatically exclude infection at another anatomical site. Share every relevant type of contact with the clinician.