What to expect from an STI screening appointment

STI screening is one of the services patients most often ask about before booking, usually because they are uncertain about the process, the level of confidentiality, or exactly what the panel covers. The appointment itself is straightforward, and the process from booking to results is designed to be as private as possible.

What the comprehensive STI panel covers ¶

The STI comprehensive panel at Cedar Pulse Lab tests for chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis, HIV (using a 4th generation antigen/antibody combination test), hepatitis B surface antigen, and hepatitis C antibody. All markers are collected from a single blood draw. No urine sample or swab is required for this panel, though patients who have specific symptoms or exposures may want to discuss additional testing with their physician.

Individual tests are also available if you only need to check one or two markers. Call or email before booking and we can confirm which combination makes sense.

Confidentiality and how results are delivered ¶

Results from the STI panel are delivered exclusively through the secure patient portal. They are not sent by post, left as a voicemail, or emailed as an attachment. You receive a notification that results are ready, and you log in with your own credentials to view them. The portal is password-protected and results are not accessible to anyone else.

The lab does not contact your family physician or any third party with your results unless you specifically request it in writing. If you would like a copy sent to your physician, you can authorise that through the portal.

Timing and window periods ¶

The accuracy of STI tests depends on when they are collected relative to a potential exposure. HIV 4th generation tests are reliable from approximately 18-45 days after exposure. Syphilis antibody tests are generally reliable from 3-6 weeks after exposure. Chlamydia and gonorrhoea can be detected from around 1-2 weeks after exposure.

If you are testing shortly after a potential exposure and are within the window period for any marker, the result summary will note this recommend a follow-up test at an appropriate interval. We will not release a result without flagging a relevant window period concern.

No referral is required to book the STI panel. If you have questions about which markers to include or about the window period for a specific exposure, call us before your appointment.