Prevention · Education · Support · Referrals
Serving the mountain communities of Banff, Canmore, Kananaskis
Lake Louise, Exshaw and Morley
Free
condoms
are
available
at the
following
locations:
AIDS
Bow
Valley
The
Living
Room
Lube and
dental dams
are also
available
at the
AIDS
Bow Valley
office
302 Buffalo St.
WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT WHEN I GO TO GET TESTED?
When you go for an STI (Sexually Transmitted Infection) test you must make sure that you specify which STI’s you would like to be tested for. HIV testing must be asked for specifically. STI’s are tested in different ways.
Psst girls…Did you know that a PAP test is NOT an STI test , so when you go for your annual make sure you ask to get STI and HIV testing.
COMMON TESTING METHODS:
A common way to test for STI’s such as Chlamydia, Gonorrhea and some others will be a swab. Depending on the behaviors you have engaged in prior to the test will determine where they will be looking at specifically. The most common areas for there to be swab testing include the penis, vagina, rectum and the back of the throat. A urine sample will also be taken.
STI testing can be done in a local clinic, however HIV testing may require a referral to the hospital for the blood to be taken. Each clinic varies in its practices and are outlined in the “Where Should I get tested” section.
For HIV, Syphilis and Hepatitis C: These infections involve a drawing of blood that will be examined in a lab
RESULTS:
Every place differs on how results are distributed. It is important to find out with the physician how they go about it before you are tested. Many places will only phone you if your results are positive. The best way is for you to come back to the clinic and receive your results in person, that way you have someone there with you regardless of the result.