Testing STI Positive

When you get tested for a sexually transmitted infection, your healthcare provider will get the results to share with you, regardless of whether they are positive or negative. All positive results are reportable BY LAW to public health (see Reportable STIs). The lab sends positive results to Manitoba Health to be distributed to the correct public health office. Although Manitoba Health and your public health nurse need to be able to contact you about a positive STI test, your personal information (name, address, etc.) is never publicly shared; it is protected by law under the Personal Health Information Act (PHIA).

If you test positive, a public health nurse will get in touch with you or your healthcare provider to make sure that correct testing, treatment, and possible follow-up is done. A contact interview is done to help stop the spread of the infection to past and present sexual contacts. Your healthcare provider should do the contact interview. If it has not been done, the public health nurse will help you with this.

Sexual contacts need to be notified so that they are aware they have been exposed to an STI and have access to testing and treatment. This helps to break the chain of infection so that we can have healthy sexual encounters and a healthy community. Contacts can be made by the individual or by the public health nurse, if help is needed. Your sexual contact(s) will never be told who provided their name to the public health nurse; your confidentiality will be strictly maintained.

Many people have identified that they are intimidated when they are contacted by a public health nurse. The role of public health is to reduce the rates of STIs through support, education, prevention, and health promotion. They are not trying to stop you from having an enjoyable sex life with whomever you choose, but to help make sex safe and therefore pleasurable for all.

Public health nurses can be a good source for sexual health information and resources. Often they can link you with the various supports and services that might be required to maintain or improve your well being.