When a partner tells you that they have tested positive for an STI, it is normal to feel some distress! Check out our guide below to your next best steps when a partner tells you that they have…
For more details on each of these STIs, click the links to see our detailed information pages.
Gonorrhea: Make an appointment with your local sexual health clinic, STI clinic, university clinic, walk-in clinic, or family doctor, even if you don’t have any symptoms. Gonorrhea is a bacterial infection that is treated with an injection of antibiotics. A medical professional will have to administer the drug. If a partner or Public Health did not tell you that they have tested positive, but your encounter was high-risk (for example: unprotected without a barrier method, with an unknown partner, non-consensual encounter, etc), gonorrhea can be accurately tested after 7-10 days. Consider getting tested for sexually transmitted blood-borne infections (STBBIs).
Chlamydia: Make an appointment with your local sexual health clinic, STI clinic, university clinic, walk-in clinic, or family doctor, even if you don’t have any symptoms. Chlamydia is a bacterial infection that is treated with antibiotics in pill form. A medical professional will have to prescribe the drug. If a partner or Public Health did not tell you that they have tested positive, but your encounter was high-risk (for example: unprotected without a barrier method, with an unknown partner, non-consensual encounter, etc), chlamydia can be accurately tested after 7-10 days. Consider getting tested for sexually transmitted blood-borne infections (STBBIs).
Genital Warts: Take a look at your own genitals, using a mirror if necessary. Genital warts may be very small and the color of the skin or slightly darker. The top of the growths may resemble a cauliflower and may feel smooth or slightly bumpy to the touch. They may occur as a cluster of warts, or just one wart. They are caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV) through skin-to-skin contact. If you see what you think may be warts, or if you have any other concerning symptoms, such as genital discharge, itching, burning, or bleeding, make an appointment with your local sexual health clinic, STI clinic, university clinic, walk-in clinic, or family doctor to discuss treatment and management. If your sexual encounter was high-risk (for example: unprotected without a barrier method, with an unknown partner, non-consensual encounter, etc) make a regular testing appointment, even if you don’t have any symptoms. If your encounter was not high-risk and you are not experiencing symptoms, you do not need an appointment. Currently there is no test for the strains of HPV in Nova Scotia. Keep an eye out for warts, as symptoms can occur two weeks to several months after your sexual encounter. Some people will not be infected and many people will never get symptoms. If you have a vagina, double check to see if you are following your own PAP testing schedule, which is every three years unless otherwise directed by a medical professional. Consider contacting your healthcare professional regarding the HPV vaccine, if you have not already had it, or just to gather more information on HPV. Continue with your regular STI testing schedule and consider getting tested for sexually transmitted blood-borne infections (STBBIs).
Abnormal cells on a PAP: No problem! You do not need to make an appointment with a healthcare professional. Abnormal cells on a PAP test (a test done on cervical cells to look for cancerous strains of human papilloma virus – HPV) is not considered an STI. There is no test for HPV for people with penises. 70% of all sexually active Canadians will be infected with some strain of HPV over their lifetimes. Only a couple strains of HPV cause genital warts or cancers. If you have a vagina, double check to see if you are following your own PAP testing schedule, which is every three years unless otherwise directed by a medical professional.
Genital Herpes: Take a look at your own genitals, with a mirror if necessary. Genital Herpes is caused by human simplex virus (HSV). Symptoms include: genital itchiness, small blisters in the vagina, the vulva or cervix; on or around the penis or testicles; on or around the anus; or on the thighs or buttocks, tender lumps on the groin, fever, blisters that have burst leaving painful sores, scabbed over sores, painful urination, and/or a slight tingling or burning of the genitals. These usually occur in a cluster rather than a single blister, are painful, and do not have a white pus-filled head like a pimple or an ingrown hair. If you have a lesion (sores, blisters), it is important to request an urgent appointment for diagnosis and treatment with your local sexual health clinic, STI clinic, university clinic, walk-in clinic, or family doctor. Treatment should be started as soon as possible. A doctor can swab any lesions and send the sample to the lab to confirm whether or not you have been infected with HSV. Testing needs to be done within approximately 48 hours after the onset of the sore. However, if you do not have any lesions (sores, blisters) or symptoms, you do not need to make an appointment with a medical professional. There are no blood tests available in Nova Scotia that allows you to find out if you are carrying either of these viruses. Keep an eye for lesions, as symptoms can occur from 2 – 20 days after infection, although most occur after one week. Some people will never show symptoms. Continue with your regular STI testing schedule and consider getting tested for sexually transmitted blood-borne infections (STBBIs).
Syphilis: Make an appointment with your local sexual health clinic, STI clinic, university clinic, walk-in clinic, or family doctor, even if you don’t have any symptoms. Ask for a sexually transmitted blood-borne infection test. This is different than a regular STI test. At some clinics, you may be able to get your blood drawn on site. At others, you may need to get a blood test requisition form, which you can then take to a blood draw lab. Syphilis is a bacterial infection that is treated with an injection of antibiotics. If a partner or Public Health did not tell you that they have tested positive, but your encounter was high-risk (for example: unprotected without a barrier method, with an unknown partner, non-consensual encounter, etc), syphilis can be accurately tested after 6-12 weeks. Consider getting a regular STI test as well.
HIV: Make an appointment with your local sexual health clinic, STI clinic, university clinic, walk-in clinic, or family doctor, even if you don’t have any symptoms. Ask for a sexually transmitted blood-borne infection test. This is different than a regular STI test. At some clinics, you may be able to get your blood drawn on site. At others, you may need to get a blood test requisition form, which you can then take to a blood draw lab. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a viral infection that will require lifetime management. If a partner or Public Health did not tell you that they have tested positive, but your encounter was high-risk (for example: unprotected without a barrier method, with an unknown partner, non-consensual encounter, etc), HIV can be accurately tested after 12 weeks. Consider getting a regular STI test as well.
Hepatitis B: Make an appointment with your local sexual health clinic, STI clinic, university clinic, walk-in clinic, or family doctor, even if you don’t have any symptoms. Ask for a sexually transmitted blood-borne infection test. This is different than a regular STI test. At some clinics, you may be able to get your blood drawn on site. At others, you may need to get a blood test requisition form, which you can then take to a blood draw lab. Hep B is a viral infection that may require lifetime management. If a partner or Public Health did not tell you that they have tested positive, but your encounter was high-risk (for example: unprotected without a barrier method, with an unknown partner, non-consensual encounter, etc), Hep B can be accurately tested after 6-10 weeks. There is a vaccine for Hepatitis and you could discuss this during your appointment. Public Health provides it for MSM (men who have sex with men) and other high risk groups. Consider getting a regular STI test as well.
Hepatitis C: Make an appointment with your local sexual health clinic, STI clinic, university clinic, walk-in clinic, or family doctor, even if you don’t have any symptoms. Ask for a sexually transmitted blood-borne infection test. This is different than a regular STI test. At some clinics, you may be able to get your blood drawn on site. At others, you may need to get a blood test requisition form, which you can then take to a blood draw lab. Hep C is a viral infection that will require lifetime management. If a partner or Public Health did not tell you that they have tested positive, but your encounter was high-risk (for example: unprotected without a barrier method, with an unknown partner, non-consensual encounter, etc), Hep C can be accurately tested after 10-12 weeks. Consider getting a regular STI test as well.