An important part of maintaining your sexual health includes regular screening for sexually transmitted infections (STIs). This includes testing for STIs like chlamydia and gonorrhea through swabbing the body parts you may be using for sex, including the rectum (bum) and throat.
Swab tests look for localized infections not detected in your blood work. You can have an infection in one place but not the others, meaning a negative test from one body part (e.g. throat) does not mean your tests will be negative for other body parts (e.g., rectum).
Up until now, you have been getting urine testing for chlamydia and gonorrhea with your regular PrEP lab work every three months. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, swab shortages, and some challenges with virtual care, we had previously been unable to offer swabs to patients for self-collection.
We are excited to now be able to offer you comprehensive testing for chlamydia and gonorrhea that you can do from the comfort of your own home!
Use the instructions for your province.
Please watch this video from the University of California, San Francisco.
Text and picture instructions are also available here for your specific kit.
Please watch this video from the University of California, San Francisco.
Text and picture instructions are also available here for your specific kit.
You’ll need to transport your swabs to the laboratory with the requisition provided by the pharmacy.\
The Roche/Cobas PCR Media Dual Swab Collection Kit contains:
Step 1: Discard the flocked swab.
Step 2: Remove the women swab (flocked swab) from the packaging. To collect the specimen, hold the swab with the score line above your hand and insert it into the mouth to collect the specimen from the bilateral posterior pharynx, both tonsils and the uvula.
Step 3: Withdraw the swab carefully. DO NOT let the swab touch any surface before placing it into the collection tube.
Step 4: Remove the cap from the PCR media tube and lower the swab specimen into the tube until the visible score line on the swab is aligned with the tube rim. The tip of the swab should not be submerged into the liquid prior to breaking the shaft.
Step 5: Break the pink shaft of the swab at the score mark. Use care to avoid splashing of contents.
Step 6: TIGHTLY recap the tube. Label the tube and requisition with patient information and date/time collected; labels and requisitions provided in pharmacy bag.
Step 7: Transport to the laboratory.
***Text and picture instructions are also available at the link provided for your specific kit on pages 13-14 here.
Please watch this video from the University of California, San Francisco.
Text and picture instructions are also available in the self-swab kits that are sent.
The Roche/Cobas PCR Media Dual Swab Collection Kit contains:
Step 1: Discard the flocked swab
Step 2: Remove the women swab (flocked swab) from the packaging. To collect the specimen, hold the swab with the score line above your hand and insert the swab about 3-5cm into the anal canal. Gently turn the swab for about 5-10 seconds while running the swab against the walls of the rectum. If the swab is grossly contaminated with feces, discard it and repeat the collection.
Step 3: Withdraw the swab carefully. DO NOT let the swab touch any surface before placing it into the collection tube.
Step 4: Remove the cap from the PCR media tube and lower the swab specimen into the tube until the visible score line on the swab is aligned with the tube rim. The tip of the swab should not be submerged into the liquid prior to breaking the shaft.
Step 5: Break the pink shaft of the swab at the score mark. Use care to avoid splashing of contents.
Step 6: TIGHTLY recap the tube. Label the tube and requisition with patient information and date/time collected; labels and requisitions provided in pharmacy bag.
Step 7: Transport to the laboratory.
***Text and picture instructions are also available at the link provided for your specific kit on pages 13-14 here.
Freddie is now offering an at-home swab kit service at the beginning of each new 3-month prescription cycle with select partner pharmacies, pending availability! When the pharmacy calls to confirm your delivery address, they will inquire if you would like included with your prescription an optional asymptomatic swab kit.
Chlamydia and Gonorrhea are localized infections in these areas and would not be detected through blood work. These swabs are an important part of comprehensive STI screening.
Most persons on PrEP will receive two swabs to collect from their throat and their bum.
Currently, we are offering swabs through the following partner pharmacies: Affirming Care: Alberta, Affirming Care: Ontario, and Mint Health + Drugs: Church Street!
The swabs sent to you by Freddie are meant for screening for STIs as part of regular care while taking PrEP. With swabs, we are checking for additional STIs just in case.
If you have symptoms of an STI, it is recommended that you be seen in person at a sexual health clinic or another healthcare provider. This way, treatment for STIs can be administered simultaneously with testing.
If you have symptoms, there may also be some additional tests performed by the clinic that are not possible to self-collect at home.
Need help with finding a place to go? Please get in touch with one of our Care Coordinators.
The two swabs sent to you by Freddie are for the back of your throat and your bum.
Testing frequency is based on your sexual behaviours and if you have any symptoms.
If you have no symptoms (asymptomatic screening), current guidelines recommend that you are tested every 3 months. Due to swab shortages because of the COVID-19 Pandemic, some provinces have changed their recommendation to screening every 6 months.
If you have symptoms, you should get tested as soon as possible. Symptoms can include a sore throat or discharge in the case of throat (pharyngeal) infection or irregular bowel movements, pain or urgency with bowel movements, or discharge in the case of rectal (anal) infection.
The urine test completed at the lab is always preferred to the PCR-specific swab taken from a penis, so we will continue to ask for the urine test when you have your other lab tests (blood samples) completed.
The urine test is nearly identical to the swab for STI screening for persons with a vagina.
The swab is only preferred if a person has symptoms. We would encourage anyone who has symptoms to be seen in person at a sexual health clinic or another healthcare provider so that provider can administer treatment at the same time as a sample is collected.
Take the swabs to your nearest approved diagnostic lab ‘collection’ site and tell them that your doctor asked you to drop this test off.
Ontario patients can drop off swabs at LifeLabs.
Alberta patients can drop off swabs at Alberta Precision Laboratories, Dynalife or NUMI labs.
You should not normally see blood on a throat or rectal swab. If it is a small amount and you have no other signs of bleeding, make sure to keep a close eye on this and report any continued bleeding to your primary care provider.
If you see an unusual and large amount of blood, please head to an in-person medical service - either an urgent care or emergency department.
