Getting test results
Your STI test results are usually ready after about one week. Ask your healthcare provider how you will receive your results.
Clinics will usually only contact you if you have an infection or if you need follow-up care.
Health Gateway is British Columbia’s online portal where you can see your health records. If you are registered with the BC Medical Services Plan and used your real name and personal health number (PHN) for testing you can view your laboratory test results in Health Gateway.
We have developed a resource to help you set up your Health Gateway account and understand what different lab results mean.
While you are waiting
If you have symptoms or are taking treatment, it is important to avoid any sexual contact until you and your partners have finished the treatment. Talk to your health care provider if you have questions.
If you are feeling worried
Feeling worried or anxious about STI testing is completely normal.
Understand your feelings
You may be feeling worried or anxious while waiting for test results. Often this is because of guilt, shame or stigma around sex, or just feeling unsure about what comes next.
Have a look at this resource for information and strategies about sexual health anxiety in a way that respects your experiences.
Reach out for support
If you feel worried or anxious about your sexual health, know that your feelings are valid.
Find out if you can call in, or need to return for your test results. If you cannot be contacted by phone, talk with your health care provider about how you will get your results.
Negative results
A negative test result means you do not have an STI.
A test taken too early may not be accurate, so be aware of the window period. A test taken before or during the window period might be too soon for a test to tell if you have an STI, even if the test result is negative. If this happens, you might want to test again later.
Positive results
A positive result means you have an STI and will need treatment or follow-up.
If your test show that you have an STI, a healthcare provider will contact you to talk about what you can do next. They will connect you to care based on your health coverage, if you have any, and will discuss ways you can talk to your partners if you have a reportable STI.
Your healthcare provider may also recommend that you do not have any sexual contact for a period of time, or until you have finished treatment.
Confidentiality & how your information is protected
There are systems and laws to protect your confidentiality and privacy, like the BC Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. Your medical records are only used for your clinical care and, in some cases, by public health.
Any information shared with a health care provider is confidential, including test results. When you go for STI testing, you may be asked for personal information such as your name, birth date, Medical Services Plan (BC Care Card) number, contact information (like phone number, address and email) and health history. This information is used to give the best health care, order tests and to contact you about the results.
Youth and confidentiality
If you are under the age of 19, you can get confidential health care if a health care provider considers you old enough to make your own decisions about your health. This means your health care provider must keep your information private. They cannot contact your parents or guardians without your permission.
There are some exceptions to confidentiality for youth. If you, or any other youth under 19, are being harmed or are at risk of harm, the health care provider is required by law to report it to the proper authorities. This law is meant to help keep youth and children safe from abuse.
Many youth choose to go to youth clinics. These clinics offer free STI testing to youth – many youth clinics service people under the age of 24, but call the youth clinic nearest to you to find out the age cut-off.
Who will see my STI test results?
There are systems and laws to protect your confidentiality and privacy, like the BC Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. Your medical records are only used for your clinical care and, in some cases, by public health. They are not shared with legal authorities, employers, or anyone else without your permission.
Healthcare providers
The healthcare provider who ordered your tests, will always get a copy of your results. Other providers may be able to access some test results if needed for your clinical care or your immigration medical exam, but your information is always kept private and confidential.
For people younger than 19: If a healthcare provider thinks someone younger than 19 could be harmed, they have to report it to the authorities by law, to make sure the young person is safe.
Public Health
Public health collects information about diagnosis of some STIs and uses it to understand population trends and plan better programs and services. This does not affect you as an individual in any way.
STIs in Canada that are monitored by public health (known as ‘reportable infections’):
- Chlamydia
- Gonorrhea
- HIV
- Hepatitis A, B, and C
- Syphilis
Can my employer ask me about my test results?
In general, you do not need to share your test results or health information with your employer. However, there may be times when it’s reasonable to discuss aspects of your health if it affects your ability to work or if you require special accommodations. If you have questions about your rights or if an employer is requesting medical information, seek advice. Your well-being and rights matter.
Will my family members be able to see my results?
No. Your family members will only see your results if you share it with them. Your healthcare provider will not share these results with family members.
Will my spouse or partner be able to see my test results?
No. Your spouse (husband or wife) or partner will only see your results if you share it with them. Your healthcare provider will not share these results with your partner(s).
If you are diagnosed with a reportable STI, you should talk to your recent sexual partner(s). We have more information about this in the next section.
Can the police or legal authorities see my test results?
No. The police or legal authorities do not have access to your test results.
Immigrating to Canada and your medical exam
If you are a refugee or applying to stay in Canada, you’ll likely undergo an immigration medical exam from an approved doctor. These tests include HIV, syphilis, and Hepatitis C testing and are part of the immigration process. The federal government, specifically Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will get the results of your medical exam and tests.
Will my STI test result impact my immigration application?
Your health status generally will not impact your immigration application. For refugee claimants, having an STI will not change your status in Canada based on the immigration medical exam results. However, for non-refugee claimants, there may be rare circumstances where these results affect your application status.
Do I need other STI tests if I already did the immigration medical exam?
The immigration medical exam does not include some of the most common STIs, so it’s a good idea to get a sexual health check-up, especially if you have not had STI testing before or recently. Find a clinic or healthcare provider that offers these services to make sure you have complete care.
Where is STI testing information stored?
A record of your test results are kept at your health care provider’s office or electronic medical health record system.
Information about lab tests is stored in the laboratory databases where the specimens are process or tested. In BC, lab results are also kept in a provincial laboratory system called the Provincial Laboratory Information System (PLIS). The purpose of this electronic health record is so that your health care provider will be able to see relevant parts of your health care record.
For more information about electronic health systems in BC including PLIS, and more options for controlling access to your health information in these systems, you can visit eHealth, Ministry of Health.
Access to information is based on the health care provider’s role and whether they need the information in order to provide care according to the Communicable Disease Regulation of the Public Health Act .
Reportable infections
For STIs that are monitored under public health (also called reportable infections), positive results are shared with the Medical Health Officer (MHO) of the appropriate health authority. This reporting is done so that public health nurses can offer support to a person with a new diagnosis, ensure the notification and testing of partners and monitor the number of new infections.
Contacting partners about testing
If you have a reportable STI, your health care provider will talk with you about how you want to tell your sexual partners. The purpose is to get people tested and treated and to stop the STI from being passed on to other partners.