Sexually Transmitted & Bloodborne Infections
STBBI Testing Recommendations
Routine Testing is recommended for everyone who is sexually active
1
Before sex with a new partner
2
If the client or their partner(s) have an STI symptom
3
Yearly if the client hasn’t had an STI test in the last 12 months
All routine testing should include:
Urine NAAT for Gonorrhea and Chlamydia
Blood work for HIV, Hep C & Syphilis
NAAT swabs for Gonorrhea & Chlamydia if the client had rectal or pharyngeal exposure
Symptomatic clients also need:
Culture swabs of symptomatic sites for Gonorrhea
Lab Requisitions & Specimen Requirements:
In Saskatchewan, STBBI testing is done at a combination of the Roy Romanow Provincial Lab and local labs across the province. Each lab will have requisitions, specimen containers and requirements unique to that lab.
Contact your local lab if you are unsure which requisition & specimen containers to use in your area.
X
Window Period
Every STI has a unique window period. This is the time between the exposure to an STI and when that STI will produce a positive test result.
If initial STI testing is negative, ensure clients are re-tested after the window period.
- HIV & Hep C – 12 week window period
- Syphilis – 8 week window period
- Chlamydia & Gonorrhea have no window period. If treated as a case, re-test for “Test of Cure” after 3-4 weeks.
