Sexual Health -Blood (PSEX)

Bundle Contains

• Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
• Hepatitis B Antigen
• Syphilis

Sexually transmitted infections can occur without obvious symptoms. Laboratory testing provides a reliable and confidential way to check your sexual health, whether you have had a particular exposure, have a new or changing sexual partner, want routine screening or simply want reassurance.

Different infections require different tests, samples and timing. Choosing the appropriate test and testing at the right time are important because an infection may not be detectable immediately after exposure.

Timing after a recent exposure

If you are testing because of a specific recent sexual contact, be aware that there is a period after infection when laboratory testing may still be negative.

• HIV has a longer window period. For a specific recent exposure, HIV serology is generally considered reliable at approximately 6 weeks.
• Syphilis can also take time to become detectable and repeat testing may sometimes be required following a recent exposure.

A negative result obtained too early does not necessarily exclude infection.

The HIV test detects HIV-1 and HIV-2 antibodies and HIV p24 antigen and is used to screen for HIV infection.

HIV may not be detectable immediately following infection. If you are testing because of a specific recent exposure, the window period for laboratory HIV serology is approximately 6 weeks. Testing performed earlier may need to be repeated.

If you believe you may have had a significant HIV exposure within the last 72 hours, seek urgent medical advice as post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) may be available and should be started as soon as possible.

https://pathologytestsexplained.org.au/ptests.php?q=HIV+serology

Hepatitis B Antigen is also known as Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). This test is used to screen for acute or chronic hepatitis B.  

https://pathologytestsexplained.org.au/ptests-pro.php?q=Hepatitis+B

The Syphilis test detects antibodies to the bacterium that causes syphilis. Pathlab uses a treponemal antibody screening test (CLIA), sometimes followed by TPHA (also treponemal) and RPR (nontreponemal) tests depending on the screening test result.

 https://pathologytestsexplained.org.au/ptests.php?q=Syphilis

Please note a Pathlab microbiologist may contact you in the event of your result requiring further clarification.

Sample type: Blood

Turn around time: 7 days