Key Takeaways
- DCDC offers professional sample collection at home, not a self-test kit. Samples are processed in our MOHAP-licensed laboratory.
- Blood tests (HIV, syphilis, hepatitis B and C) and urine tests (chlamydia and gonorrhoea PCR) can usually be collected at home.
- Timing matters: testing too soon after exposure can give a false negative.
- If exposure was within 72 hours, ask a doctor urgently about HIV post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP); do not wait for a test.
- Home collection is AED 249 per visit, plus test prices: for example VDRL AED 149, HBsAg AED 149 and HCV AED 150, and HIV from AED 249.
Many people delay STI testing because they worry about privacy or being seen at a clinic. An STD test at home removes that barrier: a nurse collects the samples at your home, hotel or office, and the laboratory reports the results confidentially. This guide explains which tests can be done at home, when to test after an exposure, what it costs and when you should see a doctor in person instead. DCDC arranges this through its STI test at home service.
Home collection vs self-test kits
There are two very different things described as a "home STD test":
| Option | How it works | Considerations |
|---|---|---|
| Professional home collection (DCDC) | A nurse collects blood and urine at your address; samples go to a licensed laboratory | Laboratory-grade tests; results reviewed and follow-up available |
| Self-collection or self-test kits | You collect a finger-prick or swab yourself, or read a rapid test at home | Availability and approval vary by country; sampling errors are more likely; positive results still need confirmation |
DCDC provides professional sample collection and laboratory testing, not self-test kits.
Which STI tests can be collected at home?
| Infection | Sample | Price at DCDC (AED) |
|---|---|---|
| HIV 1 and 2 (4th-generation antigen/antibody) | Blood | From 249 |
| Syphilis (VDRL) | Blood | 149 |
| Hepatitis B (HBsAg) | Blood | 149 |
| Hepatitis C (anti-HCV) | Blood | 149 |
| Chlamydia and gonorrhoea (PCR) | Urine (or swab) | Priced on request |
| Herpes HSV-1/HSV-2 antibodies | Blood | Priced on request |
| Home collection fee | Per visit, not per test | 199 |
Prices from DCDC's current laboratory and home-care rates. The team confirms which samples the mobile team can collect for your request.
The STD Screen package (HIV, hepatitis B and C, syphilis and chlamydia with a doctor consultation, AED 399) is a practical bundle at the clinic; ask whether it can be collected at home for your booking.
When to test: window periods
Every infection takes time to become detectable. Testing too early is the most common reason for a misleading negative result.
| Infection | Earliest reliable testing | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Chlamydia and gonorrhoea (PCR) | About 2 weeks after exposure | Do not urinate for 1-2 hours before the urine sample |
| HIV (4th-generation test) | Detects most infections from 2-3 weeks; conclusive at 45 days | Repeat at 45 days if the first test was earlier |
| Syphilis | About 3-4 weeks | Some guidance suggests a repeat at 12 weeks |
| Hepatitis B | About 3-6 weeks; can take longer | Vaccinated people are protected |
| Hepatitis C | Antibodies may take 8-12 weeks | RNA testing can detect it earlier if needed |
| Herpes antibodies | About 12 weeks | Antibody tests cannot show where an infection is; sores are best swabbed |
Window periods from DCDC's STD testing service information and international guidance.
If the exposure was in the last 72 hours
If you think you were exposed to HIV within the last 72 hours, for example through condomless sex with a partner of unknown status or a condom break, seek medical advice immediately about post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP). PEP is a course of HIV medicines that works best the sooner it is started. Testing at this point cannot show whether you were infected, so do not wait for test results.
When you should see a doctor in person instead
- Genital, anal or mouth sores or ulcers, which may need swabs and examination
- Discharge, burning when passing urine, or pelvic or testicular pain
- Fever, rash or swollen glands after a possible exposure
- Pregnancy, or a partner who has been diagnosed with an STI
- Symptoms that persist after a negative test
Our STD test guide explains which tests suit which situations, and our STD clinic guide covers walk-in options.
Privacy and results
Samples are labelled and transported to the laboratory for processing. Most blood-based STI results are reported within about 24 hours, and PCR tests for chlamydia and gonorrhoea within 48 to 72 hours. The team confirms the expected turnaround and how results will be delivered securely before collection. Ask whether a result-review consultation is included or needs a separate booking, especially if any result is positive.
What to Expect at DCDC
- Private enquiry by phone or WhatsApp; discuss the exposure date and symptoms with the clinical team.
- Test selection based on timing and risk, with sample instructions (for example holding urine for 1-2 hours).
- Home visit: the nurse confirms identity, collects blood and urine, and labels the samples discreetly.
- Results and follow-up: a positive result is explained by a clinician, with treatment and partner testing advice.
Arrange a private STI test at home
Home collection AED 249 per visit, plus tests from AED 149. Discreet visits to homes, hotels and offices across Dubai.
Call +971 54 219 5008 or WhatsApp 971509703884. Prefer the clinic? Walk in at Building 64, Block A, Dubai Healthcare City.
Related Services at DCDC
Expert care and advanced diagnostics at Dubai Healthcare City
Frequently Asked Questions
Make testing easy enough to actually do
Home collection makes regular STI testing simpler and more private. The key is choosing the right tests and timing them correctly after any exposure.
If you have symptoms, are pregnant or had a possible HIV exposure in the last 72 hours, speak to a doctor first rather than relying on a home test alone.
Sources & References
This article references the following sources:
- CDC - Sexually Transmitted Infections Treatment Guidelines, 2021
- WHO - Sexually transmitted infections fact sheet
- CDC - HIV Testing: window periods
- NHS - Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP)
- BASHH - UK national guidelines on STI testing
This information is educational and does not replace individual medical advice. See our editorial policy for more information.
Written by
DCDC Editorial Team
Patient education
Patient information from Doctors Clinic Diagnostic Center in Dubai Healthcare City, based on the medical references listed with this article. This guide supports discussion with your clinician and does not provide an individual diagnosis.
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