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When you are diagnosed with a reportable STI, anyone you have had sexual contact with or shared drug equipment with needs to be notified that they have been exposed to a communicable infection.  This is sometimes called ‘contact...

Window periods are based on averages or statistics from studies. Different HIV tests have different window periods. As HIV testing technology improves, window periods may become more specific or even get shorter. HIV tests used in British...

What is anonymous HIV testing? In British Columbia, there are a number of ways that you can get an HIV test.  With anonymous HIV testing your name is not attached to your result and your contact information is never collected. You are...

The INSTI test kit is the only rapid HIV test that is licenced for use in Canada. The test uses a few drops of blood, which are taken from a finger poke. People who test negative will know their result within a few minutes. If the test is...

HAART prevents the HIV virus from making copies of itself and limits how much virus is in the body. The level of virus in the blood is called ‘viral load’. When the viral load is low or “undetectable”, there is less harm to the body’s...

Causes HIV is passed through vaginal and anal sexual contact.  This includes both penetrative sex and sexual activities where there is an exchange of body fluids.  There is a very low chance that HIV may be passed through oral...

Safer Sex Your chances of getting an STI depend on the kind of sex you are having, whether or not you are using protection and how many other people in your group have the STI. STI testing In BC, rates of STI and HIV are high among men who...

Coming out can be a very positive experience when friends and family are supportive and the person feels they can finally be themselves. For some people, the idea of coming out can be scary. Some fear negative reactions or rejection from...

Causes It is not clear what causes the imbalance of bacteria, but there are some things make you more likely to get it. The chances of having BV are higher if you: have sex with new or multiple sexual partners have another sexually...

If this is a concern for you, feel free to chat with us or ask a question through this website. Common Concerns Notifying sex partners about a positive STI: The BC Centre for Disease Control, and public health nurses in each Health...

M. genitalium is usually found when someone has urethritis or cervicitis, which is ongoing or repeated inflammation of the urethra or cervix. It has also been associated with pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). M. genitalium can cause other...

In most cases, PEP stops HIV from establishing itself in the body and will prevent you from becoming HIV positive. To be effective, the treatment needs to be started as soon as possible in the first 72 hours after exposure. The treatment...

HPV and genital warts

Here are ten tips that will help make these conversations relevant and comfortable for all involved. These tips have been generously provided by Jennifer Gibson, Community Education Services Coordinator with Island Sexual Health.  Want to...

How does it work? The INSTI® HIV Self-Test is an HIV antibody test which detects antibodies produced in response to HIV. Antibodies to HIV can take time to develop after an exposure. It can take 3 to 12 weeks for this test to detect...

LGV can be cured with antibiotics.  It has historically been rare in BC, but is now becoming more common, especially among men who have sex with men. Causes LGV is passed through vaginal, oral, and anal sexual contact.  This...

Trichomoniasis can be cured with antibiotics. Causes Trichomoniasis is passed through vaginal sexual contact.  This includes both penetrative sex and sexual activities where there is an exchange of body fluids.  You can also get...

Some people clear hepatitis C from their body, meaning the virus goes away on its own. Most people will not clear the virus and hepatitis C can become a long-term (chronic) condition. However, hepatitis C can be managed and usually cured...

PID can be cured with antibiotics. Causes The infections that cause PID can be passed through vaginal, oral, and anal sexual contact. This includes both penetrative sex and sexual activities where there is an exchange of body fluids or...

Puberty As people with penises go through puberty, their bodies change. The voice deepens, body hair develops and the penis grows along with the rest of the body. Puberty happens at different ages and speeds, though most people with...