A few years back, if you wanted to have medical services in the comfort of your own home, you would have to get your local doctor to make a house call. Nowadays, with the advancement of technology and transportation, it is possible for patients to get a full sexual health screening through home STD testing.
Today, you can have your samples evaluated by medical professionals without ever leaving your home. Most providers will also provide after-care meaning you get the full 360 degree service you need to look after your health.
We know that the technology exists, however, not every at-home testing service is worth your hard-earned money. At STDwatch, we put the research in so you don’t have to. Here is our definitive list of the 6 best at-home STD tests in 2024.
Summary of the Best Home STD Testing Services
- LetsGetChecked
- myLAB Box
- Priority STD Testing
- STDcheck.com
- Quest by Quest Diagnostics
- AimCheck
- Nurx
- Everlywell
1. LetsGetChecked - Best Home STD Testing Overall
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Confidential results in 2-5 days
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Free & discreet shipping - both ways
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Uses hospitals labs for max accuracy
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Medical support available 24/7
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Consultation for treatment options
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FSA & HSA cards accepted
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FDA listed tests
LetsGetChecked earns the prestige of being the best home STD testing overall, because it is reasonably priced, extremely accurate, and delivers fast results.
This is especially evident from the fact that all of their tests are processed in labs that are CLIA, CPA, INAB approved, and CAP-accredited. In addition to this, LetsGetChecked offers treatment options with a virtual consultation to help you get treated fast should you test positive.
If you test positive, you can start a virtual consultation with LetsGetChecked’s healthcare providers at $39.
If you are a suitable candidate for treatment, LetsGetChecked can then send you medication directly to your home or prescribe medication to your local pharmacy.
This level of professionalism and respect that LetsGetChecked has earned in the industry has allowed them to partner with prominent companies like CVS and Walmart.
LetsGetChecked’s general methods of sample collection are a quick finger-prick blood test or a urine sample. After you have mailed back your kit you can usually expect to get your results (from your secure online account) within 2-5 days.
When it comes to customer service, LetsGetChecked is also unmatched in this regard. They have a team of highly trained nurses that are available 24/7 to assist any customer with treatment options.
Furthermore, the company is able to guarantee complete privacy of your data and they are upfront about all of their terms and conditions.
In terms of convenience, LetsGetChecked definitely has one of the fastest, easiest, and most discreet shipping services for their home STD testing.
Order a LetsGetChecked At-Home STD Test Here
LetsGetChecked have also managed to take the lead in terms of affordability as well, since they have the ability to give all of their customers free shipping both ways as well. That being said, standard shipping is the only service that’s free, if a customer needs express shipping then they will be charged an extra fee.
LetsGetChecked’s home STD testing packages are as follows:
- Hepatitis B & C Test - $89. STD test to detect hepatitis B & C infection.
- Simple 2 - $99. STD test to detect the 2 most common infections, chlamydia & gonorrhea.
- Basic 3 - $119. STD test to detect the 3 most common infections, chlamydia, gonorrhea & trichomoniasis.
- Standard 5 - $149. STD test to detect the 5 most common infections, chlamydia, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis, syphilis & HIV (1, 2, P24 antigen).
- Complete 8 - $249. STD test to detect the 10 most common infections, chlamydia, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis, syphilis, HIV (1, 2, P24 antigen), gardnerella, mycoplasma, & ureaplasma.
What makes LetsGetChecked the best home STD testing service overall?
- Treatment Options Available With a Virtual Consultation
- FDA Listed Tests
- Results in 2-5 Days
- Discreet Packaging
- Free Shipping Both Ways
- FSA & HSA Cards Accepted
- Medical Support Available 24/7
Read LetsGetChecked Full Review
2. myLAB Box - Most Comprehensive Home STD Testing
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Certified & discreet STDs home kit
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Lab results in 2-5 days
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Screens for the highest risk factors
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Free medical consultation for positives
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Accepts FSA & HSA cards
myLAB Box is notable for having the most comprehensive home STD testing service on the market. Their most popular at-home test package is the “Uber Box” – which is a kit that tests for eight of the most common STDs, including chlamydia, herpes, HIV, and hepatitis C.
Although the Uber Box is their most popular test kit (and great value for money) it is not their best or most comprehensive home std testing offering. Customers of myLAB Box that want a complete testing experience will usually opt for their “Total Box” test kit. The Total Box does cost about $100 more than the Uber Box, however, it tests for 14 STDs – 15 if you also include the optional HPV test.
Male patients will usually have to collect a blood sample and a urine sample, while on the other hand, female patients will generally have to collect a blood sample and a vaginal swab.
All of myLAB Box’s testing procedures are HIPAA-compliant and patients with positive results get access to a free consultation with a recommended medical professional. In terms of shipping, customers can rest assured that myLAB Box’s services are discreet and fast. Their shipping is free both ways and you can expect to get your results within 2-5 days.
What makes myLAB box the most comprehensive home STD testing option?
- At Home Test Kits
- Results in 2-5 Days
- FDA & CLIA Certified
- Accepts FSA / HSA cards
- 100% Private - Never Leave Your House
SAVE 20% WITH COUPON "WATCH20"
3. Priority STD Testing - Newest Home STD Testing Option
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Same day STD testing
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Accurate results within 24-72 hours
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Care counselors are always available
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100% confidential and HIPAA compliant
Priority STD Testing is a Missouri based national provider of STD testing. Priority STD testing offers testing options across 4,000 locations in the United States.
With a simple three-step process, customers can access swift, non-invasive STD testing that takes half an hour or less, with results available in 24-72 hours.
Priority STD Testing is a relatively new home STD testing option, however, there are plenty of benefits including:
- Walk-in Labs
- Same Day Testing
- Private & Confidential
- Fast Results Within 24-72 Hours
- 4000 Testing Locations Across the Nations
- FDA Approved Tests
Read Priority STD Testing Full Review
4. STDCheck.com - Most Widely Available in-person STD Testing
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100% confidential STD testing
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10-test panel detects all major STDs
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Test results return within 1-2 days
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Same day STD testing available
STDcheck.com definitely stands out from all of the other entries on this list for one main reason, they technically aren’t a a home STD testing option.
The company doesn’t give you the option to get tested at home; however, you are able to
order the test, pay for it, and schedule your appointment from the comfort of your home.
Since the kit is never delivered to your home, you will have to visit a clinic to complete your test.
Thankfully, this process is not as much of a hassle as it could be, primarily because STDcheck.com has partnered with over 4,500 testing centers throughout the US. This means that patients are bound to have a location nearby.
In addition to this, they are able to use STDcheck.com’s convenient “Find a Center’’ tool to identify the most suitable location. Due to these factors, STDcheck.com is a great choice for customers that want fast STD testing and fast results. In fact, if the clinic that is chosen has an open slot, customers have the ability to take the STD test on the same day that they have ordered it.
Furthermore, results are usually delivered in 1-2 days (via email).
What makes STDcheck.com a good home STD testing option?
- 100% Confidential STD Testing
- Same Day Testing - Results in 1-2 Days
- Over 4,500 Testing Facilities Nationwide
- Accepts HSAs/FSAs, PayPal & Cryptocurrency
5. questhealth.com by Quest Diagnostics
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Choose from 90+ lab tests
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2,200+ collection sites
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At-home phlebotomy collection available (in select zip codes)
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Get results online, 100% confidential
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Avg. test results in 2-5 days
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Speak to an independent physician at no extra cost
This publication is not intended to solicit the purchase of laboratory testing from any individual consumer.
Quest Diagnostics is a leading provider of diagnostic information services. Through its online platform, questhealth.com, the company offers a wide range of testing services to help individuals take control of their health.
questhealth.com serves as a user-friendly portal for individuals to access a variety of testing services offered by Quest Diagnostics. These services include laboratory tests, at-home testing kits, and access to medical professionals for consultations. questhealth.com enables users to order tests, schedule appointments, and view results securely online, making it easy for individuals to manage their health from the comfort of their homes.
6. labcorp OnDemand
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Convenient lab tests, no insurance hassle
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Instant online access to your test results
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Physician review for tests, no clinic visits
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Manage your health with online test purchases
Labcorp OnDemand allows individuals to order lab tests from the comfort of their homes, without the need for a doctor’s visit. The service offers over 40 self-ordered lab tests that provide insights into various aspects of an individual’s health and wellness. The tests range from comprehensive health screenings, men’s and women’s health tests, to specific tests such as Sexual Health Testing, Testosterone Test, and Standard Thyroid Test. They also offer at-home tests for conditions like Colorectal Cancer.
The process of using Labcorp OnDemand is straightforward. Users can order their lab tests online, provide their samples either at home or in-person at a Labcorp location, and access their results online within 1-2 days of the sample arriving at the lab. The service is backed by Labcorp’s gold standard diagnostics, which are trusted and relied upon by doctors. The pricing is transparent, with no hidden fees, making premium health tests accessible at an affordable cost.
7. Nurx Home STI Testing - Convenient And Discrete
Many people like to keep all things related to their sexual health a private affair and some even have trouble speaking with their own physician about STI testing. There are people at risk who will never undergo proper testing out of discomfort, affordability, access or cost. A healthcare service provider called Nurx is looking to change all that. They’ve created a simple home-based testing system that gives people necessary knowledge about their sexual health at last. You’ll be surprised to see just how easy it was to use and that the service goes far beyond receiving test results.
Get Tested with Nurx
Read Nurx Full Review
8. EverlyWell - The Home STD Testing Option with a Subscription Service
EverlyWell offers a lot of the same benefits that their competitors have – free return shipping, discrete packaging, and accurate results – however, they also have one big factor that sets them apart from a lot of the competition.
We’re of course talking about their subscription plans. With EverlyWell, customers can choose to have either a monthly, a quarterly, or a semi-annual ongoing home STD testing subscription plan.
Their premier package is relatively affordable and it tests for six of the most common STDs.
This is definitely comprehensive enough for a lot of people but it is still worth mentioning that there are services out there that offer testing for 10 or more STDs.
How We Tested Home STD Testing Providers
Here are some of the primary ways that we tested home STD testing providers to find the best choices.
Discreet packaging
No one wants to declare to the world that they are doing an STD test and so because of this, discretion is one of the main features that customers look for first.
LetsGetChecked is a prime example of this since they use plain packaging and the sender address of their orders is noted as “Privapath Diagnostics’’.
CLIA certified and accuracy
Accuracy and certification are important to customers because no one wants to potentially spend hundreds of dollars to get false positives or false negatives on their results. As a general rule of thumb, you should never use the services of an STD testing company that is not CLIA certified.
According to the FDA: “Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) regulate laboratory testing and require clinical laboratories to be certified by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) before they can accept human samples for diagnostic testing.”
Quick results
Patients that are having STD tests done are oftentimes stressed and worried about their potential results. As a result of this, getting test results as soon as possible is an important factor that customers evaluate when they are comparing different services.
Cost
STD testing is relatively pricey and it is easy to find comprehensive at-home testing kits that cost around $300 or more. Sure you have to be willing to pay these fees if you want the most accurate results; however, we still consistently see that affordability is a premier factor that customers consider.
Telemedicine
The extent of a company’s telemedicine services is extremely important if they are offering at-home STD tests. Are they only going to do the basics and send you your results via email or their website? Are they going to provide a virtual consultation with a medical professional once you get your results?
Privacy
How an STD testing company is going to handle your results is a very important factor that needs to be considered. Generally speaking, if a company doesn’t plainly outline their stance on privacy, then they are usually not worth your time.
Why Get Tested for STDs?
With over 20 million new infections of STD (sexually transmitted diseases) every year, it’s no surprise that statistically one in two sexually Americans will contract an STD by age 25.
More alarmingly, over 65 million Americans have an incurable form of STD. Diagnosis and treatment are of great importance because letting such a disease go unchecked can lead to significant health issues down the road, including:
Damage to Body Tissue and Organs
The infection caused by STDs may lead in some cases to permanent damage to body tissue and organs, including mouth, throat, anus, and even the eyes, where it will eventually result in severe loss of eyesight and even blindness.
Infertility
In most cases, untreated STDs such as chlamydia and gonorrhea, are relevant causes of both Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and infertility. Testing for these STDs is of great importance, as PID is known to be a “silent” infection, developing in (~20%) of STDs and leading to permanent damage of the Fallopian tube and other surrounding tissues, which for instance cause infertility in women.
Malignant Cancer
Evidence demonstrates STD/STIs increase your risk of several cancer such as cervical, penile cancers, as well as other parts of the body (anus, mouth, throat) both in males and females.
So, with this in mind, it’s important to understand what an STD is and isn’t, and how you should act if you suspect you have an STD or are even just sexually active.
Order a LetsGetChecked At-Home STD Test Here
STDs in Women and Men
Sexually transmitted diseases remain a major public health challenge in the U.S., especially among women, who disproportionately bear the long-term consequences of STDs.
For example, each year untreated STDs cause infertility in at least 24,000 women in the U.S., and untreated syphilis in pregnant women results in infant death in up to 40 percent of cases.
Testing and treatment are keys to reducing disease and infertility associated with undiagnosed STDs.
Wondering whether STDs in women differ to STDs in males? Or which STD most commonly affects females/males? What about the symptoms?
STDs in women: Here’s everything you need to know
STDs in men: Here’s everything you need to know
Should I Try Home STD Testing?
It is well known that certain activities are specially considered risk factors such as needle sharing and drug use, men having sex with men, young age, etc.
Besides this, any person who may had any sexual activity in the past, or which has sex activities with multiple sex partners (+1 person during lifetime or in the last 12 months) is at risk of having contracted an STD, additionally, this risk will increase depending on the number of sexual activities.
The only 100% guaranteed methods of preventing any STD or STI are either not having any kind of sexual contact or having it inside a monogamous and faithful relationship with a non-infected person (a person who has received a negative result from a high sensitivity test after the window time has passed).
Otherwise, if you are outside one of these two groups, please consider you possess a considerable risk of developing or having contracted an STD. In this case, receiving a test can be the best thing to do.
How To Get Tested For STDs?
STDs should always be tested by a trained medical professional. The tests themselves involve the acquiring of your blood, urine or saliva sample, which will then be tested using an FDA-approved STD test.
For certain types of STDs, a doctor may request a swab from the inside of your mouth, genitals (urethra for men and cervix for women), or of a discharge from sores (if present).
In certain cases, the tests can be carried at the clinic, however in most cases the samples will need to be sent to a lab for more advanced and comprehensive testing.
Where To Get Tested For STDs?
These days, testing for STDs or STIs is hardly an issue, as the rise of privately-owned STD testing centers and services has created new standards and practices that make testing private, affordable, fast and reliable.
Generally, these private STD testing services will send a discreetly packaged home kit to your doorstep. This package will include all the different tests you’ve ordered, along with simple-to-follow instructions on how to perform each test.
At the same time, it’s important to remember that some tests, namely those that require a larger blood samples, will require you to physically visit the lab or clinic – but don’t worry, today’s testing services employ thousands of private testing locations across the country.
Private STD Testing
There’s no way around it – one of the most critical points of concern, especially when it comes to STDs, is privacy. Perhaps more so than other medical conditions, STD and STI testing that isn’t handled responsibly could reveal private information about us that we don’t want to share, as it could have unforeseen consequences.
Don’t Let Privacy Concerns Stop You from Getting Tested!
There are too many cases in which a person has decided to skip STD testing out of privacy concerns, even when suspecting exposure. The good news is that you have nothing to worry about in terms of privacy. You have full control over the information you share, if you’re doing it the right way.
Good News for Privacy
Private STD testing services are aware of this concern and have gone to great lengths to make sure privacy is not an issue. For example, you’ll notice that these services employ highly capable safeguards on their website, including industry-standard encryption protocols. Many companies will also allow you use an entirely unidentifiable digital code that you can use instead of your name.
Reputable and reliable STD testing services are fully compliant with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability ACT (HIPAA). This act ensures that your private information is protected from any unsolicited access and gives you the right to decide who can access your private health data.
How Long Does An STD Test Take?
From start to finish, your STD testing journey could easily take more than a week; however, the majority of this time is not going to be taken up by the actual testing process. Once the testing kit has been delivered, you can collect your samples and send them back on the same day. Once the testing facility has received your samples, they can complete your tests in 1-3 days.
Most of the time is going to be spent on the kit being shipped to you and then subsequently your samples being shipped to the testing facility. For many companies, this shipping can take 2-5 days (both ways) unless you pay for express shipping.
Will STD Testing Companies Bill My Insurance?
The answer to this question will vary from company to company but generally speaking, most of the biggest names in the industry will not bill your insurance for their at-home STD tests. On one hand, this means that you will have to pay for everything out of pocket. On the other hand, this also means that your STD testing is extremely private because it is “off the books”.
How do I prepare for home STD testing?
You do not have to do anything special to prepare for an STD test. Many are done by taking a blood or urine sample with no prep work on your end.
Is home STD testing accurate?
This will vary from company to company but generally speaking, you can expect to see the same level of accuracy as an STD test that takes place in a clinic. It is however important to keep in mind that the accuracy of the results of an at-home STD test is going to greatly depend on the accuracy of the samples that you collect.
Order a LetsGetChecked At-Home STD Test Here
What samples do I need to provide when using home STD testing?
The samples you will need to collect will depend on the type of STDs you are testing for. Depending on the type of STD you are testing for, you may need to collect a blood or urine sample, or you may need to take rectal, vaginal or throat samples via a swab.
What is the best option, home std testing, walk in labs or over the counter options?
Find out more about the best sexual health testing option for you here.
Summary
Yes, it is true that LetsGetChecked is indeed our “Best Overall” choice for at-home STD tests but that does not mean that the rest of the options on our list should be disregarded. In fact, all of the companies that are on this list not only delivers high-quality accurate results, they also put a strong emphasis on privacy and discreteness as well.
Please take note you can have an STD even if you feel good. The information above leads to only one conclusion: just because you haven’t noticed any of the symptoms usually associated with STDs, such as skin sores, warts, abnormal discharges from the genitals or a rash, does not mean that you don’t have a dormant STD that can be spread to others, that is the reason testing is of great importance.
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Confidential results in 2-5 days
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Free & discreet shipping - both ways
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Uses hospitals labs for max accuracy
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Medical support available 24/7
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Consultation for treatment options
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FSA & HSA cards accepted
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FDA listed tests
Frequently Asked Questions
Does STD testing necessarily involve a physical examination?
Some STDs are diagnosed with a combination of a physical exam of the genitals and blood testing at a lab. The type of STD and the severity of the symptoms will determine if a physical is needed. Most of the time, you can test with blood, urine, or swabs of the mouth or sex organs.
How do I prepare for an STD test?
You do not have to do anything special to prepare for an STD test. Many are done by taking a blood or urine sample with no prep work on your end.
How to get tested for STDs?
STDs should always be tested by a trained medical professional. The tests themselves involve the acquiring of your blood, urine or saliva sample, which will then be tested using an FDA-approved STD test. For certain types of STDs, a doctor may request a swab from the inside of your mouth, genitals (urethra for men and cervix for women), or of a discharge from sores (if present). In certain cases, the tests can be carried at the clinic, however in most cases the samples will need to be sent to a lab for more advanced and comprehensive testing.
Can you get a STD Test at Walmart?
Yes, but you can get the SAME tests at lower prices on our site with our special coupons.
Are at-home STI tests accurate?
This will vary from company to company but generally speaking, you can expect to see the same level of accuracy as an STD test that takes place in a clinic. It is however important to keep in mind that the accuracy of the results of an at-home STD test is going to greatly depend on the accuracy of the samples that you collect.
When should I get tested for an STD?
The average incubation period for an STD is 3 weeks but when you should get tested for an STD will depend on the type of STD you believe you have contracted. The incubation period as outlined in the above article refers to the length of time it takes for your body to produce antibodies/develop physical symptoms of an STD. This means that if you had unprotected sex on Monday, and take an STD test the following Tuesday, you could receive a false negative. This means that you are still at risk. Refer to the incubation periods in the above article as a guide, but ensure that you visit a health professional if you are concerned about symptoms or a sexual experience.
How do I get tested for an STD?
You can visit a health professional in a healthcare setting or take an at home STD test. The STD that you have, or think you have will determine the type of testing required. Some STDs involve a physical examination and a blood test, others will require a urine sample or a swab test. Your symptoms and/or whether your previous sexual partners are aware of an STD they could be carrying will help to determine the type of testing that you require. In most cases, you can test with blood, urine, or swabs of the mouth or sex organs.
How long should I wait to take an STD test after an incident which has led me to believe that I may have contracted an STD?
The incubation periods (length of time it takes for a test to be able to test positive or negative for an STD) will depend on the type of STD you have contracted. On average it takes 2-3 weeks from the time of unprotected sex for a test to provide accurate results. Find out more about incubation periods in men, and incubation periods in women.
How do I prepare for an STD test?
There is nothing you need to do to prepare for an STD test.
Does STD testing require a physical examination?
STD testing doesn’t always require a physical examination, at home STD tests require urine and/or blood samples, some tests may require vaginal, oral or rectal swabs.
What is the best option, home kits, walk in labs or over the counter options?
Find out more about the best sexual health testing options
What samples do I need to provide when taking an at home STD test?
The samples you will need to collect will depend on the type of STDs you are testing for. Depending on the type of STD you are testing for, you may need to collect a blood or urine sample, or you may need to take rectal, vaginal or throat samples via a swab.
