Types of HIV testing and Toronto clinic locations

As many as 25 per cent of people infected with HIV in Toronto don’t even know they have the infectious disease, according to Toronto Public Health.

“We see about 400 newly diagnosed HIV infections every year so that is more than one a day,” Dr. David McKeown, Toronto’s chief medical officer of health, explained.

McKeown said he is hoping to tighten that gap by recommending the expansion of Ontario’s testing strategy which includes diagnosing HIV earlier, especially those who are at an increased risk.

“More people should be tested more frequently and we should be introducing testing on a more routine basis so that people don’t necessarily have to be identified and come forward and say ‘I’m a person at risk of HIV’ in order to get an HIV test,” he said.

In addition to the estimated 15 to 25 per cent of people infected, 30 per cent are diagnosed late into illness.

There were under 30,000 people living with the virus in 2014 as reported in a Toronto Star story.

Ontario’s five options for HIV testing

Anonymous testing program

The name or identity of the person being tested is not recorded, reported or requested and the test is ordered by a code. This way of testing allows the identity of the person to be kept anonymous but information about age, gender and risk factors are requested.

Point of care HIV testing (or rapid testing)

This test is done by pricking a finger to take a blood sample. If the test comes back negative then the results delivered immediately (approximately 20 minutes). If the test is reactive, meaning uncertain, then the sample will be sent for standard testing at a public health laboratory. The results can take as long as two weeks.

Standard HIV testing

A blood sample is taken and sent to the public health laboratory. The results can take up to two weeks.

Testing by healthcare providers

Ontario doctors, nurse practitioners or midwives in Ontario can order an HIV test using your name (called normal testing) or a code (non-normal testing).

Prenatal HIV testing program

HIV testing is offered to all pregnant women in Ontario. This allows for the mother to be diagnosed prior to giving birth and allow for treatment for her and the baby.

Toronto locations that offer specific HIV testing

Anonymous HIV testing:

Birth Control and Sexual Health Centre
960 Lawrence Ave. W. Suite 403
Toronto, ON
M6A 3B5

Hassle Free Clinic
66 Gerrard St. E., 2nd Floor
Toronto, ON
M5B 1G3

Rexdale Community Health Centre
8 Taber Rd.
Toronto, ON
M9W 3A4

Rexdale Youth Resource Centre
1530 Albion Rd.
Toronto, ON
M9V 1B4

Rapid HIV testing:

Crossways Clinic
2340 Dundas St. W.
Toronto, ON
M6P 4A9

The Jane Street Clinic
662 Jane St.
Toronto, ON
M6N 4A7

Scarborough Sexual Health Clinic
Scarborough Civic Centre
160 Borough Dr.
Toronto, ON
M1P 4N8

The Talk Shop
5110 Yonge St.
Toronto, ON
M2N 6M1

Sources: Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care and City of Toronto website

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