STI screening – what should you expect?

The questionnaire

To determine which tests are necessary, you will be answer some personal questions about your risk factors such as the number of partners, sexual practices, and whether you use condom/dental dam and do not share drug injection or inhalation material. Depending on the situation, you may complete this questionnaire online before testing or in person at your appointment.

You do not have to answer all the questions if you are uncomfortable or do not know the answer. However, being as precise as possible about the different risk factors will help determine which STIs must be tested, which samples are required, which bodily areas should be examined and when to do it. The testing are based on the criteria in the ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux's Guide québécois de dépistage des ITSS [1 and 2]. You will then be free to accept or refuse the proposed tests.

Booking an appointment

You will also need to make an appointment to have the samples taken. The screening procedure without a prescription is reserve for people without signs or symptoms of infection.

1. If you have no signs or symptoms, you have two choices:

a) Consult a doctor, a nurse, an IPS for a labprescription, then make an appointment at a centre de prélèvement

b) Make an appointment at a testing centre or laboratory, such as Biron, that offers testing services without a lab prescription. This type of service was put in place to allow easier and more rapid access to testing.

1. If you have signs or symptoms of infection, such as discharge, pain, burning, sores or itching of the ano-genital, you should consult a health care professional immediately. A lab prescription is required to collect the sample if symptoms are present.

Possible samples

A variety of microorganisms cause screenable STIs. That is why different types of samples may be required to detect them.

For example, the bacteria that cause chlamydia and gonorrhea are most easily detected in urine or vaginal secretions. Other infections caused by viruses or bacteria can be detected in the blood.

Types of samples by screenable infectious agents

Preparation and process

The tests are performed during a consultation with a health professional who takes the samples (except for the urine sample, which you take yourself in a sterile jar). In all cases, you will receive professional, confidential and personalized services. The appointment generally takes about 15 minutes.

Blood collection

No fasting or preparation is required for this sample. If you fear blood taking, please tell us so we can accommodate and make you as comfortable as possible.

Urine collection

It is recommended not to urinate during the hour before sampling. It is also not advisable to wash or disinfect the vulva, penis, foreskin or to have a heavy menstrual period.

Vaginal or anal secretion collection

This involves collecting a small amount of secretions from the vagina, throat or anus with a swab. In general, the area to be swabbed should not be cleaned or disinfected before the swabbing, nor should you have your heavy period. You should also avoid urinating for one hour before.

All samples are then quickly forwarded to the laboratory for analysis so you can have the results as soon possible, most within 24 hours. A copy of the tests will be sent to your doctor, nurse or IPS if you want so.

The results

The time it takes to get the results depends on the laboratory and the type of test you are taking. It varies from 24 hours in private laboratories to one week or more in the public network. If you are registered with the Carnet santé Québec, you can consult your results one month later.

You may receive the results by phone or electronically, depending on the case. At the time of your screening appointment, feel free to ask when and how you will receive them.

The follow-up

If your test results are positive, a healthcare professional will explain what you need to do and the medical follow-up offered. Begin appropriate treatment promptly and notify people who may have been exposed to the STI to encourage them to get tested and treated. You can also get help determining the best way to notify partners and break the chain of infection. [3, 4]

If your results are negative, they will explain how to interpret them and depending on your risk factors, they will recommend periodic testing. You can also get advice on how to prevent those STIs.

Your results are confidential, but some STIs (gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis, HIV and hepatitis B and C) must be reported to the public health unit in your area. The public health unit will ask you for your partners’ names and contact information and inform them that they have been in contact with an STI, but without mentioning your name. You can ask to have this conversation with your partners yourself.

With the rise of STIs in Quebec, 5 screening is an excellent practice because it helps break the chain of infection. The process is not complicated and can help you and your partners avoid serious health problems. By getting tested regularly, you can also find out if you have an STI before you have a relationship with a new partner and avoid embarrassing situations.

In addition to regular screening, using condoms for all types of sexual intercourse is another good habit to adopt because, although not infallible, it is the most effective means of protection against STIs.

We offer an STI screening service without a prescription. Simply fill out a free and confidential questionnaire to help us determine the right tests, then book an appointment.

STI Screening Form Without a Prescription

Do you have symptoms? You will need a medical prescription to be tested. Once you have a prescription, book an appointment online or contact Biron Health Group customer service at 1 833-590-2712.