You have an appointment date and time to attend a Sexual Health Clinic. Please be aware of the following:

• Clinic services and hours are reduced to limit client-client and client-staff interaction and maintaining proper distancing. 
• To ensure safety for everyone attending our clinic, please do not arrive any sooner than 10 minutes BEFORE your appointment time. 
• We have enhanced cleaning in all our clinic locations to help stop the spread!

Your appointment is for Sexually Transmitted or Bloodborne Infection (STBBI) testing?

The following tests maybe offered:

For Chlamydia or Gonorrhea:

• Vaginal/Penis:  A small urine sample is provided by you.  NOTE: You should not urinate for one hour before the test.
• Alternatively, if symptoms are present swabs may be required.
• Cervical: A swab is inserted into the vagina and a sample of secretions is taken from the cervix.
• Urethral/penis:  A swab is inserted into the urethra and a sample of secretions is taken.
• Throat and rectum:  Swabs are taken from the throat and/or rectum.
  

For Syphiliis and/or Hepatitis A and/or Hepatitis B and/or Hepatitis C:

• MOH Lab testing:  A sample of blood is taken from your vein.  Blood tests may need to be repeated,k or follow-up blood tests may be necessary to assist in diagnosis.

For HIV:

• We currently offer two ways to have an HIV test in some of our clinics. Both tests include pre- and post-counselling.
• HIV testing can also be completed anonymously, whereby a serial number is assigned to you and will not be linked to any other records you may have in our SHC.
• Rapid on-site testing:  The Public Health Nurse (PHN) takes a drop of blood by pricking your finger. The PHN will test it in the clinic while you wait, and you get your results within 10-20 minutes.
• MOH Lab testing: the PHN will take a sample of blood from your vein and send it to an Ontario Ministry of Health lab. The PHN will get the results back often within five to ten days.
  
  

Our Public Health Nurses (PHNs) can help determine which STBBI tests are best for you based on an individual risk assessment during your appointment. We do recommend that if a partner is diagnosed with a Sexually Transmitted OR Bloodborne Infection (STBBI), you should be tested and treated also.

Your appointment is an alternative appointment (birth control, emergency contraception, pregnancy testing and counselling)?

We may offer the following testing:

Pregnancy Testing:  

• Vaginal:  A small urine sample is provided by you and tested onsite by the PHN.  NOTE: You should not urinate for one hour before the test.
• MOH Lab testing: A sample of blood is taken from your vein. A requisition will be provided for you to have this done at a local lab. Follow-up will be arranged with the PHN at your appointment.

For Chlamydia or Gonorrhea:

• Vaginal/Penis:  A small urine sample is provided by you. NOTE: You should not urinate for one hour before the test.

• Alternatively, if symptoms are present swabs may be required:
• Cervical: A swab is inserted into the vagina and a sample of secretions is taken from the cervix.
• Urethral/penis: A swab is inserted into the urethra and a sample of secretions is taken.
• Throat and rectum: Swabs are taken from the throat and/or rectum.

Testing for syphilis, HIV and/or Hepatitis A/B/C may be deferred to another time depending on assessment completed by PHN.

Our Public Health Nurses (PHNs) can help determine if STBBI tests are needed based on an individual risk assessment during your appointment.