After much procrastination, I finally took the plunge and went to get myself tested for STIs and HIV. This is something that all sexually active individuals ought to do, regardless of how low the chances of them thinking they have any of the conditions are.
I had put it off because I had heard from more than one source that it hurt like hell. That they jabbed something up your urethra, and that it was really unpleasant. As it turns out, that procedure has since been replaced with a pee test.
The tests for STIs for me were as follows:
- Two swabs from the mouth. Painless.
- Pee in a cup. Painless.
- Two swabs from the rectum. Pleasurable.
- Blood draw. Painless.
The HIV testing is done by pricking your finger, and the results are instant – though interestingly enough, a test done today identifies whether you’re HIV negative or questionable 12 weeks ago. So having taken my test on September 23rd, I found out that on June 23rd, I was HIV negative. If I wanted to know whether I was HIV negative today, I’d have to take the test in 12 weeks.
The HIV test was the only one where the results were instant. For the others, the results come in about 3-4 weeks after the test. If you’re sexually active, I’d strongly suggest that you get tested – and contrary to popular belief: it doesn’t hurt!
Comments
2 responses to “Getting tested for STIs and HIV”
Although a somewhat unpleasant topic – I too heard, and ensuingly cringed, about the swab up the urethra – getting tested is very important! And not just if you’re sexually active, but also if you partake in intravenous drug (hi mom!), visit places with risks of hepatitis (word up Kanata!), etc.
You’re 100% right. It’s not just the sexually active who should get tested.
Maybe I’m wrong with this, but I feel that there’s also some stigma attached to getting tested. Mainstream Canadian culture is pretty reserved when it comes to matters associated with sexuality, and I wonder if that’s acting as an impediment.