Routine screening for STIs is a common and highly recommended
measure in keeping Adult Entertainment workers disease-free.
The following procedures have been put in place to meet this need.
Visiting a Clinic
Free and confidential testing is available at many clinics in British Columbia locations. To find a clinic near you, please see our Clinic Locator.
Special Note: Please make sure you bring picture ID to the clinic at the time of testing and when you return for your results.
Testing at the Clinics
For women the screening involves tests from the cervix and blood tests, and
for men a swab from the urethra, a urine test and blood tests. Men should not
urinate in the 2 hours prior to the exam.
The routine tests we provide are:
- Gonorrhea
- Chlamydia
- Syphilis
- HIV
Other routine tests for women include:
- Trichomonas
- Bacterial Vaginosis (BV). BV is not a sexually transmitted infection. It
is caused by an overgrowth of normal germs (bacteria) in the vagina and a loss
of the normal lactobacillus bacteria.
- Vaginal Yeast. This also is not a sexually transmitted infection, it is an
overgrowth of the naturally occurring vaginal yeast.
Other testing:
At your first visit you will be tested for Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B as well
as Hepatitis C.
It is important to note that you may already be immune to Hepatitis A and/or
Hepatitis B. If you are not immune you will be offered immunization.
Hepatitis A immunization is a series of 2 shots
6-12 months apart.
Hepatitis B immunization is a series of 3 shots over 6 months.
Hepatitis C is primarily transmitted through injection drug
use and blood transfusions. There is a low risk of sexual transmission. No immunization
is available for Hepatitis C. It is recommended that the Hepatitis C test be
done every 6 months.
HIV Testing
A blood test is taken for HIV. This result takes 2 weeks to be returned from the laboratory and you must return in person to receive these results.
All other STD results are available one week after testing by phone. Hepatitis results my take over 2 weeks to be completed.
Special Note: You need to return to the clinic with picture ID to collect hard copies of these results.
Human Papillomavirus (HPV or genital warts)
There are currently no effective screening tests for Human Papillomavirus.
Herpes (Herpes Simplex Virus or HSV)
Current herpes screening is only useful in some circumstances.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
We would like to thank Dr Sharon Mitchell, founder of the Adult Industry Medical
Health Care Foundation in Sherman Oaks, California, for her advice and support.
