What does an STI test involve?
Testing is easy and quick. A STI check-up begins with a nurse or doctor talking to you about your sexual history.
The nurse or doctor will ask you some questions about your sexual practices to find out which parts of your body could have been
exposed to an STI. This helps them decide what tests are needed.
An STI check up for someone who doesn't have any signs or symptoms involves:
-A blood sample to check for HIV, syphilis and Hepatitis B and C
-A urine sample to check for Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea
These tests are recommended for someone who doesn't have any symptoms. Even if you don't have any symptoms, it is possible to
have an STI and pass on the infection. Testing is the only way to know for sure.
If you've had anal sex, your health care provider can do an anal swab to check for chlamydia and gonorrhoea.
Chlamydia and gonorrhoea are very common in Saskatoon. If a test shows that you have either of these infections, they can
be cured with one dose of antibiotics.
Women who are sexually active should have a PAP test done every year. A PAP test involves your health care provider taking
a swab of your cervix, which is found just inside your vagina. This swab will be tested for any changes that could develop into cervical
cancer. These changes are caused by the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). We want to find these changes so that we can stop
them before they turn into cancer.
If you've noticed any lesions, bumps, rashes or discomfort in the genital area, your health care provider will inspect the genital
area to check for herpes and genital warts. It is possible for you to have either of these infections without any visible symptoms,
in which case your health care provider won't be able to detect them.
If you're a male who has noticed discharge from the end of your penis, your health care provider can take a swab to test for
chlamydia and gonorrhoea. The swab is smaller than a Q-Tip, and just used at the opening of the urethra (the tip of the penis).
If you have engaged in oral sex and are experiencing a sore throat, we can do a throat swab to test for gonorrhoea.
Your health care provider will recommend that you be tested for any STIs that you could be at risk for, but you have the right to refuse
any test that you feel uncomfortable with.