What can I test for?
The tests that you can get through GetCheckedOnline include blood, urine and swab tests. GetCheckedOnline offers testing for the following sexually transmitted infections (STIs):
These STIs are ‘reportable infections’, which means that positive results are sent to public health. If you have a reportable STI, a public health nurse from the BC Centre for Disease Control STI clinic will contact you to talk about your results and if needed, help you with telling your partners to get tested.
GetCheckedOnline does not test for all sexually transmitted infections.
(Learn more about what infections GetCheckedOnline doesn't test for.)
Chlamydia
- Symptoms: Chlamydia is a common STI caused by bacteria that is passed during sex. It is found in the throat, vagina, urethra and rectum. Symptoms may include discomfort when urinating, painful sex, or unusual discharge. It is common for people not to notice any symptoms.
- Test: Chlamydia is tested using urine and swab samples. When you go to the lab, you will be asked to pee in a plastic cup. The urine sample will be used to test for both gonorrhea and chlamydia. It is also possible to get chlamydia in the throat or anus during oral or anal sex. If you are recommended to test for chlamydia in the throat or rectum, you will be asked to take swab samples of your throat and/or rectum (instructions are provided).
- When to test: You can test 2 weeks after sexual contact. It may take up to 6 weeks to get an accurate result. Chlamydia is cured with antibiotics.
Learn more about chlamydia.
Gonorrhea
- Symptoms: Gonorrhea is a common STI caused by bacteria that is passed during sex. It is found in the throat, vagina, urethra and rectum. Symptoms may include discomfort when urinating, unusual discharge from the penis, vagina or anus, or painful bowel movements. A person may have gonorrhea and not notice any symptoms.
- Test: Gonorrhea is tested using urine and swab samples. When you go to the lab, you will be asked to pee in a plastic cup. The urine sample will be used to test for both gonorrhea and chlamydia. It is possible to get gonorrhea in the throat or anus during oral or anal sex. If you are recommended to test for gonorrhea in the throat or rectum, you will be asked to take swab samples of your throat and/or rectum (instructions are provided).
- When to test: You can test 2 - 7 days after sexual contact. Most results are accurate after 7 days. Gonorrhea is cured with antibiotics.
Learn more about gonorrhea.
Syphilis
- Symptoms: Syphilis is an STI caused by bacteria that is usually passed through skin-to-skin contact with a syphilis sore that is not usually visible to the eye. Syphilis is also passed by exchange of body fluids during sexual contact. The infection occurs in stages and each stage has different symptoms. Often people do not know notice any symptoms when they have syphilis.
- Test: Syphilis is tested with a blood sample.
- When to test: You can test 3 to 4 weeks after sexual contact. It may take up to 3 months to get an accurate result. Syphilis can be cured with antibiotics.
Learn more about syphilis.
HIV
- Symptoms: The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) attacks the body’s immune system. It can be passed during sex through contact with blood, semen, vaginal or anal fluids that contain the virus. Many people do not have any symptoms and are unaware that they have HIV. When a person first gets HIV, it is very easy to pass it on to sex partners.
- Test: HIV is tested with a blood sample.
- When to test: GetCheckedOnline uses two kinds of HIV tests. If you are female, you will get a standard antibody blood test, and you should wait 4 to 6 weeks after sexual contact before testing. It may take up to 3 months to get an accurate result. If you are male, you will get a test which looks for the HIV virus and you should wait 2 weeks after sexual contact before testing. It may take up to 6 weeks to get an accurate result. There is no cure for HIV, but medication can lower the virus in the body and keep people healthier. Without treatment, HIV infection harms the immune system and it may progress to Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS).
Learn more about HIV.
Hepatitis C
- Symptoms: Hepatitis C is a virus that affects the liver. The virus is found in the blood and is passed through blood-to-blood contact. Signs of hepatitis range from no symptoms to severe symptoms. Sometimes there are no symptoms at first, and it can take a long time for symptoms to show up. Hepatitis affects everyone differently. It is important to talk with your health care provider about your medical care options.
- Test: Testing for hepatitis C is done with a blood sample.
- When to test: You can test 2 to 6 weeks after blood or sexual contact. It may take up to 10 weeks to get an accurate result. If you are worried that you have come in contact with hepatitis C, then it is a good idea to get a test and then repeat it 3 months later.
Learn more about hepatitis C.
