STIs and STBBIs: What Do I Do If I Test Positive?

This article was written by SafeLink Alberta’s Community Outreach Coordinator and Kayla Smith, Systems Navigator, Medicine Hat Support Services. Editing by Oluwaseun Ayodeji Osowobi and Alisha Ostberg.

First off, what is an STI or STBBI?

An STI is a sexually transmitted infection; an STBBI is a sexually transmitted and blood-borne infection. The most commonly used acronym is STI, but we use STBBI because it is more inclusive of how these infections are transmitted. At SafeLink Alberta, our mission is dedicated to preventing the transmission of STBBIs.

Many people will get an STBBI in their lifetime, and it is nothing to be ashamed of.

What are some common STBBIs?

• Chlamydia
• Gonorrhea
• HIV
• Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
• Syphilis
• Herpes simplex virus (HSV 1 and HSV 2)
• Hepatitis B (HBV)
• Hepatitis C (HCV)

Getting Tested

There are numerous reasons a person can seek out STBBI testing, such as:

• Experiencing an incident with potential STBBI transmission, such as a condom breaking, particularly when the partner’s status is unknown.
• Receiving a notification from a previous partner or a partner notification nurse about potential exposure to someone who tested positive for an STBBI.
• Wanting to include testing as part of their regular healthcare routine and wellness.

Where to Get Tested in Calgary and Medicine Hat

SafeLink Alberta offers in-house testing in partnership with Alberta Health Services.

For more testing options in Alberta, visit our Testing Page:

Testing Clinics

Testing Positive

Regardless of the reason for testing, what matters most is how we respond to a positive STBBI result. Prompt action can prevent further transmission and reduce the risk of complications, ensuring better personal health outcomes.

So, I tested positive for an STBBI – what now? A cascade of care comes into play when following up on a positive test result.

Connect to Care

First, we want to connect you to care—a healthcare professional who can confirm your STBBI test result and explain and follow up on information that may be required for your care and treatment.

Provide a List of Contacts

Second, provide a list of known contacts who may have been exposed. This will allow us or a partner notification nurse to contact them confidentially without revealing your identity.

Get Onto Treatment

The third step is to start your treatment as quickly as possible. While most STBBIs can be treated and cured with antibiotics, you need to be connected to care and receive a prescription from a medical professional. Although HIV is not curable, it is treatable. Effective treatment prevents transmission (U = U) and requires ongoing medication, blood work, and virus monitoring.

Follow Guidance and Continue Treatment

Last but not least is to ensure that the treatment options provided have been effective and to follow your medical advice on sexual activity. Engaging in safer sex practices, using sterile supplies if using substances, and undergoing regular STBBI testing and follow-ups to ensure ongoing prevention is effective is critical to your sexual health and well-being.

Reduce Future Risks with Prevention

Getting tested, knowing your status, getting positive treatment, and completing the treatment help reduce your risk of future exposure to STBBIs.

Testing Positive for HIV

Testing positive for HIV can be shocking and emotional. But you are not alone. There are others like you, and a community here to help. With the proper treatment, care and support, HIV can be managed, and you can live a long and healthy life. You can ask for support at SafeLink Alberta at any step in this process.

If you used an HIV self-test kit, you would need to follow up for confirmatory testing. Self-testing allows you to take your health into your own hands. You do not have to make any decisions immediately, but we recommend being connected to care as soon as you are able.

You can access confirmatory testing at SafeLink Alberta in both Calgary and Medicine Hat and through Alberta Health Services. If you need additional resources, we recommend this guide from CATIE: If you just found out…

Need Additional Support?

We understand that there are barriers to getting tested for STBBIs, and if you test positive, it can be an emotional experience. You can get additional, non-judgemental support at SafeLink Alberta. We offer emotional support, connection to peer support, testing, and access to STBBI prevention materials, like free safer sex and safer substance use supplies.

Contact Us

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