Answered Questions

In the years since SmartSexResource launched, we have developed a library of questions asked by you, and answered by our expert sexual health nurses.

Our answered questions library cover a broad range of sexual health topics and common questions we hear at our clinics.

STI Testing (246)

I recently had a bbbj from a massage parlor. She didn’t deep throat and it probably lasted 5 minutes at most. How much risk is there for contracting gonorrhea or chlamydia, I was led to beleive its quite rare to transmit it this way. thx

Sexually transmitted infections (STI) like gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis, herpes simplex virus (HSV) and genital warts (Human papillomavirus) are easily passed when a man receives oral sex without a condom (bbbj).

HIV is not passed to the person receiving oral sex. On the other hand, the person who is performing oral sex could get HIV. Generally, oral sex is not a common way to pass HIV.

While it is possible to get some STIs from oral sex, it always depends on whether the person giving you the bbbj has an STI in their throat.

Often people are not aware they have an STI, because they don’t get symptoms or see changes in their body. That is why we recommend regular testing (3 – 6 months) for people who have new partners, or if they or their partners have more than one partner.

We can test for gonorrhea and chlamydia with a urine test and most results are accurate after 2 weeks.

Condoms are a good way to prevent most STIs that you could get from a bbbj.

Check out STI at a Glance to find out when to get tested.

You can also use our clinic finder if you need help finding a place to go for testing.

Please leave a comment to let us know if this answers your question or if you need more information.

Health Nurse

This answer was posted on January 9, 2013.

Hi. When does HIV show up in your blood? I had a test at 31 days that came back neg. I am heterosexual. The other site said 90 percent of tests will be positive 3 to 4 weeks after infection.

The standard HIV blood test we use in BC is 95% accurate after 6 weeks, but it can take up to 3 months to become positive.

You can takea a look at our STI at a glance chart for information on STI testing and how long to wait before getting a test.

Please leave a comment to let us know if this answers your question or if you need more information.

Health Nurse

For other readers, please feel free to leave a comment, or let us know if this was helpful.

This answer was posted on December 23, 2012.

I had a lot of tests during my window period. I had 3 blood draws and 3 rapid tests. I did a rapid HIV test at 12 weeks. All were done at community health centres and STI clinics and my results were negative every time. Do I need further testing? Especially I want to know if I could get any type of infection when my blood is drawn or during a finger prick with the rapid test. Is there any slim chance of infection? I am scared. PLz help.

Given that you had a negative rapid HIV test at 12 weeks, there is no need for any further testing.

If you want to read more about window periods for STI/HIV you can check out our chart “STI’s At A Glance”.

As for your chances of getting an infection during the blood draw or finger prick, that should never happen in Canada. Healthcare providers follow strict regulations and needles are used one time only. After they are used one time, they are disposed of in a special container.

In addition, the lancet used for the rapid test is designed in such a way that it can only be used once.

Please leave a comment to let us know if this answers your question or if you need more information.

Health Nurse

For other readers, please feel free to leave a comment, or let us know if this was helpful.

This answer was posted on November 14, 2012.

This answer was updated on February 7, 2022.

Is there a clinic where I can get STI testing with no appointment. My friend told me that only some clinics have access to new HIV tests that are accurate earlier. Could u suggest where I could go for an HIV test 3 week after a possible exposure. I want to get tested soon. The anxiety is killing me.

The test you may be talking about is the NAAT test. The window period is shorter than standard HIV antibody testing. It is 90% accurate 10 – 12 days after sexual contact.

This test is available for men and trans people in a few clinics in Vancouver, as part of a study. The aim of this study is to find people when they first get HIV. For the first 2 months after someone gets HIV, it is easy to pass on because there is a high amount of virus in the body.

The clinics that offer HIV NAAT testing :

Bute clinic: always drop – in, with no appointments.

HIM: drop in and appointments, but appointments will guarantee you a time to be seen.

Provincial STI Clinic: mainly by appointment, but you MAY be seen if you drop in.

You can find more details about these clinics in our Clinic Finder.

Please leave a comment to let us know if that answers your question or if you need more information.

Health Nurse

For other readers, please feel free to leave a comment, or let us know if this was helpful.

This answer was posted on November 6, 2012.

What is more reliable for STI testing – an STI clinic or a family doctor?

Both a family doctor and an STI clinic are reliable places to go for testing. A family doctor is able to order the same tests that you would get at an STI clinic.

The important thing would be to choose a place where you are comfortable talking about your sexual history. This helps your health care provider decide what tests are best for you.

You might want to print out and take along our STI checklist when you go for testing. You can review it with your health care provider to decide what tests you need.

Please leave a comment to let us know if that answers your question or if you need more information.

Health Nurse

For other readers, please feel free to leave a comment, or let us know if this was helpful.

This answer was posted on November 1, 2012.

This answer was updated on February 7, 2022.

I hear that it hurts to get STI testing. Do they need to stick a swab in my penis?

Hi.

These days you usually don’t need to get a swab in your penis. Most of the time all you have to do for Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea testing, is pee in a cup.

If you have been treated for Gonorrhea you may be asked to return for a swab to make sure that it is gone.

Your health care provider will talk to you about this if they think it is needed.

For more about STI testing, click here.

Health Nurse

This answer was posted on July 25, 2012.

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STI Testing (246)

I recently had a bbbj from a massage parlor. She didn’t deep throat and it probably lasted 5 minutes at most. How much risk is there for contracting gonorrhea or chlamydia, I was led to beleive its quite rare to transmit it this way. thx

Hi. When does HIV show up in your blood? I had a test at 31 days that came back neg. I am heterosexual. The other site said 90 percent of tests will be positive 3 to 4 weeks after infection.

Is there a clinic where I can get STI testing with no appointment. My friend told me that only some clinics have access to new HIV tests that are accurate earlier. Could u suggest where I could go for an HIV test 3 week after a possible exposure. I want to get tested soon. The anxiety is killing me.

What is more reliable for STI testing – an STI clinic or a family doctor?

I hear that it hurts to get STI testing. Do they need to stick a swab in my penis?