Overview

These guidelines show which tests we recommend during an asymptomatic STI checkup. 

Take a history

A patient’s risk for STIs depends on sexualpractices.. It is important to ask specific questions about sexual history and practices to determine risk and to guide testing. It is not helpful to make assumptions. Always ask about sexual practices to guide testing.

Taking a sexual history: Australian STI Management Guidelines

Organise testing

Use the information in the table below to determine which STI tests you may need to organise for your patient.

Quick testing tips
Patient Tests

Men who have sex with men (MSM) (cisgender)

Always encourage MSM who are having receptive anal sex then to have anal swabs as asymptomatic rectal gonorrhoea and chlamydia are common. Rectal swabs can be self-collected.*

  • First pass urine: chlamydia and gonorrhoea PCR
  • Serology: HIV, syphilis, Hep A & B. Add Hep C if injecting drug user
  • Rectal swab: chlamydia and gonorrhoea PCR
  • Throat swab: chlamydia and gonorrhoea PCR

Men who have sex with women (cisgender)
  • First pass urine: chlamydia and gonorrhoea PCR
  • Serology: HIV, syphilis, Hep B. Add Hep C if injecting drug user
Women(cisgender)

Self collected high vaginal swab can be done instead of first pass urine.

  • First pass urine: chlamydia and gonorrhoea PCR
  • Serology: HIV, syphilis, Hep B. Add Hep C if injecting drug user
Transgender men

Ask about sexual behaviour and test accordingly. If having receptive anal sex then rectal swabs are recommended. Self-collected high vaginal swab and first pass urine are both suitable options.

  • First pass urine: chlamydia and gonorrhoea PCR
  • Serology: HIV, syphilis, Hep A & B. Add Hep C if injecting drug user
  • Rectal swab: chlamydia and gonorrhoea PCR
  • Throat swab: chlamydia and gonorrhoea PCR
Transgender women

Ask about sexual behaviour and test accordingly. If having receptive anal sex then rectal swabs are recommended.

  • First pass urine: chlamydia and gonorrhoea PCR
  • Serology: HIV, syphilis, Hep A & B. Add Hep C if injecting drug user
  • Rectal swab: chlamydia and gonorrhoea PCR
  • Throat swab: chlamydia and gonorrhoea PCR
Non-binary people

Ask about sexual behaviour and test accordingly. If having receptive anal sex then rectal swabs are recommended.

  • First pass urine: chlamydia and gonorrhoea PCR
  • Serology: HIV, syphilis, Hep A & B. Add Hep C if injecting drug user
  • Rectal swab: chlamydia and gonorrhoea PCR
  • Throat swab: chlamydia and gonorrhoea PCR
  • If an MSM is not having receptive anal sex with rectal swabs are optional.