Getting tested for STD’s revisited:

Getting tested for STD’s revisited:

We have seen this in the forum under an old thread, but thought it would be worthwhile to do a quick review.

• We recommend routine screening every 3-6 months depending on how many contacts you and your partners have.

• If you are experiencing any symptoms get tested right away.

• It is common for people to have no symptoms when they have an STD.

• Testing done will depend on the type of sexual contact you had.

The most common tests for an STD check up if you have no symptoms include:

Male:

Gonorrhea:

• Tested from the penis if it has been in a vagina, mouth or anus.
• Tested from the throat or anus if a penis has been inside.

Chlamydia:

• Tested from the penis if it has been in a vagina, mouth or anus.

Female:

Gonorrhea:

• Tested from the vagina, throat or anus if a penis has been inside.

Chlamydia:

• Tested from the vagina if a penis has been inside.

Trichomonas:

• Tested from the vagina if a penis has been inside.

Both:

• Blood tests are done for syphilis, HIV & Hepatitis.
• If you have been vaccinated for hepatitis B (3 shots over 6 months) you do not need to be tested for it.


Sex toys can also be a way of spreading STD’s if there are body fluids on the toy.

After a sexual contact the time it takes for the test to be accurate depends on the type of infection:

Gonorrhea and chlamydia: (swab or urine sample) would show up after one week in a test.

Syphilis: (blood test) usually positive by 6 wks but can take as long as 3 months.

HIV: (blood test) 97% of people test positive within 3 months and everyone within 6 months.

Hepatitis B: (blood Test) usually positive by 3 months but can take as long as 6 months.


Where to get tested:

The following link lists health care providers in BC who specialize in STD testing. STD testing is free in these clinics and many offer anonymous testing.

www.stdresource.com/clinics/index.php

STD testing can be done at any doctor’s office or clinic.


Let us know if you need any more information regarding testing.


HN
www.stdresource.com

Thanks for the comments.

Instant result testing:
They do not have any instant tests available for gonorrhea, chlamydia or syphilis. As mentioned you can call in for these results if tested at one of the STD clinics. Some doctor’s offices require you to come in for all results.

There is a rapid HIV test that has been developed by a Richmond company and has just been approved by Health Canada. Their web site is:

http://www.biolytical.com/

I understand what you mean in regard to the problem of having to arrange two appointments and hopefully these will be on the market in the next few months. I will let you know when our clinics start using them.



Confidential vs. Anonymous
Confidentiality basically means that your health care provider can not disclose any information regarding what you have disclosed with them or your test results. If they do there can be large fines and prison sentences. Under certain circumstances they have to break confidentiality for e.g. you stated you were going to kill someone etc... All health professionals are required to practice in a confidential manner.

Non-nominal testing (you just use your initials or other indicators) can be provided at your doctor’s office for HIV testing only. This means that you will use your health care card (so you do not need to pay) but if you tested positive only the information provided on the test will be provided to the medical health officer or the public health nurse following the case.

Anonymous testing can be provided at the STD clinics were you do not need your health care card. You can use a different name while at the clinic; they prefer you to use your real first name and an initial.

A question was asked on how you could get a prescription if you had tested anonymously. If it is an infection such as gonorrhea, Chlamydia or syphilis they will usually have medication they can give you on the spot. If it needs a prescription e.g. herpes medication they will just write your real name on the prescription.

In regard to the question:

“Is it possible to get a test result and not tell ANYONE, not even your doctor, the results of the tests?”

It is not possible to get a test result that the health professional who ordered the test would not see. If you do not feel comfortable seeing your family doctor you can always come to one of the STD clinics.

Comments are welcome and please feel free to ask for any clarification. If you do not want to add to the thread just send me a PM.

Also have a look at the "What should I expect?"section on our web site in reagrd to testing.

http://www.stdresource.com/concern/c1_b_2.php


Thanks

HN
www.stdresource.com

felixb said:

Hello nurse, is that rapid HIV test available yet?
Is it available to general public to purchase? ( I doubt but they could see massive sales I'd think)

Click to expand...

Hi felixb

The rapid HIV test is available for sale in Canada. The only problem is that clinics are not purchasing it.

Here is one doctor who is offering the test in North Vancouver

Dr.Minesh Naran:
Suite Number 218,
1940 Lonsdale,
North Vancouver V7M2K2
Tel: 604-986-4214

The general public cannot purchase the test. The approved use is for HIV screening at the point-of-care by health-care professionals where appropriate HIV counseling is available

Let us know if you want us to expand on a topic. Remember if you would like to ask me a personal question just send me a PM.

HN
www.stdresource.com

felixb said:

Just wanted to let everybody know that if you don't have any symptoms the standard test is only a urine sample (guys no more swab down the urethra!)

Also since recently we no longer need to book another appointment to get the HIV result in person. They will give you the results for HIV and the other tests at the same time when you phone in for your results.

Click to expand...

Hi felixb

Thanks for reminding the guys that in most cases they just need a urine test. I still talk with some men who put off STI testing because they think they will get a big swab inserted in their urethra (pee tube).

Our main clinic at 655 W12th ave in Vancouver will give you HIV results over the phone. Our Bute street clinic still has the policy that you need to come in to get your HIV results.

HN

westcoast555 said:

I'm refraining from giving any medical opinions as requested by mods but I think it's worth noting that you can pay extra for a Herpes test. They'll test for Herpes I and II antibodies so you at least know if you've been exposed to the virus even if asymptomatic. They told me that most people will test positive for type 1 ( the cold sore one ) and that from there they'll see if you also have type 2 antibodies.

The test does cost money but worth knowing.

Also, I didn't know this... if you provide ID in the beginning when you get tested and if you come in for your results and show ID again, you can get a paper printout of your test results.

Click to expand...

Hi westcoast555

Thanks for mentioning the changes to printed results and herpes blood testing.

To get a printed result we have a new policy where you need to show photo ID when you get your test and again when you come to pick up the results.

There is also a blood test for herpes simplex virus (HSV). HSV-TSS is a type specific test, which means it will tell you if you have HSV type 1 or HSV type 2 or both or neither. It can not tell you where the infection is on your body or how long you have had it for. As this is an expensive test it will only be covered for free under the following conditions.

• if there is a history of recurring genital lesions where attempts to demonstrate the virus by culture are negative
• asymptomatic patients who have a partner with a history of genital herpes
• patients who have HIV or have sexual partners with HIV infection
• pregnant women with unknown HSV status and a partner with a history of genital herpes

If you do not qualify for the free HSV-TSS you can still get it done at Lifelabs (http://www.lifelabs.com/Lifelabs_BC/) who charge $130. You will need to get a doctor to fill out the requisition form for you.

HN