3 out of every 4 Canadians will contract one or more types of HPV (human papillomavirus) in their lifetime. HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection and different strains can cause genital warts and various types of cancer.  While statistics such as these highlight the importance of safe sex practices and regular testing, HPV and most other STIs and STDs are curable or manageable when caught early. 

Here, we will look at what an  STD is and the difference between STIs and STDs. Having a good understanding about both can help you reduce your risk and destigmatize these often misrepresented conditions.  

What are STDs and What are STIs Exactly?

Here are the details you need to know:

STDs

STDs are sexually transmitted diseases, meaning diseases whose only or primary method of transmission is through sexual contact. Some STDs like HIV, the virus that causes AIDs, can also be transmitted through blood transfusions, birth, and shared needle use. However, the instances of HIV transmission through blood transfusion are now very low as screening methods have become more advanced. 

What causes STDs?

STDs can be caused by viruses, bacteria or parasites.

Viral STDs

STDs caused by viruses include Hepatitis, HPV, and Herpes. Each of these do not have a cure, however a vaccine can protect against some of the most dangerous strains of HPV. 

Hepatitis

There are three types of hepatitis and that primarily affect your liver. If you have any form of hepatitis, the best self-treatment measure you can take is to avoid alcohol and any other substances that put a strain on your liver. Hepatitis A and B both have vaccines along with measures you can take to help manage their effects. 

Hepatitis C does not have a vaccine but can be treated with antiviral medications. These medications can reduce and even eliminate the virus from your blood. However, this is not a guaranteed cure for all patients and the medications are prohibitively expensive in many cases. 

HPV

HPV can be contracted through oral, anal or vaginal sex. There are more than 150 known strains of HPV. For most, a person will not have any symptoms at all and the virus will go away on its own over the course of several months or years. 

If you do experience symptoms, they will be in the form of warts close to the point of infection. Some strains can also cause various types of cancer that may develop years after infection. Regular screening for cancer can help you get treatment early. 

Herpes

Herpes also causes warts and can affect any part of the body. Most commonly they will be found on the genitals, the anus, in or around the mouth and even in the eyes. Currently, there is no cure for herpes but medications can help reduce flare ups.

Note

Both HPV and HIV are also caused by incurable viruses; both of which are considered to be infections, rather than diseases. AIDS is the STD that forms when HIV is allowed to progress. While there is no cure, there are medications that can slow the progression and reduce your risk of passing the infection to a partner. This is another critical reason why it is important to get tested early and often. For HPV, the resulting disease would be considered any cancer that may form due to the infection.

Bacterial STDs

STDs caused by bacteria include gonorrhea, syphilis, and chlamydia. Fortunately, all of these can be treated with medications. However, it is critical that you do seek treatment as they will not go away on their own. When left untreated, a bacterial STD can travel to other areas of the body and cause fertility issues. Syphilis can even damage the heart, eyes and brain if left untreated. 

Parasitic STDs

There are three parasite-caused STDs which include Scabies, Trichomonas vaginalis (Trich) and Pubic lice (sometimes referred to as “crabs” in slang). Trich is easily treated with a single round of antibiotics, however, the symptoms are commonly confused with a UTI if you are not tested specifically for Trich. 

Scabies is diagnosed by visual examination from your doctor who will look for entry points where the parasites have burrowed into your skin.  They can be treated with oral or topical medication prescribed by your doctor.  It is also important that you thoroughly wash your clothing and bedding in hot water to avoid becoming reinfected. 

Finally, Pubic Lice are the most easily visible of the parasitic STDs. These lice are different from the lice that can live in the hair on your head and will, instead, make their home in pubic hair. Medicated body washes are used to kill these lice. Like scabies, these parasites can survive on clothing and bedding which makes it imperative that you wash all of these materials thoroughly. 

STIs

STIs are sexually transmitted infections. Most STDs begin as STIs. Typically, STIs have more treatment options and it is optimal to catch infections early before they can progress. However, it is becoming more common to use STI as the umbrella term for STIs and STDs. The primary reason for this is to help reduce the stigma surrounding STDs. Reducing stigma can help many patients to seek testing and treatment sooner which lowers risk to them and their partners. 

What Are you Legally Obligated to Disclose to a Partner?

While STIs and STDs are primarily a health concern, they can also be a legal one. In Canada, it is illegal to not inform a partner of an STD or STI before engaging in sexual contact. Most cases that have been brought to court pertain to HIV specifically. Other STIs should also be disclosed but prosecutions are rarely for any disease besides HIV. 

Where Can you Get Tested for STIs and STDs? 

The Canadian health system works to make testing convenient for all. Testing is free throughout Canada and can be administered at clinics, many community centres and doctors’ offices. 

For more information on the testing process visit, our How Do I Test for STIs and STDs? Page. If you’re ready to get tested, BCML offers a full spectrum of STD and STI testing including HIV testing. To make an appointment, please call 416-929-1900 today!

Sexually transmitted infections and diseases (STIs and STDs) are a common occurrence among sexually active individuals. Fortunately, testing is widely available and affordable or even free across Canada. With early detection, many STIs can be treated more easily and will prevent the spread of diseases. 

Here we will look at common STIs and STDs and what to expect when getting tested. With proper education, it is easier to keep yourself safe and to seek help when needed.

How to test for STIs and STDs

If you have never had an STD test you are not alone in wondering how STD testing works.  Anxiety over testing is also extremely common but should not hold you back from getting the care you need. Diseases are common and many are preventable and treatable with proper knowledge. Let’s look at common questions about the STD testing procedure in Toronto.

Where to Get Tested

Testing is available and free at many locations throughout Canada. Free testing can be found at clinics dedicated to sexual health, walk-in clinics, family doctors’ facilities, community health centres, and other facilities for public health.

When Should You go for STD Testing

When and how to test for STIs and STDs will vary depending on your sexual activity. Ideally, you should start getting tested as soon as you are sexually active. You and your new partner should both get tested again at the start of any relationship. 

If you have multiple partners, you should get tested at a minimum of every 6 months. However, any time you experience any symptoms or you add a new partner whose history you are unsure of, you should also seek STD testing.

STD Incubation Period

Getting tested frequently is important. However, to keep yourself healthy and stop the spread of the disease, you do need to be mindful that diseases have incubation periods. 

For example, chlamydia and gonorrhea will be detectable in a matter of days but hepatitis C can take anywhere from 2 to 26 weeks to make itself known. Certain types of HPV and syphilis may even take years to fully produce symptoms. Again, because of this, you should aim to get tested at least every 6 months when you are sexually active even if you are not experiencing symptoms. 

What to Expect During STD Testing Procedure

Toronto area patients can expect different testing depending on what they are being examined for. A swab test can be used to detect viruses like chlamydia and gonorrhea. 

For these, a swab is taken from either the cervix or throat for women, or from the penis, throat, or rectum for men. Urine tests can also be used to detect these. For hepatitis, syphilis, and HIV a blood test is required. 

How long does it take to get results of STD testing? 

Time for STD testing results can vary. Generally, swab and urine tests will take around a week to return results, while blood tests can take around two weeks. 

Can I continue to be sexually active while waiting for test results? 

If you are experiencing any symptoms such as itching, swelling, warts, or discharge in the genital region, you should not continue having sex. If you do not have symptoms, this is up to your and your partner’s discretion. 

How to Test for STIs and STDs: Myth Busting

You Only Need to Get Tested When you Have Symptoms, Right? False. Many STDs and STIs do not produce symptoms for everyone.  For example, chlamydia which is the most common STI can easily be mistaken for a yeast infection or have no symptoms at all. 

When left untreated, the infection can spread throughout the reproductive organs and cause infertility. Instead, schedule your STD testing whenever you are unsure of your partner(s) status. 

If you use a condom, you don’t need to get tested: False

While condoms reduce the risk of pregnancy and many STDs and STIs, they are not 100%. In particular, they do not offer protection against genital warts or herpes. Both of these conditions are caused by viruses and can exist in areas of the genitals that will not be protected by a condom. 

You can avoid getting an STD by just having oral sex: False

While oral sex carries a lower risk of contracting certain diseases, this is far from a guaranteed solution. In particular, if you have a cold sore, which is a form of herpes, this can be passed to a partner and give them genital herpes. 

You can’t get the same STD twice: False

While some STDs like HIV and herpes are not curable, others can be cured and, subsequently, be contracted again. Gonorrhea and chlamydia are common STDs that people can get multiple times. 

If your partner tests negative for STDs, you don’t need to get tested: False

There are many factors that go into why you should both be tested. Consider the incubation periods we discussed above. You and your partner could have been exposed to different STDs with different incubation periods and they might not be showing, while you are. 

A monogamous couple can’t get STDs: False.

While a monogamous couple certainly lowers their chances of contracting infections and diseases there are still scenarios where this is not guaranteed. For example, if either of you had partners before getting together, you may be carrying an STD with no visible symptoms. HPV is a prime example of this and it also can have a years-long incubation period before causing serious problems.

Even if you and your partner have only had sex with each other, there is still a narrow chance that you may contract a disease. This would happen in two main scenarios: 

• Either of you contracts a blood-borne STD in a non-sexual way. Blood transfusions and contaminated tattoo equipment, for example. 
• As we discussed above, oral herpes can be passed to the genitals. Many people have oral herpes simply from kissing an infected person. Even children may contract this from a friendly kiss from a friend or relative. Though this would not be considered sexual contact, it does allow an STD to enter the equation. In this same way, even someone who has never had sex can technically have an STD. 

How to Test for STIs and STDs at BCML 

At BCML we are here to help you manage your total health including your sexual health. We offer a full range of effective and confidential STD and STI testing right at our Toronto clinic. To set an appointment, contact us today at 416-929-1900. Your privacy, safety, and comfort are always our top priorities.