If you have an STI, you can get a prescription for medication, or receive direct treatment from one of our doctors (depending on which STI you have). For more information about each STI, please visit the Sexual Health Info section of our website.
BACTERIAL INFECTIONS
CHLAMYDIA
If you test positive for chlamydia, we can give you a prescription for antibiotics.
GONORRHEA
If you test positive for gonorrhea, we can give you a prescription for antibiotics.
SYPHILIS
Currently, we are only able to treat clients that have been tested positive with syphilis by our clinic, as well well as provide testing and treatment to their partners. Any questions over the phone about syphilis must be directed to one of our nurses. Otherwise, we will recommend that you go to see an Infectious Disease Specialist at the QEII Health Sciences Centre. We can help by making the referral and setting up the appointment. The specialist at the QEII will conduct further tests and decide on the best treatment. Syphilis can be treated with antibiotics.
If you have had a known contact with syphilis, we recommend that you go to the STI clinic at the V.G. Hospital on University Avenue for possible treatment.
VIRAL INFECTIONS PASSED THROUGH SKIN-TO-SKIN CONTACT
HERPES
There is currently no cure for herpes, but effective treatments for outbreaks do exist. To be effective, these treatments must be started immediately after symptoms appear. People with herpes may experience outbreaks of sores many times over the course of their lives. Medication can be taken to make these outbreaks less common, and to treat the sores themselves.
Here are some tips for managing the symptoms of genital herpes infection (from www.sexualityandu.ca):
- Wear loose clothing during outbreaks
- Drinking large amounts of fluids will decrease pain during urination, and urinating in the bath may be less painful
- Wash your hands with soap and water if you touch an infected area, and in particular, do not rub your eyes or touch your mouth after touching infected skin
- Avoid further infection by keeping the infected area clean and dry. When drying actively infected areas, use a hair dryer or lightly pat the area dry
- Epsom salts in bath water can help clean and dry out infected areas
- Wash bath towels before reusing and wash underclothing frequently
- A healthy lifestyle including proper diet, adequate rest and low stress levels can improve your immune system, and reduce the likelihood of outbreak
- If you think you have herpes, see a doctor immediately. Medication is available to help treat infected areas and to reduce the pain of sores. This medication may be prescribed for outbreaks as they happen, or it may be taken regularly to suppress the virus and lower the chance of having an outbreak. If you think you have an outbreak of Herpes, please inform the staff when you call and we will try to fit you in and treat you as needed.
HUMAN PAPILLOMAVIRUS (HPV) / GENITAL WARTS
If you have symptoms of genital warts, which are caused by strains of HPV, we can treat them with liquid nitrogen or other topical agents. Clients are often required to come for treatment once a week for 4 – 12 weeks, but sometimes you may only need one appointment. How many treatments you need will depend on the severity of your outbreak. When you call to book your appointment, you can just tell the receptionist that you want to book a treatment for HPV.
MOLLUSCUM CONTAGIOSIS
We treat molluscum contagiosis with liquid nitrogen or other topical agents. Clients are often required to come for treatment once a week for 1 – 4 weeks. How many treatments you need will depend on the severity of your outbreak. However, just because you treat what is visible does not mean you will not get more in other locations. When you call to book your appointment, you can just tell the receptionist that you want to book a “treatment”.
VIRAL INFECTIONS PASSED THROUGH BODILY FLUIDS
HIV
If you test positive for HIV, we will recommend that you go to see an Infectious Disease Specialist at the QEII Health Sciences Centre. We can help by making the referral and setting up the appointment. However, because our HIV testing program is 100% anonymous, we cannot force a client to seek treatment.
HEPATITIS B
If you test positive for hepatitis B, we will recommend that you go to see an Infectious Disease Specialist at the QEII Health Sciences Centre. We can help by making the referral and setting up the appointment. The specialist at the QEII will conduct further tests and decide on the best course of action. Most of the time, acute hepatitis B will run its natural course and go away on its own (i.e., does not require treatment). However, some people with chronic hepatitis B infection may need to take antiviral medications that will help to suppress the virus and minimize liver damage.
HEPATITIS C
If you test positive for hepatitis C, we will recommend that they go to see an Infectious Disease Specialist at the QEII Health Sciences Centre. We can help by making the referral and setting up the appointment. Typically, hepatitis C is treated with antiviral medications, but this is a decision that will be made by the client and the specialist after reviewing the individual case and the pros and cons of treatment.
PARASITIC INFECTIONS
TRICHOMONIASIS
An STI that is called by a parasite.
If you test positive for trichomoniasis, we can give you a prescription for a drug called Flagyl. This is typically taken for one week or in one large dose.