What are the recommended screening guidelines for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in asymptomatic patients?

Recommended screening guidelines for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in asymptomatic patients:

• Offer a full sexual health screen including tests for chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis, HIV, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C, as people at risk of one STI are often at risk of others. This full screen should be recommended especially for those at higher risk ¹.
• Provide a range of testing options including remote self-sampling kits, in-person attendance at specialist clinics, community pharmacies, primary care, and outreach services to improve uptake and accessibility for asymptomatic individuals ².
• Remote self-sampling should be offered as an alternative to clinic attendance for people without symptoms, with kits testing for the same infections as clinic-based tests ².
• Ensure self-sampling kits meet accessibility standards and are inclusive, addressing the needs of trans and gender-diverse people and those with learning difficulties ².
• Screening for syphilis in primary care is recommended for people who decline referral to specialist services, but interpretation of positive results requires specialist advice ¹.
• HIV testing should be routinely offered as part of STI screening, with emphasis on confidentiality and clear referral pathways for positive results ³.
• Testing should be tailored to individual risk factors and local epidemiology, avoiding assumptions and using inclusive, non-judgemental language ².