Search results
Search results for "rapid test"
Preventing STIs An STI is caused when a bacteria, virus, or parasite is passed from one person to another during sexual contact. Some kinds of sex have a lower chance of passing STIs. For example, the chance of passing an STI is much less...
If you have one of these STIs, you may be wondering about how this will affect your sex life. Some common concerns include how to manage symptoms and how to talk to partners. Some people feel sad, angry, fearful or uncertain about what...
In most cases, PEP stops HIV from establishing itself in the body and will prevent you from becoming HIV positive. To be effective, the treatment needs to be started as soon as possible in the first 72 hours after exposure. The treatment...
Window periods are based on averages or statistics from studies. Different HIV tests have different window periods. As HIV testing technology improves, window periods may become more specific or even get shorter. HIV tests used in British...
What is anonymous HIV testing? In British Columbia, there are a number of ways that you can get an HIV test. With anonymous HIV testing your name is not attached to your result and your contact information is never collected. You are...
During this time, there are very high levels of HIV in the body. This is known as a high viral load. When a person has a high viral load, they can easily pass HIV to others. Causes When a person gets HIV, the virus makes copies called CD4...
A new condom should be used every time you have sex, with each new partner, and when switching from anal to oral or vaginal/internal genital penetration. The condom should be applied before sexual contact occurs. Condoms can be used...
The goal of HIV treatment is to reach an “undetectable” viral load. This means that HIV is suppressed to such a low level that the viral load test is not able to detect any virus in the blood. “Undetectable” does not mean that there is no...
The INSTI test kit is the only rapid HIV test that is licenced for use in Canada. The test uses a few drops of blood, which are taken from a finger poke. People who test negative will know their result within a few minutes. If the test is...
The EC pill contains one hormone called progesterone and is given as one pill single dose, which should be taken as soon as possible after unprotected sex. It can be taken up to five days after sex, but sooner is better. Plan B and...
There are many types of birth control to choose from and it is important to find the method that works best for you. Most methods of birth control do not prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Condoms can lower the chances of...
PrEP is different from PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis), as PrEP is taken before exposure to HIV and may be taken on a long-term basis. How does it work? PrEP usually comes as a combination tablet that contains two medications called...
Causes HIV is passed through vaginal and anal sexual contact. This includes both penetrative sex and sexual activities where there is an exchange of body fluids. There is a very low chance that HIV may be passed through oral...
HAART prevents the HIV virus from making copies of itself and limits how much virus is in the body. The level of virus in the blood is called ‘viral load’. When the viral load is low or “undetectable”, there is less harm to the body’s...