Sexual Health and STI Treatment

Health care providers can follow the Canadian Guidelines on STIs from the Public Health Agency of Canada. Also, for HIV, refer to Ontario's Guidelines for Providers Offering HIV Testing.

Order STI medication

Please call us to order medications for chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis, or download the STI medication order form to fax. You can also call us to order immunizations for hepatitis A and hepatitis B as required for patients infected with hepatitis B or hepatitis C and/or their eligible contacts.

Workflow for positive Chlamydia and Gonorrhea cases

When a positive case of chlamydia and/or gonorrhea is reported, follow the guidance below to determine next steps and ensure appropriate reporting.

Client risk assessment

Determine if the client is considered high risk. This includes individuals who meet one or more of the following criteria

• Pregnant
• Under 16 years of age
• Have safety or abuse concerns
• Co-infection with another STI
• More than three STIs in the past five years

For high risk clients

1. Complete the Chlamydia and Gonorrhea Mandatory Reporting Form
2. Indicate the high risk criteria on the form
3. Fax the completed form to Southwestern Public Health at 519-631-1682
4. Public Health will follow up directly with the client

For clients not considered high risk

1. Complete the Chlamydia and Gonorrhea Mandatory Reporting Form
2. Fax the completed form to 519-631-1682
3. Public Health will not follow up with the client unless the health care provider specifically requests it

Additional notes

Health care providers may fax the reporting form before being contacted by Public Health.

Public Health can assist with health teaching and contact tracing, if needed.

Treatment should be provided or prescribed by the health care provider unless alternate arrangements are made with Public Health.

Health care providers are responsible for client follow-up, providing health teaching, and ensuring contact notification and follow-up.

Support your patients with GetaKit

Southwestern Public Health is partnering with GetaKit, a program offering free and discreet at-home STI self-testing for Ontario residents aged 18 and older. This initiative provides a convenient testing option, especially for individuals facing barriers to traditional services.

Kits are mailed for at-home self-testing, or participants can choose to have a lab requisition printed or sent directly to the lab of their choice. Results are available online as soon as two days after the test is submitted.

Learn more or direct your patients to register at getakit.ca.

Patient resources

• Fact sheet: Azithromycin
• Fact sheet: Ceftriaxone
• Fact sheet: Chlamydia
• Fact sheet: Gonorrhea

Sexual Health Team emails

• Email the Sexual Health Team in St. Thomas
• Email the Sexual Health Team in Woodstock