How to use your rectal swab kit
What’s in the swab sample kit?
Swab
Swab sample transport tube
Included in the box:
Specimen transport bag
Lab card
Freepost box and security seal sticker
If anything is missing, text us.
Using the kit
1. When you’re ready to collect the sample, wash and dry your hands.
2. Take the swab out of the paper sleeve. Do not touch the soft tip.
3. Put the soft tip of the swab about 4cm into your anus (bottom). Gently rotate the swab for around 10 seconds, then remove it.
4. Hold the swab in your hand and unscrew the lid from the sample tube. Do not pierce the foil. Keep the tube upright so the liquid does not spill.
5. Put the swab into the tube with the soft tip facing down. Snap off the stick end of the swab. Securely screw the lid on so it does not leak.
Posting your kit
Put the tube into the specimen transport bag. If you have more than 1 kit, take all your samples and put them in the same bag.
Peel off the yellow strip, fold and seal the bag. You do not need to add your name, we’ve already labelled the tube with your unique code.
Write the date on your lab card. Put the lab card and your sealed bag of samples into the Freepost box.
Close the box using the security seal sticker.
Post back in any An Post box or Post Office.
What happens next
Once you’ve posted your kit:
when your results are ready, they’ll be sent to you in a text message
sometimes we’ll need to speak with you on the phone
if you need treatment or any support, we can help you
Do you need help with something else?
Find sexual health services near you
