Rectal and Oral Gonorrhea/Chlamydia

Instructions and background on completing your own testing can be found below. We do not recommend completing self-swabs if you do not feel comfortable or have no prior experience.

If you have ordered your own rectal and pharyngeal swabs for testing, it is imperative that you first feel comfortable testing on your own, and follow the instructions below carefully. Patient self-sampling has been demonstrated in studies to be effective as a screening measure and can help reduce the burden of gonorrhea and chlamydia in the community.

When you order a rectal/pharyngeal swab:

  1. TeleTest will ship you a package containing a pair of rectal and pharyngeal swabs to your address provided. PLEASE ENSURE THE DATE OF BIRTH YOU REGISTERED WITH IS CORRECT. The swabs will take between 3-7 business days (depending on where you are in Ontario) to arrive at your home. You can complete any urine testing and bloodwork while you are waiting for the swabs to arrive. Swabs arrive in Amazon packaging.

  2. Once the swabs arrive, please follow the instructions below and proceed to the laboratory with the swabs. Keep the swabs between 2°-30°C and take them immediately to the laboratory for processing. The public lab you selected will have a requisition awaiting.

  3. Please label the swab itself with the name/date-of-birth/site sticker included in the kit. The lab will not process an unlabelled sample.

  4. Rectal and pharyngeal swabs are only recommended if you have had unprotected rectal or oral intercourse with a partner whose status is unknown, or if you are concerned about recent exposure.

  5. Once public health releases the results, they will be uploaded to our portal for your review.

PLEASE USE THE WOVEN-TIPPED SWAB FOR ALL TESTING (rectal and pharyngeal). Do NOT USE the Flocked Swab or the sample will be rejected by public health.

Roche Cobas Throat and Rectal Swab Packet - Two packages will be couriered to your home address

RECTAL SWAB SPECIMEN COLLECTION

  1. Before proceeding, read the patient information and general instructions.

  2. Partially peel open the swab package as shown in Diagram 1. Remove the swab.

  3. Do not touch the soft tip or lay the swab down. If the soft tip is touched, the swab is laid down, or the swab is dropped, request a new Aptima Multitest Swab Specimen Collection Kit.

  4. Hold the swab as shown in Diagram 2, placing your thumb and forefinger in the middle of the swab shaft covering the scoreline. Do not hold the swab shaft below the scoreline.

  5. Carefully insert the swab into your rectum about 1-2 inches (3-5 cm) past the anal margin (the outside of the anus) and gently rotate the swab for 5 to 10 seconds as shown in Diagram 3.

  6. Withdraw the swab without touching your skin.

  7. While holding the swab in the same hand, unscrew the cap from the tube as shown in Diagram 4. Do not spill the contents of the tube. If the contents of the tube are spilled, use a new Aptima Multitest Swab Specimen Collection Kit.

  8. Immediately place the swab into the transport tube so that the scoreline is at the top of the tube as shown in Diagram 5.

  9. Carefully break the swab shaft at the scoreline against the side of the tube as shown in Diagram 6.

  10. Immediately discard the top portion of the swab shaft as shown in Diagram 7.

  11. Tightly screw the cap onto the tube as shown in Diagram 8. Return the tube as instructed by your health-care provider.

THROAT SWAB SPECIMEN COLLECTION

  1. Before proceeding, read the patient information and general instructions above.

  2. Partially peel open the swab package as shown in Diagram 1. Remove the swab.

  3. Do not touch the soft tip or lay the swab down.

  4. If the soft tip is touched, the swab is laid down, or the swab is dropped, request a new Aptima Multitest Swab Specimen Collection Kit.

  5. Hold the swab as shown in Diagram 2, placing your thumb and forefinger in the middle of the swab shaft covering the scoreline. Do not hold the swab shaft below the scoreline.

  6. Carefully insert the swab into your mouth as shown in Diagram 3, ensuring contact with bilateral tonsils (the tonsils on both sides of your mouth, unless your tonsils have been removed)

  7. While holding the swab in the same hand, unscrew the cap from the tube as shown in Diagram 4. Do not spill the contents of the tube. If the contents of the tube are spilled, use a new Aptima Multitest Swab Specimen Collection Kit.

  8. Immediately place the swab into the transport tube so that the scoreline is at the top of the tube as shown in Diagram 5.

  9. Carefully break the swab shaft at the scorelineTightly screw the cap onto the tube as shown in Diagram 8. Return the tube as instructed by your healthcare provider. against the side of the tube as shown in Diagram 6.

  10. Immediately discard the top portion of the swab shaft as shown in Diagram 7.

Common Questions

I noticed a delay between submitting my sample and when Public Health received it. Are swab samples still valid if not refrigerated before reaching the lab?

Yes, once you submit the sample at labs like LifeLabs, Dynacare, or Alpha Labs, the oral and anal swabs for Chlamydia and Gonorrhea testing are transported to Public Health Lab (PHL) for processing. Public Health Ontario has confirmed that swab samples are shelf stable at room temperature once collected, so refrigeration is not necessary before lab processing.

How long are my swab samples valid after sample collection?

Specimens should be stored at 2°C to 30°C after collection. Samples collected in unexpired Roche cobas® PCR Media remain stable for up to 12 months from the date of collection. However, it is recommended to transport specimens to the laboratory as soon as possible after collection.

Can the lab refuse my sample if more than 7 days have passed since collection?

No, they should not refuse the sample for that reason. Specimens collected in Roche cobas® PCR Media are stable for up to 12 months from the date of collection if stored at 2°C to 30°C.

Why was my STD swab kit order refunded?

At TeleTest, we offer two types of STD swab kits:

  • Swab Kit (Subscription Required) – available with Standard or Express Shipping

  • Swab Kit (Anal & Oral Swabs) – available with Standard or Express Shipping

If you selected the Swab Kit (Subscription Required) without having an active STD subscription, your order will be reviewed and refunded. This kit is only available as an add-on for patients with an active STD subscription.

If you do not have an active STD subscription, please select the Swab Kit (Anal & Oral Swabs) with your preferred shipping option.

Resources

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/313247601_Self-taken_pharyngeal_and_rectal_swabs_are_appropriate_for_the_detection_of_Chlamydia_trachomatis_and_Neisseria_gonorrhoeae_in_asymptomatic_men_who_have_sex_with_men

www.researchgate.net

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/26681625_High_Performance_and_Acceptability_of_Self-Collected_Rectal_Swabs_for_Diagnosis_of_Chlamydia_trachomatis_and_Neisseria_gonorrhoeae_in_Men_Who_Have_Sex_With_Men_and_Women

www.researchgate.net

https://www.publichealthontario.ca/en/Laboratory-Services/Test-Information-Index/Chlamydia-trachomatis-NAAT-Swabs

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