Routine screening
Testing without symptoms based on partners, practices and individual risk.
Private, respectful care
Confidential sexual health testing without judgment.
Speak privately with a clinician about symptoms, exposure concerns, prevention and testing that matches the sites involved.
Confidential, informed care
Testing selected for your actual exposure
STIs often cause no symptoms, and no single sample checks for every infection. A private history helps the clinician choose the right blood, urine or swab tests and explain whether repeat testing is needed.
Confidential conversation
Discuss partners, practices and concerns respectfully and without assumptions.
Site-specific testing
Testing may involve urine, blood or throat, vaginal, cervical or rectal swabs.
Treatment and prevention
Review results, treatment, partner care, vaccines and safer-sex options.
Testing and prevention
Sexual-health support without assumptions
Testing and prevention are selected according to symptoms, exposure sites, timing and individual risk—not a standard panel for everyone.
Chlamydia and gonorrhea
Urine or site-specific swabs selected according to possible exposure.
HIV and syphilis
Blood testing with discussion of timing and the possibility of a window period.
Hepatitis testing
Assessment based on sexual, blood, travel, vaccine and medical history.
Genital sores or rash
Clinical examination and appropriate testing when lesions are present.
Pelvic or urinary symptoms
Assessment of discharge, pain, burning, bleeding or other new symptoms.
Partner notification
Guidance after a positive result, including public-health support when applicable.
Prevention options
Discuss condoms, vaccination, HIV PrEP or time-sensitive PEP when relevant.
What to expect
A straightforward visit from arrival to next steps
Know what happens before you arrive, while you are with the clinician and after your assessment.
1
Share the exposure
Explain timing, body sites, barrier use, symptoms and any known partner diagnosis.
2
Choose the tests
The clinician recommends samples based on infection risk and window periods.
3
Collect samples
Testing may use urine, self-collected or clinician swabs, and laboratory blood work.
4
Complete follow-up
Review results, treatment, retesting and when sexual contact can safely resume.
Prepare for your visit
Bring the essentials
A little preparation helps the clinician understand your health and make safer decisions.
- Ontario health card or private coverage information
- Medication, allergy and vaccination information
- Approximate dates and types of possible exposure
- Details of symptoms and any treatment already used
- Known partner results or public-health instructions, if available
Why the conversation matters
Testing is most accurate when it matches the exposure. A urine sample may assess genital chlamydia or gonorrhea but does not rule out an infection in the throat or rectum. Blood tests are used for HIV, syphilis and some hepatitis infections. A visible sore may need a direct swab.
The clinician may ask about the types of contact, body sites, condom use, partner diagnoses, pregnancy possibility and previous STIs. These questions are clinical, not judgmental. You can ask why a question is relevant and tell the clinician if you need a pause.
Timing and window periods
An infection may be present before a test can detect it. The time between acquisition and reliable detection is called a window period, and it differs across infections and tests. A negative result soon after exposure may need repeating.
Recent high-risk HIV exposure needs urgent assessment for PEP, which must begin within a limited timeframe. People with ongoing HIV exposure risk can ask about PrEP. Emergency contraception may also be time-sensitive after pregnancy risk.
Symptoms and examination
Seek assessment for discharge, burning with urination, pelvic or testicular pain, sores, rash, bleeding or pain during sex. Some symptoms have non-STI causes, and an examination may be useful. Severe pelvic or testicular pain, heavy bleeding, fever with marked illness or symptoms after sexual assault require urgent, specialized care.
Results, treatment and partners
If a result is positive, the clinician explains treatment and whether partners need testing or treatment. Avoid sexual contact for the period advised. Some infections require a test of cure or repeat testing because reinfection can occur.
Certain infections are reportable to public health. This supports monitoring and confidential partner services; it does not make the conversation public. Ask how and when the clinic communicates results, including negative results.
Reducing future risk
Condoms and dental dams lower the risk of many infections, though they do not eliminate infections spread by uncovered skin. HPV and hepatitis vaccines may be useful. The right prevention plan can include regular testing, PrEP and open partner communication.
Learn more from the Government of Canada’s guide to getting tested for STIs.
Medical information is for general education and does not replace professional advice. Test selection, timing and treatment depend on the individual exposure and assessment.
Before you visit
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers about accessing walk-in care at our Scarborough clinic.
Can I have an STI without symptoms?
Yes. Chlamydia, gonorrhea, HIV, syphilis and other infections may be present without noticeable symptoms. Testing is the only way to know for many infections.
Does a urine test check for every STI?
No. Urine can test for certain infections at a genital site, but blood tests or swabs from the throat, vagina, cervix, rectum or a lesion may be needed. Testing should match the exposure.
How soon after exposure should I test?
Timing differs by infection and test. Testing too early can miss an infection, so the clinician may recommend an initial test and repeat testing after the relevant window period.
What if the possible HIV exposure was recent?
HIV post-exposure prophylaxis is time-sensitive and should be assessed urgently—ideally as soon as possible and no later than 72 hours after exposure. Do not wait for a routine screening appointment.
Who receives my results?
Results are handled confidentially. Certain positive infections are reported to public health as required by law. Public-health staff may offer confidential support with partner notification and follow-up.