The optimal time for blood collection is inthe morning after bed rest and overnight fasting. Fasting means not eating and drinking only water after 10 p.m. the night before.

Not being sober mainly affects the determination of substances resorbed from the diet as such (glucose, triglycerides, etc.). Indirectly, lipemic samples (elevated triglycerides) can technically interfere with the determinations. A number of parameters (e.g., iron, phosphate, cortisol) also show fluctuations during the day.

STD screening can be done in men at:

• first-void urine
• urethral
• anal swab

First-void urine:

First void urine means first discharged urine (first void = first 10 to max. 20 ml). Patients should not have urinated in the last two hours before collection (so preferably morning urine = first urine when getting up). Only the first 20 ml should be collected. The rest of the urine is further urinated out in the toilet.

If first-void morning urine is not possible, urine may also be made on site provided no urination has occurred in the last 2 hours. This first-void urine (only the first 20 ml of the urine stream; rest back out in toilet) should be collected in a sterile urine container.

Urethral swab:

STD screening in men can also be done on a self-administered urethral swab. The swab should be inserted into the entrance to the urethra after which it is rotated for at least 10 seconds. Place swab back into the tube.

Anal swab:

For anal complaints, an anal swab itself may also be taken.

To do this, it is best to stand upright with one leg placed on a chair or the toilet. The anal swab should be inserted at least about four inches deep. It may help to hold the swab at that height above the tip so that your fingers touch the body if the swab was inserted deep enough. Use one hand to lift one buttock so that you have easy access to the anus. Now place the swab 4 cm into the anus. Move your fingers away from your body to get a better grip on the swab. Gently rotate the swab around for 30 seconds. Continue to make these twisting motions when removing the swab.

STD screening can be done in women must be done on a vaginal swab (NOT urine).

In women, a self-administered sample via a deep vaginal swab is sufficient. The swab should be inserted at least 2.5 cm deep. It may help to hold the swab at that height above the tip so that your fingers touch the body if the swab was inserted deep enough. After inserting the wiper, it should be swirled around for at least 15 to 30 seconds. Make sure the swab is definitely touching the vaginal wall so that the moisture present there is absorbed into the swab.