Testing for STIs today is easier than ever before. Science has made it possible to get tested from the comfort of your home, with an equal precision and accuracy as analysis performed in the doctor's office, leaving little space for excuses when it comes to avoiding STI testing. If doctor's visits are part of your regular routine, it is important to know that most of doctors do not conduct routinely STI testing, but it is needed to make a specific request for the analysis.
The testing procedure depends on the ordered test. The decision on which test would be needed for you is based on visible or suspected symptoms, or possible risks to which you have been exposed to. After choosing the wanted test, it is crucial to choose appropriate type of sample. Possible forms of samples are:
blood
urine
swabs (oral, cervical, vaginal, anal, penile)
In different tests, different sample types are used. For instance, for HIV test blood sample is used, while for HPV appropriate swab sample is needed. Also, not every sample type is approapriate for every test. For example, blood sample for testing HPV would not be efficient way in determining presence of infection.
Need2Know tests are based on the detection of pathogen's DNA within the sample. Unlike the antibodies which are present systematically, pathogen will be present on the site of the infection. Therefore, it is important to understand that the choice of body site for sampling depends on the site of sexual contact because of which you doubt on STI. During sexual contact with an infected person, site of sexual contact is the primary infection site, where pathogen will be located. For instance, it is justified to suspect of oral infection if you had oral sex with an infected person, and in case you decide to get tested, it will be needed to provide an oral swab for the analysis. In this case, if you send a cervical, penile or anal swab instead, there is a possibility of receiving negative test results, although oral swab would show positive. If one type of sample comes out negative, it does not imply that other body site samples would also come out as negative!
Also, it is important to understand that getting tested on same pathogen but from different body site samples is not treated as a single test. In case you had vaginal and oral sex, and you send vaginal and oral swab, these swabs are analyzed separately, as two separate tests. Why? Generally, it is possible to analyze those two samples together as a single test, but in case of positive results it would not be possible to recognize if there is an ongoing oral or vaginal infection, or both body sites are infected.
~STI testing revision~
Sample type depends on the site of the sexual contact. Experiencing only oral seks with an infected person most probably implies oral infection, and for its confirmation an oral swab would be needed. Providing a genital swab in this case would not enable identification of an oral infection.
Negative results from one sample type do not mean that other body sites are not infected as well! Risk of possible infection depends on types of previously experienced sexual contacts.
Different types of samples for same pathogen are analyzed as separate tests. Otherwise, it would not be possible to determine real site of infection.
Following conditions of use are enforced to all clients starting on 1st of February, 2018.
I) Ordering the Service
When ordering the Service by electronic means, the client of the STD testing (signer of the Testing Order Form, hereinafter: Client) will receive an electronic confirmation of receipt of the order no later than the next business day. The confirmation contains a list of ordered Services, the sample type, the Client’s contact details and payment instructions.
The Kit is sent no later than the next business day.
A Client can choose to receive the Kit by a courier service at additional cost.
Need2Know reserves the right to refuse provision of kits and testing service, to eliminate or terminate accounts, modify content, or cancel requests in its sole discretion.
After commencing the testing procedure, the Client may request cessation of the test by providing an explicit statement sent by the internal system on the Need2Know website, specifying the User ID and Access Key. However, a refund at that time is no longer possible.
Conditions for refusal of a Sample include (but are not limited to):
Improper sampling (wrong biological material, biological material that cannot pass the necessary processing, improperly labelled sample, deviating from the steps in the instructions for taking a sample)
Deviating from the required transport conditions (limited time for submitting samples for molecular analysis of pathogens, poor quality of the Sample upon receipt at the laboratory which includes severe damage, decomposition and contamination of the Sample)
Insufficient biological material
Unsigned acceptance of these Conditions of Use by the Client
Once the Sample is received, it becomes the ownership of InovaGen and can be used for internal quality control for the purpose of scientific research and the development of new analytical methods. Such samples are not marked by name.
In the case of the remaining sample material left after conducting the analysis, all samples will be destroyed 7 days after their arrival at the laboratory.
The testing will comprehend only the tests selected during the purchase, as well as samples from selected body areas. Test results obtained from samples of certain body sites do not imply or verify that other body sites are positive or negative compared to the tested body site.
The test results from this website will be available to the Client only online and it is the Client's responsibility to either download or print these results in case the Client desires to retain a physical or electronic copy.
If the Client has not been notified about his/her results, it cannot be assumed that the test results were negative, indeterminate or positive. It is the Client's responsibility to email customer support at info@2knowdiagnostics.com for instructions about receiving his/her results in case of any question.
The results of each conducted test are strictly confidential and are issued only to the Client who has ordered the Service. The results can only be accessed with the specific combination of UserID and Access Key provided to the Client. Each client is provided with his/her own unique UserID and Access Key.
It is the Client's responsibility to maintain the confidentiality of his/her account, password or Access Key. It is the Client's responsibility for all activities that occur under his/her account, password or Access Key.
Any and all personal medical information and personal data collected at the Need2Know web site will be treated confidentially.
More about privacy practices can be found in the Privacy Policy section.
Responsibility for taking a Sample is assumed by the Client. This also applies to the quality of the sample taken, i.e. that the sample submitted to the laboratory was properly taken, labelled and sent in a manner that prevents contamination or substitution.
Due to a certain latent period after the initial infection, there is a need for repeat or multiple testing at periodic intervals ranging from monthly to annually when latent infections may be present but are asymptomatic.
Certain terms related to the quality of the provided service may be included into this agreement by law. Lawfully valid terms are not listed in this agreement but are automatically valid.
