STI Screening in Quebec – Who Should Get Tested and How Often | Clinique Omicron

Screening for sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections is one of the most effective preventive measures in sexual health. Yet, many people postpone it, often due to embarrassment, sometimes because they don't know how often to get tested or where to go. In Quebec, access to STI/BBI screening does not require a designated family doctor, and the options are more numerous than one might think.

Most STIs have no symptoms for weeks, months, or even years. Feeling healthy is not a reliable indicator of not being infected.

The most common STIs in Quebec

Chlamydia is the most reported bacterial STI in Quebec. It is caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis and is asymptomatic in the vast majority of cases, particularly in women. If left untreated, it can cause serious complications such as pelvic inflammatory disease, chronic pain, and fertility problems. In men, it can cause urethritis but often remains asymptomatic.

Gonorrhea has seen a marked resurgence in Quebec in recent years. It can affect the cervix, urethra, rectum, and throat. Like chlamydia, it is often asymptomatic. Its increasing resistance to antibiotics makes it a public health priority (INSPQ, 2024).

HIV remains a serious infection, but current treatments allow HIV-positive individuals to live with an undetectable viral load, which protects them and their partners. Early screening is fundamental: the earlier the diagnosis, the more effective the management. In Quebec, rapid HIV screening tests are available in several clinics and community organizations.

Syphilis is also experiencing a significant increase in Quebec, particularly among men who have sex with men. It progresses through several stages and can affect the central nervous system if left untreated. Blood tests can detect it at all stages.

Hepatitis B and hepatitis C are transmitted through blood and sexual contact. Hepatitis C, in particular, can progress silently for decades before causing cirrhosis or liver cancer. Highly effective treatments are available today, but they require prior diagnosis.

Who should get tested and how often

Screening recommendations vary based on risk profile. Anyone who is sexually active and has had a new partner or multiple partners in the past year should consider annual screening for common STIs, namely chlamydia, gonorrhea, and HIV at a minimum. For individuals with higher-risk practices, including men who have sex with men, people who inject drugs, or those with multiple unprotected partners, screening every three to six months is recommended (INSPQ, 2024).

Hepatitis C screening is recommended once in a lifetime for all adults born between 1945 and 1975 due to possible exposure to unsterilized medical equipment before current protocols were adopted. It is also recommended for anyone who has shared injection equipment.

For pregnant women, screening for chlamydia, gonorrhea, HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B is part of the standard prenatal assessment in Quebec.

How is an STI screening done?

A comprehensive screening typically includes a blood test for HIV, syphilis, hepatitis B and C, a urine sample or swab for chlamydia and gonorrhea, and, depending on sexual practices, rectal or pharyngeal swabs. The consultation lasts between 15 and 30 minutes. Results are generally available within seven to ten business days.

A positive result does not necessarily mean a serious illness. Most bacterial STIs can be treated effectively with antibiotics. HIV is managed with treatments that allow for a normal life. What matters is knowing so you can take action.

Frequently Asked Questions about STI Screening

Do you need to have symptoms to get tested?
No. It's actually the opposite. The majority of STIs cause no noticeable symptoms. Preventive screening is precisely for detecting asymptomatic infections before they cause complications or are transmitted to others.

Is STI testing confidential?
Yes. The results are confidential and protected by medical secrecy. Certain STIs, such as syphilis, HIV, and gonorrhea, are reportable diseases in Quebec, but reporting is done by name only in certain cases and according to strict protocols.

Can you get tested without a family doctor?
Yes. Medical clinics, pharmacies, community organizations, and CLSCs offer STI testing without a medical referral in most cases.

Does the condom protect against all STIs?
It significantly reduces the risk of transmission for most STIs, but does not protect 100% % against all of them. Some infections like HPV or herpes can be transmitted through skin-to-skin contact in uncovered areas.

When to consult a healthcare professional

If you've had unprotected sex with a new partner, are experiencing unusual symptoms like discharge, pain or genital lesions, or haven't been tested in over a year despite engaging in risky behaviors, a medical consultation is necessary.

A doctor or nurse practitioner can assess your risk profile, order appropriate tests, and follow up on results. An in-person or remote consultation teleconsultation at one of our Omicron Clinic in Quebec allows you to access it quickly and confidentially.

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