Mistr is a telehealth platform focused on HIV prevention and sexual health, and its testing covers HIV, chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis. The service sends at-home test kits directly to you, so there’s no need for a clinic visit. Most users access Mistr through its PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) program, where regular STI screening is built into the care cycle.
The Core Testing Panel
Mistr’s standard panel screens for four sexually transmitted infections: HIV, chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis. These are the same infections the CDC requires monitoring for anyone taking PrEP, with testing repeated every three months. HIV screening uses a 4th generation test, which detects both the virus itself and the antibodies your body produces in response to it. This combination approach catches infections earlier than older antibody-only tests.
For PrEP users, Mistr also monitors kidney function. Oral PrEP medications can affect the kidneys over time, so bloodwork to check kidney health is part of the routine lab panel at initiation and periodically after that.
How Sample Collection Works
The testing kit arrives at your home and uses a simple finger-prick blood collection. You prick your finger, apply blood to a collection card, label it with your name, date of birth, and the date and time of collection, then mail it back to the lab using the included materials. The blood sample covers HIV, syphilis, and kidney function testing.
STI screening for chlamydia and gonorrhea typically requires additional sample types beyond blood, since these infections can occur at different body sites. Depending on your risk profile and sexual history, your provider may guide you on what samples to collect as part of your kit.
How Long Results Take
Once the lab receives your samples, results are typically ready within two to three business days. You’ll get an email notification when they’re available, and you can view them securely through your Mistr profile online. If anything comes back positive, the platform connects you with a licensed provider to discuss next steps and treatment options.
Cost and Access
Mistr offers HIV testing for free for most users, with no out-of-pocket cost, no insurance paperwork, and no clinic visit required. The service includes a consultation with a licensed provider as part of the package, so you’re not just getting a test kit in the mail and figuring it out alone. A clinician reviews your results and manages your care remotely.
For people on PrEP, the every-three-month testing schedule aligns with prescription refills. PrEP prescriptions are written for no more than 90 days at a time, and a new HIV test is required before each refill. Mistr handles this cycle automatically, sending new kits and scheduling follow-ups so you stay on track without needing to remember appointment dates or visit a clinic in person.
Who Mistr Testing Is Designed For
Mistr primarily serves men who have sex with men and others at higher risk for HIV who are using or considering PrEP. The platform bundles STI testing with PrEP management into a single service, which removes several barriers that keep people from getting tested regularly: clinic stigma, scheduling hassles, and cost. If you’re not on PrEP but want standalone STI testing, Mistr’s model may still work for you, though the service is most fully built around PrEP care.
The testing panel covers the most common and clinically significant STIs for sexually active adults, but it does not include screening for infections like herpes, HPV, or hepatitis. If you need broader screening, you may need to supplement with testing from another provider or clinic.