Sexually Transmitted Infections
Sexually Transmitted Infections
Reportable Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)
- A sexually transmitted infection (STI), also known as a sexually transmitted disease (STD), is an infection that is passed on by sexual intercourse or genital contact.
- Ontario’s Health Promotion and Protection Act (HPPA) has indicated that certain sexually transmitted infections are reportable to the local/regional Medical Officer of Health.
- “Infectious diseases that pose a risk to the community due to their virulence, prevalence or potential to inflict significant sequelae are designated “reportable” under public health legislation." (PIDAC, 2009).
- Reportable STIs include chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, hepatitis, and HIV (as an agent of AIDS).
- For more information, or to chat with a sexual health counsellor for general questions, visit sexualhealthontario.ca (external link)
Chlamydia is caused by a bacteria and can affect the cervix, urethra, rectum, throat and eyes. It is spread through unprotected oral, vaginal or anal sex.
Halton Region Sexual Health Clinics offer free urine testing and/or swabs to test for chlamydia. Please do not urinate for 1-2 hours before testing. Free treatment for chlamydia is also available. If you have symptoms of an STI or you know your partner has an STI, you may be treated before test results are confirmed.
Gonorrhea is caused by a bacteria and can affect the cervix, urethra, rectum, throat and eyes. It is spread through unprotected oral, vaginal or anal sex.
Halton Region Sexual Health Clinics offer free urine testing and/or swabs to test for gonorrhea. Please do not urinate for 1-2 hours before testing. Free treatment for gonorrhea is also available. If you have symptoms of an STI or you know your partner has an STI, you may be treated before test results are confirmed.
Syphilis is caused by a bacterial infection that can be transmitted through unprotected oral, vaginal or anal sex. This infection can also be spread by having contact with the bacteria contained in sores or rashes caused by syphilis infection.
Halton Region Sexual Health Clinics offer free blood testing for syphilis. Free treatment is also available.
The Human immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) can be transmitted through blood, semen, vaginal fluids, rectal fluids and breast milk. This virus may be transmitted through unprotected oral, vaginal, or anal sex as well as sharing needles or other drug paraphernalia.
Halton Region Sexual Health Clinics offer free blood testing for HIV, you can choose to use your name for an HIV test or you can get a code number and have anonymous testing done. Rapid screen testing* is also available, this test involves taking a finger prick blood sample and results are ready within a few minutes.
*You must meet certain eligibility criteria for rapid screen testing.
Hepatitis B is a virus that can be transmitted through unprotected oral, vaginal or anal sex. This virus may also be transmitted through exposure to blood or sharing needles.
Halton Region Sexual Health Clinics offer free blood testing for Hepatitis B and free vaccinations to individuals who meet certain eligibility criteria
Hepatitis C is a virus that can be transmitted through sharing needles or other drug paraphernalia. It can also be transmitted with unsterilized equipment when getting a tattoo or piercing. Sometimes Hepatitis C is transmitted during unprotected sex if blood is present.
Halton Region Sexual Health Clinics offer free blood testing for Hepatitis C.
Other STIs
Halton Region Sexual Health Clinics offer free vaccinations to individuals who meet certain eligibility criteria.
- For more information about Hepatitis A, please visit:
Smart Sex Resource - Hepatitis A (external link)
The herpes simplex virus is transmitted through contact with herpes lesions, genital surfaces, skin, sores or fluids of someone infected with the virus. HSV can be shed from normal-appearing oral or genital mucosa or skin. Symptoms may include painful blisters on the genitals, mouth and face. There are two different types of herpes simplex viruses. HSV-1 is mainly associated with oral infections of the mouth and face and HSV-2 is mainly associated with genital infections.
Halton Region Sexual Health Clinics offer free herpes testing for genital infections only. If you have bumps, sores or blisters present in the genital area, visit our online booking page (external link), your local walk in clinic (external link), or your family doctor as soon as possible..
For more information about herpes, please visit:
- The Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) is transmitted through unprotected oral, vaginal or anal sex, or through skin to skin contact in the genital area. This virus is very common and has over 100 strains. HPV can cause cancer of the cervix, vagina, vulva, penis, anus, mouth, neck and throat and can also cause genital warts.
- Halton Region Sexual Health Clinics offer free Gardasil 9 vaccination based on certain eligibility criteria. The vaccine is also available for purchase.
- If you have bumps present in the genital area, visit our online booking page (external link), your local walk in clinic (external link), or your family doctor as soon as possible.
- For more information about HPV and Gardasil, please visit: