A clinic staff (a doctor, nurse, or nurse practitioner) will ask you about your general and sexual health. This assessment may include questions about your symptoms, sexual contact, and use of medications and other substances. 

Based on this assessment, the doctor, nurse, or nurse practitioner will discuss with you what tests you need.

The STI tests might include:

• Urine test
• Blood test
• Swabs from your penis, throat, and/or anus
• A swab of a lesion, ulcer, or sore (if you have one)
• A visual exam of the genital area

Here’s a bit more about each type of test:

1. Swabs: A cotton swab is wiped over the parts of the body where you may have an infection. These areas can include the penis, throat or rectum. Taking the swab may be slightly uncomfortable, but should not be painful. If you have any lesions, ulcers, or sores in the genital area, the doctor or nurse practitioner might swab these as well.
2. Urine test: It is important not to have urinated during an hour before providing a urine sample. The sample is tested for chlamydia and gonorrhea.
3. Blood test: You do not need to fast for the blood work. The sample is used to test for HIV, syphilis and hepatitis.

All samples are sent to a laboratory for testing. It can take 1 to 2 weeks for us to receive all the results. 

We will call you ONLY if there is an infection or if a follow-up is needed.

If you want to access your results, please visits us during our clinic hours (Thursdays 5 to 8PM).

If you have any questions about your results, please call us at the main Sexual Health Clinic at 613-234-4641.

If you test positive for any STI, we will call and inform you of the positive test result, and ask you to return to clinic if a follow-up is needed.

STIs can be treated as follows:

• Chlamydia is treated with antibiotics. Azithromycin or Doxycycline are most commonly used. Different medications are available if you are allergic to both medications.
• Gonorrhea: is treated with antibiotics. The treatment usually involves Azithromycin and Ceftriaxone. Different treatment options are available if you have allergies to these medications.
• HIV: is managed with antiretroviral medications. If you test positive for HIV, we will refer you to an HIV specialist to help manage your health.
• Syphilis: is treated with an antibiotic injection of penicillin (Bicillin). Different medications are available if you are allergic to Penicillin.
• Genital herpes: is treated with antiviral medications. There is no cure for herpes, but the medications can help symptoms go away more quickly.
• Genital warts: the treatment depends on the assessment. You may be treated in clinic with liquid nitrogen, or referred to a specialist if needed.