A sexually transmitted infection (STI) or STD is passed on during a contact with an infected person or during an unprotected sexual intercourse.

Here is a non exhaustive list of the most spread STIs :

Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, HPV, yeast vaginitis, bacterial vaginosis, trichomonas vaginalis, Gonorrhea and Chlamydia, Syphilis, HIV or the human immuno-deficiency virus, Genital warts, Condyloma, Genital herpes (Herpes simplex – type 1 or type 2), chancroid etc.

What are the causes of STIs ?

The STIs are given birth to by viruses, bacteria or other infectious agents (fungi, parasites).

What are the symptoms when one believes to have caught an STI ?

There can appear different symptoms, depending on the STI. Here is a non exhaustive list of the most common symptoms :

Fever or cephalalgia

Wounds, sores, redness of skin and breakouts, pimples at the level of the genitals or at the anal level

Sensation of pain during sexual intercourse

Sensation of pain during urinary mictions

Need to urinate more often

Sensation of abdominal-pelvic pain outside the menses periods

Itching in the anal and/or genital area

Abnormal discharge at the level of the penis or of the anal region

Losses, abnormal or more abundant vaginal discharge

Swelling at the level of the groin

What about the diagnosis of your health condition ?

It is very important to go see a doctor if you suspect having symptoms related to an STI/STD.

The doctor will proceed to a physical examination and will prescribe laboratory tests to undergo either by blood sampling, urinalysis or even by sampling at the level of the affected areas.

The results of these tests will enable him/her to set up a diagnosis and to prescribe the appropriate treatment.

Any STI or STD detection test will always require a medical prescription.

What are the possible treatments ?

Various anti-infectious drugs can be prescribed to you, according to the infection that will have been diagnosed.

E-Zlab Health Services offers countless tests for detecting STIs or STDs.

You can make an appointment 7 days a week with a member of our registered nursing staff, who can go to you in the large metropolitan area of Montreal, Laval-Laurentides and Rive-Sud (the South Shore).

Here is a brief list of most currently required STI tests :

HIV, Syphilis, VDRL or RPR, Gonorrhea by PCR, Chlamydia by PCR, Vaginal culture, Herpes simplex detection, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C.