STI screening in complete autonomy

Chlamydia is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI). It is caused by a bacterium called Chlamydia trachomatis.

Symptoms may appear within 2-6 weeks following contact with the bacterium:

• Burning sensation when urinating
• Change or increase in vaginal discharge
• Clear or milky discharge from the penis
• Burning or itching on the glans, inside the penis or near the rectum
• Pain in and/or swelling of the testicles
• Pain in the lower abdomen

It is important to note that most people do not have symptoms.

The screening window period is 14 days. Consult our tool to learn more about the window period specific to each STI.

To know more: Chlamydia: Transmission, symptoms and screening

Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by a bacterium called Neisseria gonorrhea.

• The following symptoms may appear:
• Thick, yellowish vaginal or rectal discharge
• Thick, greenish-yellow discharge from the penis or rectum
• Burning or itching on the glans, inside the penis or near the rectum
• Pain in and swelling of the testicles
• Burning sensation when urinating
• Pain in the lower abdomen

Most people do not experience any symptoms.

The screening window period is 14 days. Consult our tool to learn more about the window period specific to each STI.

Learn more: Gonorrhea: Transmission, symptoms and screening

Hepatitis B is a very serious viral STI that attacks the liver and leads to chronic liver disease, cirrhosis or liver cancer.

These are the main symptoms:

• Fatigue
• Fever
• Headaches
• Loss of appetite
• Vomiting
• Abdominal pain
• Jaundice

The screening window period is 7 days to 12 weeks. Consult our tool to learn more about the window period specific to each STI.

Learn more: Hepatitis A, B and C: Transmission, symptoms and screening

Hepatitis C is a viral infection that attacks the liver and can cause chronic and fatal liver disease (cirrhosis, cancer).

The main symptoms of hepatitis C are the following:

• Fatigue
• Jaundice
• Dark urine and pale stools
• Abdominal pain
• Nausea, vomiting, poor appetite

The screening window period is 6 to 12 weeks. Consult our tool to learn more about the window period specific to each STI.

Learn more: Hepatitis A, B and C: Transmission, symptoms and screening

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by a bacterium called Treponema pallidum.

The infection develops in three stages with the first symptoms appearing between 10 days and 3 months after exposure.

Primary stage symptoms:

• Appearance of a painless ulcer (canker sore) in or around the mouth, genitals or anus
• Swelling or inflammation of the lymph nodes which may last from one to six weeks before subsiding

The screening window period is 10 days to 12 weeks. Consult our tool to learn more about the window period specific to each STI.

Learn more: Syphilis: Transmission, symptoms and screening

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is the virus that causes acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). It attacks and weakens the immune system, rendering it no longer able to fight infections and viruses.

Some people with HIV develop general symptoms similar to those found in people with other health problems such as these:

• Chronic vaginal yeast infections
• Persistent fatigue
• Unexplained weight loss
• Diarrhea
• Swollen lymph nodes (neck, armpits or groin area)
• Fever or night sweats
• Oral thrush (thick, persistent, whitish granulations on the tongue or in the mouth)

The screening window period is 14 days à 12 weeks. Consult our tool to learn more about the window period specific to each STI.

Learn more: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and AIDS: Transmission, symptoms and screening

HPV is transmitted from person to person through direct skin-to-skin contact and sexual contact. The HPV, is one of the most contagious sexually-transmitted infections, affecting around 75% of sexually-active Canadian women and men in their lifetime.

Learn more : Transmission, symptoms and screening for human papillomavirus (HPV)