Sexual Health

HPEPH’s Sexual Health Program works to reduce the burden of sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections and improve access to non-judgmental sexual health care within Hastings and Prince Edward Counties (HPEC). For information on the local rates of sexually transmitted and blood borne infections check out the Diseases of Public Health Significance (DOPHS) Dashboard.

Case Management of Sexually Transmitted Infections

• Positive lab results for reportable sexually transmitted and bloodborne infections are received by HPEPH for patients within HPEC.
• First line treatment should be prescribed for all sexually transmitted and bloodborne infections.
  • Syphilis Management Guide (printable pdf)
• Publicly Funded Treatment for most reportable STIs is available from HPEPH and can be ordered using the form below.
  • Vaccine / STI Treatment Order Form (printable)
• Physicians and other practitioners are required to report suspect and confirmed cases of reportable sexually transmitted and bloodborne infections to their local public health unit.
  • Chlamydia and Gonorrhea Surveillance Form (printable pdf)
  • Syphilis Surveillance Form (printable pdf)

HIV, PrEP and PEP

Health care providers play an important role in helping people at risk of HIV and living with HIV improve their health outcomes.

• PrEP: Pre-exposure prophylaxis, or PrEP, is a highly effective HIV prevention strategy that HIV-negative people can use to lower their chance of getting HIV.
• PEP: Post-exposure prophylaxis, or PEP, is a way to help prevent the transmission of HIV in an HIV-negative person who may have been recently exposed to the virus.
• U=U is shorthand for Undetectable equals Untransmittable. The clarity of this message makes it easier for service providers to promote the undeniable benefits of treatment.

Resources for Health Care Providers

• Preventing HIV transmission: Undetectable = Untransmittable (U=U): Communication tips for health professionals
• U=U Guide for Service Providers
• Catie PrEP fact sheet
• Syphilis Poster – General
• HPEPH “Condom Sense” Promotional Poster

Other Related Links

• Public Health Ontario -Ontario Gonorrhea Testing and Treatment Guide, Second Edition, November 2018
• Public Health Ontario – Bacterial STI Testing: Quick Reference
• Public Health Agency of Canada – Gonorrhea guide: Key information and resources
• Canadian STI Guidelines
• Canadian STI Guidelines – Syphilis Management
• https://www.sexandu.ca/
• https://www.catie.ca/catieca