Testing for HIV and STIs
HIV and STI testing is a powerful tool in our sexual health toolkit. Testing gives us information and access to treatment that limits the impact untreated STIs can have on our bodies. Knowing our status and treating any STIs we might have reduces the chances of transmitting STIs to our sexual partners.
Testing options in the Okanagan
Kelowna
HIM PLUS – On the Go
Connect confidentially with a HIM Staff member who will connect you directly to a local Health Outreach Nurse. Health Outreach Nurses provide free HIV and STI testing, treatment, information, and can help link you with services that might be right for you. If you can’t get to their office or if confidentiality in your small community is of concern, Outreach nurses offer services that are 100% mobile
Call us at 236-688-4153 for a confidential conversation to learn more and to connect with a Health Outreach Nurse near you.
HIM PLUS – Upcoming Testing Events in Kelowna
Testing events by appointment are being held in Kelowna as follows:
- When: February 6, 2023: 1 PM to 4 PM and March 6, 2023: 1 PM to 4 PM
- Where: LPRC 255 Lawrence Avenue, Kelowna
- How: Call 778-753-5830 ext. 101 to book your free appointment or to get connected to other testing options. All conversations are kept private and confidential.
Outreach Urban Health
This is one of ten Primary Health Care Centres available within Interior Health communities.
Each centre has an interdisciplinary healthcare team that provides a range of services in a single site – i.e. a checkup with your family doctor, a visit to a physiotherapist, pharmacist, or public health nurse. The selection of services offered in each Primary Health Care Centre reflects the unique needs of its community. Call to book an appointment for testing.
Valley Medical Labs
All Valley Medical labs in the Okanagan offer on-demand HIV testing. Walk-ins accepted. No appointment Required.
Options for Sexual Health
Options clinics provide birth control counselling, low-cost contraceptives, sexually transmitted infection (STI) screening, cervical screening, pregnancy testing, pro-choice pregnancy options counselling, and general sexual health information and referrals. Services are LGBTQ2S+ friendly and for all ages in most locations.
Penticton
HIM PLUS – On the Go
Connect confidentially with a HIM Staff member who will connect you directly to a local Health Outreach Nurse. Health Outreach Nurses provide free HIV and STI testing, treatment, information, and can help link you with services that might be right for you. If you can’t get to their office or if confidentiality in your small community is of concern, Outreach nurses offer services that are 100% mobile
Call us at 236-688-4153 for a confidential conversation to learn more and to connect with a Health Outreach Nurse near you.
HIM PLUS – Testing Events
Need confidential HIV/STI testing, treatment, or want to talk to a friendly nurse about sexual health?
HIM PLUS is hosted by and for GBQ guys and gender diverse people, and is a program that offers the affirming sexual health services we deserve. This includes those of us who aren’t out, or don’t like to label ourselves.
Upcoming HIM PLUS testing events in Penticton:
- When? January 12th 2023, February 9th 2023, March 16th 2023 and more to be scheduled soon!
- What time? 7pm-8pm
- Where? Penticton Health Centre, 740 Carmi Ave.
- How? Make your free appointment or learn more about the program by calling or texting HIM at 236-688-4153.
All conversations are kept private and confidential.
Penticton Urgent and Primary Care
This is one of ten Primary Health Care Centres available within Interior Health communities.
Each centre has an interdisciplinary healthcare team that provides a range of services in a single site – i.e. a checkup with your family doctor, a visit to a physiotherapist, pharmacist, or public health nurse. The selection of services offered in each Primary Health Care Centre reflects the unique needs of its community. Call to book an appointment for testing.
Valley Medical Labs
All Valley Medical labs in the Okanagan offer on-demand HIV testing. Walk-ins accepted. No appointment Required.
Options for Sexual Health
Options clinics provide birth control counselling, low-cost contraceptives, sexually transmitted infection (STI) screening, cervical screening, pregnancy testing, pro-choice pregnancy options counselling, and general sexual health information and referrals. Services are LGBTQ2S+ friendly and for all ages in most locations.
Vernon
HIM PLUS – On the Go
Connect confidentially with a HIM Staff member who will connect you directly to a local Health Outreach Nurse. Health Outreach Nurses provide free HIV and STI testing, treatment, infromation, and can help link you with services that might be right for you. If you can’t get to their office or if confidentiality in your small community is of concern, Outreach nurses offer services that are 100% mobile
Call us at 236-688-4153 for a confidential conversation to learn more and to connect with a Health Outreach Nurse near you.
Downtown Mental Health and Substance Use
This is one of ten Primary Health Care Centres available within Interior Health communities.
Each centre has an interdisciplinary healthcare team that provides a range of services in a single site – i.e. a checkup with your family doctor, a visit to a physiotherapist, pharmacist, or public health nurse. The selection of services offered in each Primary Health Care Centre reflects the unique needs of its community. Call to book an appointment for testing.
Valley Medical Labs
All Valley Medical labs in the Okanagan offer on-demand HIV testing. Walk-ins accepted. No appointment Required.
Options for Sexual Health
Options clinics provide birth control counselling, low-cost contraceptives, sexually transmitted infection (STI) screening, cervical screening, pregnancy testing, pro-choice pregnancy options counselling, and general sexual health information and referrals. Services are LGBTQ2S+ friendly and for all ages in most locations.
Testing options in Thompson – Caribou
Kamloops
HIM PLUS – On the Go
Connect confidentially with a HIM Staff member who will connect you directly to a local Health Outreach Nurse. Health Outreach Nurses provide free HIV and STI testing, treatment, information, and can help link you with services that might be right for you. If you can’t get to their office or if confidentiality in your small community is of concern, Outreach nurses offer services that are 100% mobile
Call us at 236-688-4153 for a confidential conversation to learn more and to connect with a Health Outreach Nurse near you.
Get Checked Online
GetCheckedOnline is a free and confidential online sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing service offered by the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC).
Kamloops Primary Care Centre
This is one of ten Primary Health Care Centres available within Interior Health communities.
Each centre has an interdisciplinary healthcare team that provides a range of services in a single site – i.e. a checkup with your family doctor, a visit to a physiotherapist, pharmacist, or public health nurse. The selection of services offered in each Primary Health Care Centre reflects the unique needs of its community. Call to book an appointment for testing.
Options for Sexual Health
Options clinics provide birth control counselling, low-cost contraceptives, sexually transmitted infection (STI) screening, cervical screening, pregnancy testing, pro-choice pregnancy options counselling, and general sexual health information and referrals. Services are LGBTQ2S+ friendly and for all ages in most locations.
Testing options in the Kootenays
Nelson
HIM PLUS – On the Go
Connect confidentially with a HIM Staff member who will connect you directly to a local Health Outreach Nurse. Health Outreach Nurses provide free HIV and STI testing, treatment, infromation, and can help link you with services that might be right for you. If you can’t get to their office or if confidentiality in your small community is of concern, Outreach nurses offer services that are 100% mobile
Call us at 236-688-4153 for a confidential conversation to learn more and to connect with a Health Outreach Nurse near you.
HIM PLUS – Testing Events
HIM and Interior Health and ANKORS partner to offer regular, 1 – day, testing opportunities at various events and locations throughout the Interior of British Columbia with our local community partner, ANKORS. Reach out to them at 18004212437 to learn more about an upcoming event in the Kootenay region.
Options for Sexual Health
Options clinics provide birth control counselling, low-cost contraceptives, sexually transmitted infection (STI) screening, cervical screening, pregnancy testing, pro-choice pregnancy options counselling, and general sexual health information and referrals. Services are LGBTQ2S+ friendly and for all ages in most locations.
Cranbrook
HIM PLUS – On the Go
Connect confidentially with a HIM Staff member who will connect you directly to a local Health Outreach Nurse. Health Outreach Nurses provide free HIV and STI testing, treatment, information, and can help link you with services that might be right for you. If you can’t get to their office or if confidentiality in your small community is of concern, Outreach nurses offer services that are 100% mobile
Call us at 236-688-4153 for a confidential conversation to learn more and to connect with a Health Outreach Nurse near you.
Options for Sexual Health
Options clinics provide birth control counselling, low-cost contraceptives, sexually transmitted infection (STI) screening, cervical screening, pregnancy testing, pro-choice pregnancy options counselling, and general sexual health information and referrals. Services are LGBTQ2S+ friendly and for all ages in most locations.
PrEP for HIV
PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis) is an HIV prevention strategy we can use if we are HIV-negative that usually involves taking a pill every day to prevent ourselves from getting HIV.
Tele-Prep
HIM, the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC), and Interior Health are running a pilot program to help individuals in the Interior access PrEP without a local doctor/prescriber.
The physician team at the BCCDC STI/HIV Clinic in Vancouver offer online virtual health visits to eligible individuals. The initial appointment is booked by calling the BCCDC STI Clinic reception. A nurse will then up by phone to review the process and provide any necessary documents prior to the virtual appointment with the physician. The program includes:
- Assessment
- Required and recommended testing
- Treatment for positive STI results
- Delivery of PrEP for client pick-up
To book an appointment call the BCCDC: 604.707.5600 and request a Tele-PrEP appointment.
Online sexual health tools
Taking care of your sexual health is important. HIM’s sexual health tools will help you understand and address your sexual health needs!
Check Yourself Today
Learn about the tools you need to take care of your sexual health and where you can access them across BC.
Tell Your Partners
This tool allows you to anonymously notify your sexual partners that they ought to get tested.
Your Sexual Health Calculator
Use our online calculator to determine how likely you are to transmit HIV & other STIs and to calculate the best prevention strategies for you!
