Where To Find STI Clinics in Calgary

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The Sheldon M. Chumir Health Centre

STI clinics in Calgary Sheldon M. Chumir Health Centre

There are a few STI clinics in Calgary, but the Sheldon M. Chumir is is the most common place people go, and you can be totally anonymous while doing it. They give you a number and that’s who you are. You’ll be going downtown, to the Sheldon M. Chumir Health Centre. It’s a 24/7 emergency facility for people that have non-life threatening injuries or illnesses, but they also have other services in the building (for example, you can pay ambulance bills here etc). Located within the Sheldon M. Chumir is also the Sexually Transmitted Infection Clinic. Note: the STI clinic is not open 24/7 like the emergency triage is.  

If you’d prefer, there are several other STI clinics you can visit instead, but they may not allow you to be anonymous.

  • Address: 1213 4 St SW, Calgary, AB T2R 0X7 – It’s on the 5th floor
    • If taking Calgary Transit, the #3 bus stops right outside the Sheldon M. Chumir, in both directions the route travels.
  • Phone: (403) 955-6200
  • Hours of operation:
    • Monday 8:45 am – 4:45 pm
    • Tuesday 8:45 am – 4:45 pm
    • Wednesday 8:45 am – 4:45 pm
    • Thursday 10:30 am – 4:45 pm
    • Friday 8:30 am – 4:00 pm
    • Saturday 8:30 am – 4:00 pm

Services offered at the Sheldon M. Chumir STI clinic

  • diagnosis and treatment of sexually transmitted infections
  • hepatitis A and B vaccine program
  • private HIV testing
  • counselling and client education
  • notifying past sexual partners about their risk of infection
  • referrals to other services
  • needle exchange
  • take home Naloxone training and kits

Appointments are not necessary to access the STI clinic, but they do offer them for some services. Speak with their receptionist for details.

Common Sexually Transmitted Infections

Here is some basic information about common sexually transmitted infections. This information is provided by Alberta Health on their website and is only meant as a brief overview and reference. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. See a doctor if you think you might have an infection.

  • Chlamydia
    • In men it can cause burning when you urinate and infection of the long, tightly coiled tube that lies behind each testicle and collects sperm (epididymis). In women it can cause infection of the cervix and a pelvic infection that can be serious.
  • Genital Herpes
    • Genital herpes is an infection that is spread through sexual contact. It may cause skin blisters and sores in the genital area but often causes no visible symptoms. Some people may have only a single outbreak of herpes. Other people will have repeated outbreaks.
  • Genital Warts or Human Papillomavirus
    • Genital warts are skin growths on or around the genitals or anus. They are caused by a virus that’s spread by sexual contact. Genital warts may continue to grow and spread, or they may go away with or without treatment. They often come back after treatment.
  • Gonorrhea
    • Gonorrhea is a bacterial infection spread through sexual contact. It’s found most often in the genital area, but it can also infect other areas of the body, such as the rectum or throat.Most people with gonorrhea have symptoms within a few days after infection. In men it can cause a discharge from the penis. In women it can cause a pelvic infection, which can be severe. Sometimes gonorrhea causes a type of arthritis. Some people have no symptoms.Sometimes gonorrhea is called the clap, drip, or GC. Antibiotics can cure it. Both partners need to be treated to keep from passing the infection back and forth.
  • Hepatitis B.
    • Hepatitis B is a virus that infects the liver. Most adults who get it have it for a short time and then get better. But sometimes the virus causes a long-term infection, called chronic hepatitis B. Over time, this can lead to liver damage or liver cancer.The virus spreads through the blood of an infected person or through sexual contact with an infected person.
  • Syphilis
    • Syphilis is an infection spread through sex. The most common symptom is a painless sore on the genitals, rectal area, or mouth. Later symptoms may include rash, hair loss, and flu-like symptoms.Early symptoms may go away on their own, but the infection is still there and can spread if it isn’t treated. Antibiotics can treat syphilis and help prevent serious health problems, like problems with the heart or brain.
  • Trichomoniasis
    • Trichomoniasis, also known as trich (say “trick”), is an infection caused by a parasite. The infection spreads through sexual contact.Women are more likely to have symptoms than men. The infection can cause a discharge from the vagina that smells bad.The infection is treated with antibiotics. If you are infected, it’s important for your sex partner to take medicine too.
  • View their website to see the rest.

If you would like to speak with a registered nurse to ask medical questions, dial 811 for Alberta Health Link.

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Where To Go When You Get There

Important: Do not urinate 2 hours before your test!

Enter the building from either of the east (4th street / revolving door) or west (parking lot / urgent care / sliding door) entrances. Proceed to the centre of the building, where there’s a large bank of elevators. Take an elevator to the 5th floor, “Communicable Diseases”. When exiting the elevator, head east, in the direction of a half-wall that borders a seating area. Turn right/south before the half-wall, and you should see a small sign for the STI Clinic on the wall in front of you. The STI clinic waiting area is to the left of that sign, and the STI clinic reception desk is kind of hidden when you approach; it’s in the wall to the west of the waiting area.

Arrive Early To Avoid Long Wait Times

The norm with the STI clinic is multi-hour wait times. If you don’t get a good spot in line you’ll be waiting for at least an hour, but probably two or more. Do not show up when they open, arrive at least 1 hour before then to have a good spot in line, and hopefully be seen first once the STI clinic opens. Note that triage is in effect; for example, someone with symptoms would take priority over you if you’re without symptoms.

When You Arrive At The STI Clinic

When you arrive you’ll be expected to fill out a form, attached to a clipboard with a laminated cover page for privacy. The blank clipboards will be to the left side of the reception desk’s counter, and pens are in a basket on the right side of the counter.

If you arrive very early like I suggest, the desk is will be closed (the shutter will be down if it’s closed), the blank clipboards will be to the left side of the reception desk’s counter. Be careful not to grab someone’s already-filled form, sometimes they put them back afterwards. I suggest holding on to your clipboard until you’re called. Make sure to immediately write your name on the list on the clipboard on the extreme right side of the counter, otherwise you’ll be at the back of the line. When the desk opens, you’ll eventually be called by name to hand in your clipboard.

If you arrive after the desk opens (the shutter will be up if it’s open), grab a clipboard and a pen, fill out the form, and return it to the receptionist.

If you want things to go as smoothly as possible during registration, bring your government photo ID and an Alberta healthcare card, and be ready to show them at the desk. Technically all the services of this clinic are available for free without Alberta healthcare number, if you don’t have both a card and photo ID, don’t fill in the card number on the form. If your Alberta healthcare card only has your initials on it, you’ll probably be shunted to the non-heathcare process by the receptionist, as apparently the STI clinic’s lab doesn’t accept that particular generation of healthcare card. You can call in to Alberta health and have a new card issued with your full name, but that takes a few weeks to happen.

There’s a whiteboard to the left of the reception desk, this is what it says:

Welcome to the STI Clinic,
1. Put name or initials on sign-in sheet.
2. Please grab a clipboard and fill forms
3. Wait for reception to call your name
4. If you have provided an Alberta Health card number please have your health care and photo ID ready.

Are you here for results?
- First and last name, DOB, contact info, and check off results.
- Results will be given by a nurse

Some frequently asked questions:
- We are a walk-in clinic
- Please let reception know if you are leaving
- Please be aware that you may not be seen in the order that you arrive
- If you use an alias, please use the same name each time
- If you need to pee let reception know
- Appointments are only provided to those referred to our doctor
- If you are 29 years or younger you can go to Sexual Reproductive Health
- We are a Nurse run clinic

What information do I need to provide?

Here’s what’s on the registration form. You do not have to provide a real name if you don’t want to, nor an Alberta Health Care number.

LAST Name: ______________
FIRST Name: ______________
MIDDLE Name: ______________
Are you using and alias (fake) name? ☐ No ☐ Yes
what name? ________________________
(If using an alias, YOU MUST REMEMBER THIS INFORMATION or you will be unable to obtain results. You will also not be able to obtain a copy of results.)
Have you ever used a different name at this clinic?
☐ No ☐ Yes, what name? ______________________

Alberta Health Care # _ _ _ _ _ - _ _ _ _
*Alberta Health Care is not required to access services*

Date of Birth (DDMMYYYY) ____/____/________

☐  No permanent address
Address: ______________
City: ______________
Postal Code: ______________

What country were you born in? ______________
if not Canada, date of arrival: ______________

Home Phone: (____) ______________
Cell Phone: (____) ______________
Email Address: ______________

Gender: ☐ Male ☐ Female ☐ Trans ☐ Other
☐ Trans male ☐ Trans female

Marital Status: ☐ Single/Dating ☐ Married
☐ Separated ☐ Divorced ☐ Common law ☐ Widow

Ethnic Origin: ☐ Asian East/Southeast
☐ Black ☐ Caucasian ☐ First Nations ☐ Inuit ☐ Latin American
☐ Metis ☐ Middle East/Arab
☐ Other Asian (specify): ______________
☐ Other (specify): ______________

Do you live on a reserve? ☐ No ☐ Yes
Reserve name: ______________

When at work, do you live in a camp?
☐ No ☐ Yes Camp name: ______________

Please check one of the following:
☐ Appointment ☐ Walk-in ☐ Results only

Have you been to an STI CLINIC in ALBERTA before?
☐ No ☐ Not sure ☐ Yes

Why did you come to the STI Clinic today?
Please check all that apply:

☐ I was told by a nurse or doctor to come to this clinic:
    Please explain: ☐ Test of cure ☐ Follow-up ☐ Treatment
                    Other: ________________

☐ A sexual partner told me they have an STI:
    ☐ HIV ☐ Syphilis ☐ Gonorrhea ☐ Chlamydia ☐ Other

☐ I am experiencing symptoms

☐ I am here for treatment only:
    ☐ Syphilis ☐ Gonorrhea ☐ Chlamydia ☐ HPV ☐ Herpes ☐ Other

☐ I was sexually assaulted

☐ I have no symptoms. I just want testing/check-up.

☐ I am here for results only.

☐ I am here for information.

☐ I am here for Vaccination

☐ I was advised by a family doctor or walk-in clinic to come here
    Please explain: ________________________________

☐ Other
    Please specify: ________________________________

Note that if you test positive for any STI, the clinic will hound you to provide the contact information of your recent sexual partners, so they can be contacted. Obviously it’s the most responsible thing to comply with this request. However, it’s not obvious when registering that your personal privacy is superseded by the needs of public health!

What To Expect During The Exam

When called by a nurse, you’ll go into an exam room. You’ll have to answer detailed questions about your medical and sexual history. Blood will be taken, a physical exam will be done of your genitals, then you’ll be given a cup to take to the washroom, that you’ll pee into and return to the nurse.

Getting Your Test Results

STI clinics in Calgary Exam

If you test positive for anything, you will be called within 10 days. No news is good news.

If you want to get a copy of your results after 10 days, you must visit the clinic again, and fill out the registration form, but check the “results only” box. Test results can’t be given out by the reception staff, only a nurse, so you’ll have to wait, as nurses are also the ones taking samples.

Alternative STI Clinic Locations

Don’t forget: you can always speak to your family doctor about STI testing (or a walk-in doctor). Here are some alternatives if you would prefer not to go to the Sheldon M. Chumir Health Centre STI clinic.

For Anyone Aged 29 Or Younger Only

For Cisgender Women

For Gay Men

For MRU and U of C Students

About This Post

This content was not entirely written by me. With permission from the author, I converted this from a post on reddit into this blog post.

The primary purpose of this post is to make this information available on search engines. I didn’t find very much information when I was looking to go there for the first time, and I ended up wasting a lot of hours. This info is current as of December 2017.

/u/yiffatron5000

 

I added a little bit of information for alternative locations and tweaked the formatting, but the message is the same. Thank you to /u/yiffatron5000 for putting this together.

Hopefully this post has been helpful for someone.

I wish you all the best. Cheers!

STI clinics in Calgary

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2 thoughts on “Where To Find STI Clinics in Calgary”

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