Adelaide Sexual Health Centre
Adelaide Sexual Health Centre provides free, confidential, specialist sexual health services. Get advice, testing and treatment for all sexually transmitted infections.
The following information provides guidance on specimen collection in females. See also Techniques for specimen collection when testing males for STIs
Note: NAAT refers to Nucleic Acid Amplification Test, such as NAAT
Samples are taken during speculum examination.
A Cervical screening test is taken first if due or indicated.
From the lateral vaginal wall with a cotton tipped swab:
From the posterior fornix with a cotton tipped swab for:
Sample for chlamydia and gonorrhoea NAAT in asymptomatic female using cotton tipped swab and transported in a container provided by the lab.
These are taken if clinically indicated.
Proctoscopy should be performed to inspect for lumps, ulcers, pus, bleeding and specimen collection.
Swabs are taken for:
These are taken routinely in sex workers and samples are collected.
Swabs are taken from each tonsillar fossa for:
Can be performed if no endocervical swabs are available and samples: