std test
- Thread starter fabp
- Start date
I got mine done at a walk in clinic along with all the regular blood tests. In total the doctor took out 5 vials of blood (one for the std test) but since the needle is in there anyway, might as well do the general tests. Was in and out in 10 mins and got the results one week later
although the doctor missed my vein and my whole fore arm was bruised! Looked like I was a druggie for 2 weeks, lol.
although the doctor missed my vein and my whole fore arm was bruised! Looked like I was a druggie for 2 weeks, lol.
Hassle Free Clinic, on the corner of Church and Gerrard.
Free, no ID or health card required, completely anonymous testing.
Free, no ID or health card required, completely anonymous testing.
Yes. A very handy stop. If you're a guy they'll default assume you're gay, and may be a little crotchety if you haven't had a meth fuelled orgy lately.
But, for stuff you don't need you family doctor to know I would recommend it, though it has been a long time.edit: It sounds like the OP just had a scare. If you did, wait a bit without putting your dick anyplace but in your hands, then get tested. It usually takes a few days to a couple of weeks for something to show positive on a test. Mind you, if you're freaked out about actual signs, get your ass to a clinic now.
To be honest, without google-fu, I couldn't tell you. Mind you, if you're actually showing signs of something, get to a clinic. If you just did something nasty / grossly unsafe, try to calm down, be safe to others, and wait.
Not quite.
HIV testing is as you have stated.
All other STD testing requires an OHIP card and you are in the system.
HIV testing there is the "quick test" - i.e. on the spot.
STD tesing is urine and goes off to a lab and you get your results in about a week.
Agree with the Options Menu who stated that they do get a little pissy with the straight male crowd. I called to set up HIV testing and such and the very gay dude on the phone basically told me (without saying it point blank) that unless I was a gayboy and engaging in bareback anal not to bother them that they were too busy catering to people who really needed their help (i.e. high risk gay boys.)
I ended up calling back a while later (you cannot just walk in you have to phone for an appointment) and got another gay dude on the phone and he was more open to seeing me. In short, they don't want to deal with straight males because they think that they are there to cater strictly to the gays. The only reason they take straight males at all is because they want their funding.
I was told that if I had had HIV testing withn the last 2 years to call them back after it had been 2 years and 90 days after my last bareback session.
So I lied to them.
They call themselves "Hassle Free" but they are a long way from hassle free if you aren't a gay male.
In a way I can understand their point of view - they would be swamped by idiotic little straight boys and girls who get all paranoid after they stick their cock into a pussy sans condom then want to be tested after every bareback encounter that they have so they can just have another BB session with another person. The reality is that as a hetro male - you are not going to contract HIV by having BBFS from any female and they (Hassle Free) know it, but can't say it. You have better odds of getting hit by a bus. They are there to assist those most at risk.
I agree with everything said in this post, from first hand experience as well, their attitude was not pleasant to me, now I know why, I was straight, lol. Sorry Jen, they say no hassle, but there is a bit of hassle and they do input everything into the system, but they claim it stays in there and won't be revealed to anyone unless there's a positive result, then they notify your doctor and the government if HIV positive. Too much hassle, so I passed.
I've been going to the HFC regularly since I started in this business, and I've never given them a health card, and the only name I've ever used is my scene name. I guess they prefer if you do use your health card (if you have one) for other tests than HIV, but since they also have a policy of not refusing to test anyone (such as people who don't have papers), they won't refuse you if you tell them you don't have a OHIP card.
gen, you are correct.
I am in a southwestern Ontario city, and when I go to get myself tested (at the Regional Health Unit), there is no request for identification, and no need to show an OHIP Card.
There is no judgement, the staff is kind, respectful, and there to help.
I've been tested at HFC probably 4 times over the years, also got my HEP B vaccine there.
They asked for my health card every time I can assure you. And when I've come back, they pull my file.
Even their website says they want your health card for STD Testing other than HIV.
Do I need an Ontario health card?
No. We will not turn anyone away because he has no health card, though if you do have one we would rather you use it unless you have come for HIV testing; no health card number is taken for anonymous HIV testing.
Without a health card number the clinic cannot bill the province. If you forget your card when you come to the clinic for the first time, we would appreciate it if you called us later with the number.
http://www.hasslefreeclinic.org/FAQMen.php
I'm a middle aged middle class white guy. They KNOW just by looking at me that I have an OHIP card and they want it.
I guess indeed that our experiences differ, and that it may be a bit harder for you to pull the "I don't have a health card" that it's been for me. They never made an issue about it with me, but then again, I'm not a middle aged middle class white guy. I do have a file there, but since I never gave them any ID or my real name, they are using my scene name.
They have us both figured out I'm sure. They know what you do for a living and they know what kind of hobby I have partaken in. You don't even have to tell them.
BTW, they always ask me a lot of sharp pointy questions about my sexuality.
Fuck it, I always tell them the truth.
They always give me the lecture.
I nod politely.
They certainly do know what I do for a living. I told them. I figured that if I want to have professional counsel about my health, I should give them all the relevant info about my sexual practices.
I never got a lecture. But I guess it would be counter productive to lecture the very "at risk" people they are trying to get to come over and get tested. My menu is also quite "conservative", comparatively. And judging from what I'm hearing from civilians around me, I'm playing it much safer than a lot of people.
Depends which STD. It can take as early as 3 days for Gonorrhea, or as early as 5 to 10 days for chlamydia, but it can take longer like a few weeks for both as well for marked symptoms to manifest. For HIV antibodies, I was told around 3 months.
I called once, and they had limited hours for guys. Being downtown didn't help for this suburb guy. So I went to a Doctor's Clinic and got results in a week, but I think Hassle Free can expedite results (perhaps Genevieve would know, or one of the ladies here).
My own physician asks too many qusetions if I wanted to go for regular testing (not just with my annual physical or 'condom break scare'), so I went to a Doctor's Walk-In Clinic. They were quite liberal and non-judgmental. He said 'you can come in every week if you change sex partners that often'.
You're right but my doctor only knew that for chlamydia and not Gonorrhea (it's called DNA amplificiation using urine as the sample, which I learned from another doctor from my test at a walk-in clinic). My doc would've used the the 'dip-stick' method to test for G. (OUCH!).
When I had a condom break concern, he used the dip stick method because it was more accurate, given that I didn't have any penile discharge (just my subjective suspicions of discomfort or tickling?). My suspicions proved false as I got a clean result, and I felt more confident from that dip stick test for that scenario. It only feels like a small prick (pun not intended ahem).
