Essential Oral Sexual Health Screen9 targets, built for the throat
A PCR screen designed around the throat. It adds syphilis and candida, which matter in the mouth and throat, and leaves out the organisms that don’t. Most people have it alongside a genital screen.
- No doctor’s referral
- Results in 5 to 7 working days
- Taken by our nurse in seconds
- Walk in or book
9 targets · PCR
R1,580
At any of our three branches
payflex or 4 interest-free payments of about R395
Book a time, or just walk in
Book a time, or just walk in
The throat swab is taken by our nurse at any of our three branches. It takes seconds.
Book a time
Pick a slot that suits you, so you’re in and out quickly.
- Choose your branch and time online
- One swab at the back of the throat, taken by our nurse
- We can add an anal swab or a genital sample in the same visit
- Results emailed to you in 5 to 7 working days
Walk in
No appointment needed at Observatory, Hillcrest or Parktown North.
- No doctor’s referral and nothing to prepare
- Add HIV, syphilis and hepatitis B blood tests in the same visit, R524
- Have a genital screen in the same visit if you need one
- Same price, same lab, same results
Questions first? WhatsApp us
What does the screen cover?
Nine targets by PCR from one throat swab, chosen for the throat rather than borrowed from a genital panel.
What makes it different. Any of our sexual health panels can be swabbed at the throat, free on request. This panel is built for the site: it adds syphilis and candida and drops E. coli and trichomonas, which aren’t relevant there.
Sexually transmitted infections
Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Treponema pallidum, HSV-1, HSV-2, HPV.
Chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis by PCR, both herpes types and HPV. Throat gonorrhoea is usually silent, which is why it goes unnoticed.
Related organisms
Mycoplasma genitalium, Ureaplasma urealyticum, Candida species.
Mycoplasma and ureaplasma, plus the yeast most often behind oral thrush.
How our sexual health screens compare
Compare the oral screens with our genital screen.
| Test | What you get | Price | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essential OralThis screen | 9 sexual health targets from a throat swab | R1,580 | |
| Comprehensive Oral | Adds 7 respiratory organisms, 16 targets | R1,925 | View Comprehensive Oral → |
| Medium (genital) | 9 genital targets, a different site | R1,580 | View Medium (genital) → |
Who is this for?
After oral sex
You want the throat properly covered, not partially.
Throat symptoms
A sore throat that keeps coming back, or won’t settle.
A partner tested positive
You want every site checked, and we can swab more than one in the same visit.
Peace of mind
Throat infections are usually silent. Testing is the only way to know.
What people say
4.5 / 5 from 220 Google reviews across our three branches
Friendly and competent staff. Both at reception and the nurse. A much simpler process than going through doctors. Thank you ladies.
The staff at reception as well as the nurses are friendly and professional. I’ve also always received results timeously. I would give 10 stars if I could.
Highly highly highly recommend. The experience was painless and the practice was inviting and well kept. The report was extremely detailed and informative.
What this test does not do
- HIV, hepatitis B and the standard syphilis test are blood tests, so they are not in this screen. Add all three at a branch for R524.
- Some organisms on this panel can be present without causing problems. Finding one does not always mean you need treatment.
- If you have severe pain, a fever or feel very unwell, see a doctor or go to an emergency unit now rather than waiting for results.
- Your report is a starting point for a conversation with your doctor. Epicentre does not diagnose, treat or prescribe.
Quick answers
Our three walk-in labs
No appointment needed. Home kits can also be picked up here, or at one of our partner collection points.
Observatory
24 Lower Main Road, Observatory, Cape Town, 7925Hillcrest
2 Knelsby Avenue, Hillcrest, Durban, 3610Parktown North
2 7th Avenue, Parktown North, Johannesburg, 2193You may also be looking at
Reviewed by the Epicentre clinical team. SANAS-accredited partner laboratories. Last reviewed October 2026. Epicentre Aids Risk Management (Pty) Ltd provides diagnostic laboratory testing and does not diagnose, treat or prescribe. Results are meant to inform a conversation with a registered healthcare practitioner.
A sexual health screen built for the throat
No doctor’s referral, results in 5 to 7 working days. Book a time, or walk in to any branch.