Don’t be ashamed about getting tested for STIs. You may have an STI and not even know you’re infected. So could your partner. All sexually active guys and girls need to get tested. Choosing to respect yourself and your partner means taking responsibility for your health – and that means getting tested if you are sexually active.

STI testing in the Nunavut is free and confidential. You can contact your local Health Centre or Public Health Office.

Get it done now

Getting tested is the only way to know for sure if you have an STI. Once you know you have an STI, you can get treatment which will keep you healthy and protect your partners. Getting treatment early also helps to resolve your symptoms and/or infection more quickly and ensure the best results from treatment. Finding out early if you have an STI like syphilis, chlamydia and gonorrhea is very important to your long-term health and well-being. If you are sexually active, get tested. Make sure that your partners are getting tested regularly too.

Be open and honest

When you go for STI testing, it is important to be completely honest with your nurse or doctor. Remember, you’re in a safe and confidential environment when you get tested, so don’t be afraid to tell the truth about your number of sex partners and any unsafe sexual activity you’ve participated in. If you’re a girl, say whether you’re on some sort of prescription birth control. You should also talk about any pain or soreness you’re experiencing in your pelvic area, as well as any strange discharges, rashes, or sores. If you have any questions about sex, your health care provider is a great person to ask. They have lots of knowledge and will answer your questions in a non-judgmental way.

Exam Needed

The next step for STI testing is usually a physical exam. Your nurse or doctor will do a quick overall examination to look for any visible signs of infection. Special attention will be given to areas where infection is most likely to occur: genitals, eyes, mouth and nose. Tell your nurse or doctor if you have had anal sex (oral or intercourse) before. There are four types of tests used to diagnose STIs:

• Blood Tests involve taking a small amount of blood with a needle and sending it to a lab for analysis. Hepatitis, herpes, HIV and syphilis are all STIs that can be diagnosed by a blood test.
• Urine Testing is a simple and painless procedure. You’ll simply pee into a small container and give it to your health care provider or lab technician. Chlamydia and gonorrhea are STIs that can be diagnosed by a urine test.
• Visual Testing can be used to diagnose genital warts, pubic lice (crabs) and scabies.
• Swab Testing uses a cotton-tipped swab that is dipped or smeared into fluids, discharges or secretions from the cervix, urethra, rectum, throat or mouth. The swab is then sent to a lab for analysis. Swab tests are used to diagnose Chlamydia, gonorrhea, herpes, HIV, HPV, syphilis and trichomonas.