TESTING
When you have sex without protection, not only can you get pregnant (if your partner is of the opposite sex), but you also run the risk of catching a sexually transmitted infection.
How easy are they to catch? Most people actually have at least one and don't know it... that's the herpes simplex type 1!
The best things for the most serious infections is, of course, prevention... but having an infection is nothing to be ashamed of. These things happen. They can be bad and cause awful consequences if you ignore them, though, so it is important to ALWAYS go to the doctor and get checked out if you have a concern, and also GET TESTED regularly for STIs if you are sexually active.
How easy are they to catch? Most people actually have at least one and don't know it... that's the herpes simplex type 1!
The best things for the most serious infections is, of course, prevention... but having an infection is nothing to be ashamed of. These things happen. They can be bad and cause awful consequences if you ignore them, though, so it is important to ALWAYS go to the doctor and get checked out if you have a concern, and also GET TESTED regularly for STIs if you are sexually active.
Get Tested? WHAT?
Getting tested is SUPER easy, and should be done regularly, like every three months. This is because some of the pathogens take some time building enough of them in your body to test positive on an STI test!
You have to look at it like a responsible "maintenance check" for your body, like going to the dentist or getting an eye exam.
It shows you respect yourself and your partners.
If you go to one of the clinics mentioned below, you can get FREE testing. These are youth clinics, so there will be NO judgment as these clinics only work wit young people like you. These clinics work either by appointment or by walk-ins, but they do advise people to call first.
You will walk into the clinic and explain that you would like to be tested for STIs. The doctor at the time will ask you a few questions about your sexual history and determine what kind of testing you may need.
They may ask you for a urine sample (for chlamidia and gonorrhea) and a blood test (for HIV, syphilis and hepatitis B or C). They may also need a swab test to test for infections in the throat, anus, vagina or urethra.
They will ask you for a personal phone number or online account so they can make a private phone call or send you a private, confidential message. Some places have a portal you have to log in. The clinic will let you know!
Test results will be completed in one to two weeks, but some blood tests might take a bit longer.
I didn't hear from the clinic! What went wrong?
If you don't hear anything, that's good news! It means everything came back negative. But ALWAYS call them anyways to confirm, just in case.
If you tested positive for something, they will call you or leave you a message, so be ready to answer when they call, or check messages.
Wait -- positive is negative, and negative is positive?
Yes, that's right. Negative for a particular infection means you don't have it, while positive means you have it.
If you test positive, don't wait -- make sure to go back to the clinic to get the right treatment. Most infections have simple, pain-free treatments (like a course of antibiotics or a little shot). This makes sure you stay healthy and safe!
One last thing -- because the health system wants to stop the spread of infections, if you test positive, nurses will ask you the names of all your sexual partners. This helps figure out the chain of transmission, and helps people who may not have any symptoms get better and stop spreading it. The nurse will then call these individuals ANONYMOUSLY which means they will NOT tell the person you were the one who are sick.
It is illegal for the health system to disclose personal health information to anyone else other than yourself, and so rest assured your identity will be safe from everyone else (and in BC, this includes even your parents).
You have to look at it like a responsible "maintenance check" for your body, like going to the dentist or getting an eye exam.
It shows you respect yourself and your partners.
If you go to one of the clinics mentioned below, you can get FREE testing. These are youth clinics, so there will be NO judgment as these clinics only work wit young people like you. These clinics work either by appointment or by walk-ins, but they do advise people to call first.
You will walk into the clinic and explain that you would like to be tested for STIs. The doctor at the time will ask you a few questions about your sexual history and determine what kind of testing you may need.
They may ask you for a urine sample (for chlamidia and gonorrhea) and a blood test (for HIV, syphilis and hepatitis B or C). They may also need a swab test to test for infections in the throat, anus, vagina or urethra.
They will ask you for a personal phone number or online account so they can make a private phone call or send you a private, confidential message. Some places have a portal you have to log in. The clinic will let you know!
Test results will be completed in one to two weeks, but some blood tests might take a bit longer.
I didn't hear from the clinic! What went wrong?
If you don't hear anything, that's good news! It means everything came back negative. But ALWAYS call them anyways to confirm, just in case.
If you tested positive for something, they will call you or leave you a message, so be ready to answer when they call, or check messages.
Wait -- positive is negative, and negative is positive?
Yes, that's right. Negative for a particular infection means you don't have it, while positive means you have it.
If you test positive, don't wait -- make sure to go back to the clinic to get the right treatment. Most infections have simple, pain-free treatments (like a course of antibiotics or a little shot). This makes sure you stay healthy and safe!
One last thing -- because the health system wants to stop the spread of infections, if you test positive, nurses will ask you the names of all your sexual partners. This helps figure out the chain of transmission, and helps people who may not have any symptoms get better and stop spreading it. The nurse will then call these individuals ANONYMOUSLY which means they will NOT tell the person you were the one who are sick.
It is illegal for the health system to disclose personal health information to anyone else other than yourself, and so rest assured your identity will be safe from everyone else (and in BC, this includes even your parents).
FREE CLINICS NEAR US
New Westminster Youth Clinic - Primary Care Hub
- Location: Unit 100 - 233 Nelson's Crescent, New Westminster, BC
- Phone: 604-525-0822
- Best for: Full sexual health exams, STI testing, and free or low-cost birth control.
Purpose Society Youth Clinic
This is my recommendation! It's SO close to us, just a few blocks from New Westminster Skytrain Station. This clinic is a long-standing community partner in New West, with a very non-clinical, welcoming environment.
- Location: 40 Begbie Street, New Westminster, BC
- Phone: 604-526-2522
- Best for: Students who might feel intimidated by a standard doctor's office. They provide testing, emergency contraception (the "Morning After" pill), and general counseling.
