Getting STI tested
You're an adult, and chances are you're not a virgin. Chances are, you've taken sex education in school by this point, and are pretty smart. You don't need to be told that sexually transmitted infections are bad, and hazardous to your health in later life, and some have very few visible symptoms. Who knows? You could have one even now, reading this article.
You may also already know that though condoms are a smart idea, they aren't always enough to protect against STIs — you should get tested to ensure your safety before getting into a new sexual relationship, and again a few months later. What you may not know, though, is how to get tested here in London, and what to expect when you do.
The Middlesex-London Health Unit is located downtown at 50 King St., where King meets Ridout St. N. The STI clinic is located on the first floor, near the entrance, and operates on a drop-in basis. No health card is necessary, testing and treatment for STIs is free of charge.
The clinic is open from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays, and from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on Fridays. Show up a bit early, though — for example, if you were to arrive at 4:30 p.m. on a Wednesday, you could enter and begin the process, likely leaving much sooner than otherwise.
Upon entering you're required to take a number, and soon you'll be registered at the desk. Before long, a nurse will call you in for a confidential interview about your medical and sexual history (both recent and long-term) and lead you with instruction to a private restroom to provide a urine sample.
The clinic tests both urine and blood for a number of STIs, including chlamydia, gonorrhea, trichomonas, hepatitis, syphilis, and HIV. Some of these are easily tested with the urine sample you provide, but for the rest they need a blood sample. Unless you indicate that you are interested in a physical examination (perhaps due to a concern of genital bumps or herpes), no one will ask you to remove your clothes.
So after another short wait, you're led into the exam room and met by a doctor who takes your blood. While doing so, the doctor provides information on the testing process and reminds you that the results will be back in about a week. This is largely due to the blood test — the urine test comes back much faster — but as this is the test that screens for the weightier of the STIs, it's not an unreasonable period.
The doctor will also remind you that the STI clinic will only contact you by phone at the number you provide if they have need to see you again. If your tests come back clean, they won't contact with you at all, so feel free to assume that you have nothing to worry about if you haven't heard from them within ten days. Follow up with them yourself if you have any concerns.
The clinic also offers emergency contraception and pregnancy tests if needed, and has a lot of printed information to further educate you on your sexual health and wellbeing. Most importantly, don't be afraid to be honest and ask all of the questions that you have; everyone working at the clinic is very patient and informative.
For more information on the Middlesex-London Health Unit or the STI clinic, visit their website (healthunit.com) or call 519-663-5317. Information is readily available online at sexualityandu.ca.
You may also already know that though condoms are a smart idea, they aren't always enough to protect against STIs — you should get tested to ensure your safety before getting into a new sexual relationship, and again a few months later. What you may not know, though, is how to get tested here in London, and what to expect when you do.
The Middlesex-London Health Unit is located downtown at 50 King St., where King meets Ridout St. N. The STI clinic is located on the first floor, near the entrance, and operates on a drop-in basis. No health card is necessary, testing and treatment for STIs is free of charge.
The clinic is open from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays, and from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on Fridays. Show up a bit early, though — for example, if you were to arrive at 4:30 p.m. on a Wednesday, you could enter and begin the process, likely leaving much sooner than otherwise.
Upon entering you're required to take a number, and soon you'll be registered at the desk. Before long, a nurse will call you in for a confidential interview about your medical and sexual history (both recent and long-term) and lead you with instruction to a private restroom to provide a urine sample.
The clinic tests both urine and blood for a number of STIs, including chlamydia, gonorrhea, trichomonas, hepatitis, syphilis, and HIV. Some of these are easily tested with the urine sample you provide, but for the rest they need a blood sample. Unless you indicate that you are interested in a physical examination (perhaps due to a concern of genital bumps or herpes), no one will ask you to remove your clothes.
So after another short wait, you're led into the exam room and met by a doctor who takes your blood. While doing so, the doctor provides information on the testing process and reminds you that the results will be back in about a week. This is largely due to the blood test — the urine test comes back much faster — but as this is the test that screens for the weightier of the STIs, it's not an unreasonable period.
The doctor will also remind you that the STI clinic will only contact you by phone at the number you provide if they have need to see you again. If your tests come back clean, they won't contact with you at all, so feel free to assume that you have nothing to worry about if you haven't heard from them within ten days. Follow up with them yourself if you have any concerns.
The clinic also offers emergency contraception and pregnancy tests if needed, and has a lot of printed information to further educate you on your sexual health and wellbeing. Most importantly, don't be afraid to be honest and ask all of the questions that you have; everyone working at the clinic is very patient and informative.
For more information on the Middlesex-London Health Unit or the STI clinic, visit their website (healthunit.com) or call 519-663-5317. Information is readily available online at sexualityandu.ca.
