Sex Friendly Manitoba

Nine Circles Community Health Centre answers questions about sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections to get the word out. Please scroll through our posts about safer sex, transmission, testing, harm reduction, etc… to find what you are looking for. You can also browse popular keywords by clicking SEARCH. If you don’t see your question here click ASK to submit one for our Health Educators to answer.

I understand general screenings for STI is free in Canada but for herpes if you don't have any symptoms you need to get a blood test. Are these blood tests also free? Is it possible to get a blood test every week if you often have different partners?

Your willingness to get tested for STIs (sexually transmitted infections) and find more information on testing is a great step. You’re correct that STI testing is free in Canada, and … Read Full Answer

I recently tried meth for the first and last time. My friend who does it often said she cut her tongue on the right side, she thinks she bite herself, due to being high on meth. We shared a meth pipe and I wanted to know what are the risks of sharing that pipe ? Don't know if that was an actual cut on her tongue need to know if I should get oral testing ?

Sharing equipment like a meth pipe increases your chances of being exposed to an infection. Tiny amounts of blood from a cut or cracked lips can transmit … Read Full Answer

I am pregnant with my second baby, I was tested for sti’s routinely in October and it said negative. I was tested again a few weeks ago routinely as well in the pregnancy and it came back that I have Chlamydia.

A chlamydia test is done either through a urine sample or a swab of the cervix (or a swab of the urethra for people who have a penis.) You report being tested for STIs … Read Full Answer

Someone told me that when you're injecting meth, if you let someone else inject you (instead of doing it for yourself) that it's riskier for HIV and Hep C. If that's true, why?

This is a useful question, as people who are not sure how to inject for themselves, may have friends or other people inject them. Research has shown that this may increase the risk … Read Full Answer

If I'm on syphilis treatment and I touch my sore by mistake can I reinfect myself while being on medication...and is it safe to masturbate while on treatment for syphilis?

There’s not a lot of literature on this specific question, but if you’ve had syphilis medication recently, masturbation (sexually pleasuring yourself) does not pose any re-infection risk … Read Full Answer

My friend had lesions on her nose, got it scraped (tested) and it ended up being diagnosed as HSV 2. Never touched her face or had oral, had protected genital intercourse twice (condom). Is there a risk of catching genital herpes? I’m so confused

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) is one of the most common viruses infecting humans. Symptoms can range from none to mild to severe. Although there is no cure for herpes infection, it can be managed with … Read Full Answer

Could a person be infected with HIV through a winter cold abrasive back of hand skin in contact with pre-ejaculatory liquid?

HIV is present in pre-ejaculatory fluids of a person living with HIV. Theoretically transmission could occur if the fluid comes in direct contact with the blood stream of another person through mucus membranes or broken skin. However it is … Read Full Answer

If I were curious, is it possible to determine whether I contracted HIV from either needle-sharing or sexual contact?

It’s not common that people diagnosed with HIV, medically trace how they contracted it. People who get tested for HIV routinely … Read Full Answer

Are hemorrhoids a sexually transmitted disease? I get them occasionally, so do I need to be careful about sex?

Hemorrhoids are not a sexually transmitted infection. Sex with someone who has hemorrhoids … Read Full Answer

If my partner has HIV and we use a condom, what is the risk of getting HIV?

Wearing a condom is a effective tool for preventing transmission of HIV. Studies have found that condoms fail when they break, slip or leak during sex. So wearing condoms … Read Full Answer

Do I need ID to get tested for syphillis, gonnorhhea, or HIV?

Here in Manitoba, the best piece of ID to bring to a medical appointment is your Manitoba Health Card. In many cases, it’s the only piece of identification that the health care provider will need … Read Full Answer

I got tested at an event and they squeezed some blood from my finger onto a piece paper. I think it was for HIV. Does that sound right? Is it accurate?

It sounds like you were tested with dried blood spot testing.This type of testing is approved in Canada and is accurate.
Dried blood spot testing … Read Full Answer

Where can I take my full container of needles?

Careful disposal of used needles reduces the chances that the people in your space and your community accidentally re-use or get poked by a used needle. This is a great example of harm reduction … Read Full Answer

Can STIs can be passed even if no one cums?

Yes. Many sexually transmitted infections don’t rely on cum (ejaculate) to pass from person to person, so you can exchange STIs even if no one cums. While it’s true that cum can carry STIs … Read Full Answer

What's the best way to prevent HIV?

Great question, with lots of answers. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to preventing HIV, rather there are many tools that work for many people. When choosing the right option for you … Read Full Answer

I met up with a guy at a bath house. We had an agreement that he would use a condom. He put one on, but afterwards I noticed the condom was removed. What do I do now?

There are a few services you may want to access to check your sexual/physical health and perhaps manage your mental/emotional health … Read Full Answer

I work over nights in a home to care for 2 residents. One is HIV positive. They told me not to wear latex gloves when I am working with him or helping him in the bathroom. Is that true?

HIV is not transmitted during casual contact or skin to skin contact. Helping someone use the bathroom is not a mode of HIV transmission. The two main ways … Read Full Answer

Can I use Doxycycline antibiotics daily as prevention for syphilis, gonorrhea or chlamydia?

The short answer is no, you can’t use Doxycycline antibiotics daily to prevent syphilis, gonorrhea or chlamydia. Currently, there are research studies and clinical trials digging deeper into your question … Read Full Answer