Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), including chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis, Hepatitis B and HIV, affect millions globally, leading to severe health complications if left untreated. Early detection and treatment are crucial in controlling the spread of these infections. Traditional testing methods often require visits to healthcare facilities, which can be a barrier for many due to factors like stigma, time constraints, and geographical limitations. Self-testing can bridge this gap, making it easier for individuals to know their status, stop the spread of infection and seek timely treatment.

For patients, the value of STI self-testing lies in its convenience and privacy. Self-testing kits can be used at home, eliminating the need for potentially uncomfortable visits to clinics, encouraging more people to get tested. Hurdle is launching five new sexual health screening panels as part of a broader sexual health testing rollout.

Male Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea test:This test screens for these two most common infections from a urine sample.

Chlamydia is the most commonly diagnosed bacterial STI in the UK followed by Gonorrhoea with rates increasing year on year. The highest rates are found among young people aged 15-24, who account for around 60% of cases, and for Gonorrhoea in men who have sex with men (MSM). Chlamydia trachomatis infects the epithelial cells of the genital tract, causing inflammation, whereas Neisseria gonorrhoea infects the mucous membranes of the reproductive tract, as well as the mouth, throat, eyes, and rectum. Symptoms can include discharge, burning with urination, and pelvic pain, but many infections are asymptomatic. If untreated, they can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), infertility, systemic infections, and risks of complications in pregnancy.

Female sexual health swab test: This at-home swab test allows women to test themselves for the most common infections that are related to sexual intercourse that can be found in the vagina. These are Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Trichomonas vaginalis and Mycoplasma genitalium.

Trichomonas vaginalis is a parasite infecting the urogenital tract that causes trichomoniasis. It is less commonly diagnosed in the UK compared to chlamydia and gonorrhoea, but is considered under-diagnosed due to the non-specific nature of symptoms and limited routine screening. Mycoplasma genitalium is another emerging STI in the UK, with prevalence rates estimated to be around 1-2% in the general population, but higher amongst high-risk groups.

Other microganisms can be be found to inhabit a grey area between pathogenic and commensal, meaning they can be present in many people often without consequence, but are also associated with sexually transmitted infections. Mycoplasma hominis is a common inhabitant of the genitourinary tract, often found in healthy individuals as well as those with infections. Prevalence data in the UK is limited, but it is known to be more common in sexually active individuals. It is often detected in women with bacterial vaginosis, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), and postpartum fever. It can also be linked to extragenital infections such as respiratory and joint infections, particularly in immunocompromised individuals.

Vaginal discharge swab test: This at-home swab test allows women to test them selves for a wider range of organisms associated with sexually transmitted infections and other causes linked to vaginal discharge. These are Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Trichomonas vaginalis and Mycoplasma genitalium, Mycoplasma hominis, Ureaplasma urealyticum, and Ureaplasma parvum.

Ureaplasma urealyticum and Ureaplasma parvum are common organisms that live in the healthy genitourinary tract of many women; often without causing any symptoms. Studies suggest that up to 70% of sexually active women and a significant proportion of sexually active men carry Ureaplasma without symptoms. It is frequently found in individuals with non-gonococcal urethritis (NGU) and bacterial vaginosis. Ureaplasma parvum is less frequently associated with symptomatic infections compared to Ureaplasma urealyticum. In newborns, it can be associated with respiratory and systemic infections, particularly in preterm infants.

HIV test – fourth generation: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) targets the immune system, specifically CD4+ T cells, leading to immune system deterioration and vulnerability to common infections and other diseases. Over 100,000 people are living with HIV in the UK today, with the prevalence higher in certain populations, such as MSM and black African communities. Infection with HIV can initially resemble flu or mononucleosis. This stage occurs 2-4 weeks after exposure and is highly infectious, after which a patient reaches the latency stage with low infectivity but the virus persists, eventually leading to AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome), which is the final stage of HIV infection, characterised by a severely damaged immune system. Without treatment, individuals with AIDS have limited survival. Today, widespread education and use of protective measures like condoms and pre/post-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP/PEP) have contributed to reduction of its spread; and newer treatments with anti-retrovirals (ARVs) mean people with HIV can continue living and relatively healthy lives. However, testing is still vital to understand the risk of exposure and act in time.

The HIV blood test looks for antibodies and antigens indicative of HIV infection in anyone who thinks there might have been at risk of exposure. A sample is taken in the privacy of your own home using a small amount of blood from a capillary finger stick.

HPV Screen: Human Papilloma Virus is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the UK and globally. It is estimated that around 80% of sexually active people will contract HPV at some point in their lives. The prevalence of HPV types, which are associated with the highest risk of cervical cancer, is approximately 16% among women aged 16-24 in the UK, according to Public Health England data. Vaccination programs targeting school-aged children have significantly reduced the prevalence of HPV types 16 and 18, the most common strains that are high-risk, causing approximately 70% of cervical cancers and a large proportion of other anogenital cancers (vulvar, vaginal, penile, and anal) and oropharyngeal cancers. Low risk HPV strains 6 and 11 cause about 90% of genital warts; which are benign but can cause significant emotional distress and discomfort.

Our HPV home swab test detects the presence of the virus from a swab test performed in the privacy of your home. We use the COPAN swabs that were recently reviewed in the Lancet, revealing the potential to improve cervical cancer screening rates nationally: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/eclinm/article/PIIS2589-5370(24)00251-7/fulltext