Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are passed from one person to another typically through unprotected sex or genital contact.¹ Some of the most common STIs are Chlamydia, Genital Warts, Herpes, Gonorrhoea, HIV and Viral Hepatitis. Over one million STIs are acquired every day worldwide.²

Not all STIs cause noticeable symptoms. You could have an STI and not know. Therefore it is essential to get regular health checks. Some STIs, like chlamydia, can be asymptomatic – i.e. they display no symptoms but can cause long-term complications like infertility.³

STI symptoms in women

• yellow or green vaginal discharge
• smelly discharge (often fish-like)
• bleeding between periods
• bleeding after sex
• pain during sex

STI symptoms in men

• discharge from penis tip
• irritation of the urethra
• swollen testicles

STI symptoms in both genders

• pain when urinating
• itching, burning or tingling around the genitals
• blisters, sores, lumps or a rash around genitals or anus

Confidante At-Home STI Testing Kit

If you have recently entered a new relationship, experienced unprotected sex or are planning a family you should get tested for STIs, and may want to avail of our 10-plex STI test.

We offer a home testing sexually transmitted infection kit called ‘Confidante’ which enables you to be tested for 10 of the most common STIs. Confidante is designed to ensure a simple, hassle-free process where you will receive your results in 7 working days of posting your sample via email or telephone.

The process is straightforward and so simple: Buy Online / Register Kit Online / Collect Sample / Post / Receive Results.

For healthcare professionals, we also offer a Multiplex Sexually Transmitted Infection Array allowing you to outsource samples for STI testing. The CE-marked STI Array provides excellent precision, specificity, sensitivity and accuracy for STI diagnoses, which reduces the risk of false reporting and unnecessary confirmatory tests. Our simultaneous multiplex testing means smaller sample volumes are required, enabling faster throughput and rapid patient diagnosis saving you time and money.

STI Multiplex Array detects the following;

• Chlamydia Trachomatis
• Neisseria Gonorrhoea
• Herpes Simplex 1
• Herpes Simplex 2
• Treponema Pallidum
• Mycoplasma Hominis
• Ureaplasma Urealticum
• Mycoplasma Genitalium
• Haemophilius Ducreyi
• Trichomonas Vaginalis

Randox Clinical Laboratory Services

Tests for each of the STIs detailed above are run in Randox Clinical Laboratory Services (RCLS) in Antrim, Northern Ireland. RCLS is built upon Randox’s 35 years of experience and provides a clinical laboratory service designed to meet the time-sensitive, bespoke requirements of clinical and research projects globally.

RCLS have 4 UKAS ISO 17025 accredited testing laboratories No. 9329 – with unrivalled facilities across the UK. They are situated in Liverpool, London, Holywood and Randox Science Park Antrim. Within each of the locations there are a team of experienced scientists to support your project while you save money, time and labour.

There are a variety of analyser platforms available across the RCLS laboratories including the RX series of clinical chemistry analysers, along with our Evidence Series of multiplex immunoassay/molecular diagnostic systems, which utilise our intelligent Biochip Array Technology.  Each site also offers alternative third-party analysers.

To find out more information about Confidante sexual health testing, or RCLS, visit: https://www.confidantetest.com/ or email info@rcls.com. To find out more information about our STI Array visit: https://www.randox.com/sti-array/ or email info@rcls.com

1. https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/sexual-and-reproductive/sexually-transmitted-infections-stis
2. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/sexually-transmitted-infections-(stis)
3. https://onlinedoctor.lloydspharmacy.com/uk/info/sexual-health-information/what-is-a-sti