Testing for STI's is free of charge at the Health Unit.

URINE TEST:

Chlamydia and Gonorrhea can be detected in males and females through a simple urine sample.  Urine must be in the bladder for more than 1 hour before the sample can be given.  This test will pick up Chlamydia or Gonorrhea within 24 hours after being exposed.  Urine testing in females is considered a little less accurate than the swab test.

SWAB TEST:

Swabs are taken for Chlamydia and Gonorrhea, mostly in females. If a blister sore or lesion is present, a swab can be taken to confirm Herpes Type 1 or Type 2.  In the early stage of syphilis individuals will have a painless sore that would also warrant a swab test.

BLOOD TEST:

HIV, Hepatitis B & C and Syphilis is diagnosed through a blood test. 

HIV will show up in the blood 12 weeks after the exposure to the virus.   Getting tested before the 3-6 month window period may not provide you with an accurate test result for HIV.  HIV is most often done through the Anonymous Testing Program.

Hepatitis B & C may take up to 3 months as well before they are detected in a blood test.

Syphilis will not be detected until 1-4 weeks after the appearance of the sore or 6 weeks after exposure.

PAP Test:

All women who are or have been sexually active should consider having a pap test.  A women’s first PAP test should occur within 3 years after the first vaginal, oral, or digital (fingers inserted into the vagina) sexual activity. Women who have never been sexually active should have their first pap by 25 years of age.

A specimen is taken from the cervix to screen for abnormal changes to cells on the cervix which may be caused from the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) more commonly known as the genital wart virus.

Genital Wart Test:

Genital warts are diagnosed by a visual exam from a doctor.  A colposcopy is done for visible warts on a women’s cervix.  This procedure is not done at the Health Unit.

Treatment for Sexually Transmitted Infections

Bacterial STI’S:

Chlamydia, Gonorrhea and Syphilis can be cured by taking an antibiotic.  These medications are provided free of charge at the Health Unit if you are a client or have a valid prescription from your family doctor.

Viral STI’S:

There is no cure for Herpes, Genital Warts, HIV and Hepatitis but there are medications available to control these infections.

Herpes is treated with anti-viral medications such as Famvir, Valtrex or Acyclovir.   These medications help to speed the healing process and lessen the severity of a herpes outbreak.  They also work to reduce future outbreaks and transmission to a partner.  These medications can be expensive for those individuals who do not have a drug plan.

Visible genital warts are most often treated with liquid nitrogen (dry ice).  Several weekly treatments may be necessary in order for this treatment to be successful.  Even though the warts may disappear with this treatment, they may grow back as there is no cure.  Aldara is cream is another treatment for genital warts in which the client can apply to affected areas.  You need a prescription from a doctor and the cost is very expensive for those with no drug plan. Laser surgery is done for more extensive warts that are large, don’t respond to treatment and/or are internal.  This surgery is not performed at the Health Unit.  We would refer the client to a specialist.

HIV and Hepatitis treatment should be managed by a specialist.