Options for Sexual Health

When should I get tested?

You can go for testing whenever you feel you might have been at risk. Treating an STI early can prevent further health complications. It's a good idea to get tested when:

1. you have symptoms (but you may have an STIs without showing any symptoms, so testing is the only way to know for sure)
2. your sexual partner has been diagnosed with an STI or has symptoms that may indicate an STI
3. you feel you have engaged in higher risk activities
4. you have started a new relationship
5. you or your partner(s) have not been tested in the last year

Where can STI tests be done?

STD/STI clinics

• Provide free, confidential testing and diagnosis for STIs and HIV, and treatment for most STIs
• HIV testing is done nonnominal which means they do not ask for care cards and accept the name the client give
• www.STDresource.com has a clinic finder that lists STD clinics in BC

Family doctors/general practitioners

• Provide free, confidential testing and diagnosis for STIs and HIV, and treatment for most STIs
• HIV testing is done only confidentially — not anonymously — which means that the client’s name is used and is therefore connected to the results

OPT clinics

• Provide free, confidential testing and diagnosis for STIs and HIV, and treatment for most STIs
• HIV testing is done only confidentially — not anonymously — which means that the client’s name is used and thus connected to the result
• Click here to find an OPT clinic near you

What kind of tests are there?

There are a variety of tests available for STIs. Although several tests can be done from one tube of blood, there is not one test that will cover all STIs. This is because some tests require urine, swabs, or specimens.

In most OPT clinics, we do not draw blood, we use urine and swab tests only.

For more information on, or to see which test would be used for a specific STI, and which tests you can request from your physican, visit STD Resource.com.