Getting tested for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) is a normal, responsible part of looking after your health, and there is nothing to feel awkward about. If your doctor or nurse practitioner has ordered STI bloodwork, you can have it collected at Bio-Test Laboratory here in the Ottawa region. This guide explains which infections are checked through blood, how confidentiality works, and what to expect when you come in.
Which STIs are blood tests and which are not
Not every STI is detected the same way. Some infections are screened through a blood sample, while others are checked using a swab or a urine sample. Your provider decides which tests to order based on your history and any symptoms.
Infections typically screened through blood include:
- HIV
- Hepatitis B
- Hepatitis C
- Syphilis
Other common infections are usually checked a different way. Chlamydia and gonorrhea, for example, are most often tested using a urine sample or a swab rather than a blood draw. If your requisition includes both blood tests and a urine or swab sample, our staff will guide you through each step during your visit.
You need a requisition first
As with most lab work in Ontario, STI testing must be ordered by an authorized provider such as a physician, nurse practitioner, or midwife. That order comes on a lab requisition, which you bring to us along with your Ontario health card. A requisition is generally valid for six months from the date it is signed. If you do not yet have a requisition, book an appointment with your family doctor, a nurse practitioner, or a sexual health clinic to discuss testing.
Confidentiality: who sees your results
Your results are private health information. When your bloodwork is complete, results are released to the provider who ordered the test, and you can also view them yourself through our patient portal. Results are handled with the same care and privacy protections as any other medical test. If you have questions about who can access your results, ask the provider who ordered them; they can explain how your information is shared within your circle of care.
Window periods: timing matters
It is worth knowing that some infections do not show up on a test right away. There is a period after exposure, often several weeks, when an infection may not yet be detectable even if it is present. This is called the window period, and it varies by infection. Because of this, your provider may recommend testing at a specific time, or repeating a test later to be sure. Follow the timing your provider suggests rather than assuming a single early test rules everything out.
Ottawa Public Health is also an option
Bio-Test is one convenient place to have ordered STI bloodwork collected, but it is not the only route. Ottawa Public Health runs sexual health clinics that offer testing and counselling, and some people prefer that setting. Both options are valid; choose whatever feels most comfortable and accessible for you. What matters most is that you get tested when you need to.
Walk-in collection at Bio-Test
Most bloodwork at Bio-Test is walk-in, no appointment needed, on a first-come, first-served basis, so you can come in on your own schedule. Bring your Ontario health card and your requisition to any of our 11 locations across Ottawa-Carleton and Eastern Ontario. Mornings tend to be busiest, so a mid-morning or afternoon visit is often quieter. Results are typically ready within about a day and appear in the patient portal. If getting to a location is difficult, home collection can be arranged by request for a fee; call us at 613-789-4242. However you come in, your visit is handled discreetly and respectfully.