Approximately 1 in 5 people who are living with HIV in Canada don’t know their HIV status. Most people with HIV do not show symptoms for several years after infection. This means that they may not know that they have been infected. Even if no symptoms are present, the virus can still be passed to other people.

Knowing you are HIV negative is just as important as knowing you are HIV positive. The only way to know for sure is to have a test.

Routine testing for HIV helps you:

  • Access services and care earlier

  • Live longer, healthier lives with early treatment

  • Become actively involved in care

  • Decrease worry about possible infection

  • Prevent the spread of HIV to others

  • Avoid discrimination

HIV Testing & Treatment in Saskatchewan

  • Point of Care Testing
    A point of care test (POCT) is a rapid screening test for HIV using a small amount of blood from a finger poke. POCT are done by trained personnel and can be done in community-based settings and clinical settings, such as outpatient sexual health clinics or mobile health units. Most take a few minutes to yield results.

  • HIV Self-Testing
    HIV self-testing is a rapid screening method that allows individuals to test themselves for HIV using a self-test kit and a small blood sample obtained from a finger prick. Results are available in as little as one minute. HIV self-test kits are a safe, reliable, and convenient option, enabling individuals to test at a time and place that works best for them, including in the privacy of their own home. Each kit contains everything needed to complete the test, along with clear, step-by-step instructions. For more information, visit: Saskatchewan HIV Self-Test Guide

    Currently, the provincial government has made HIV self-test kits available, free of charge, at select public health clinics, pharmacies, and community based organizations across the province. A list of HIV testing locations can be found, here.

    HIV self-test kits can also be purchased directly from the manufacturer (BioLytical Laboratories Inc.) and delivered to an individual’s home, if needed. For more information on purchasing HIV self-test kits, please visit: www.insti.com/hiv-self-test/.

    HIV Self-Testing Patient Resources:

    HIV Self-Testing Clinical Resources:

  • Standard Testing
    Standard testing is a blood test done by a healthcare professional at a clinic. Results usually take up to two weeks. After HIV infection, the body produces antibodies that can typically be detected within 12 weeks. A positive result means that an individual has HIV and can transmit the virus to others. The test cannot determine when the infection occurred or when illness may develop. A negative result means HIV was not detected. However, if the test is done within 12 weeks of exposure, the result may not be accurate because the body may not yet have produced enough antibodies. A healthcare provider will advise if repeat testing is needed. For more information, visit: HIV Testing Options.

    Dried Blood Spot Testing:
    Dried blood spot (DBS) testing is done through a sample of blood droplets collected on filter paper, which is dried and transported to a laboratory where standard HIV testing is performed. It benefits people who might not have access to traditional health services.

    For more information, visit: Dried blood spot testing for HIV diagnosis in Canada – CATIE Video.

    Related Resources:

  • HIV-AIDS Support and Counselling Services
    Sexual health clinics have the expertise, resources, and experience to provide targeted services, counselling, and treatment for sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections (STBBIs), ensuring that individuals receive comprehensive care in a safe, confidential, and supportive environment. Contact your healthcare provider for advice on finding HIV support services or contact HealthLine by calling 811. For information on sexual health clinics, visit: Sexual Health Clinics in Saskatchewan

    Contact your local public health office if none of the sexual health clinics are close to you.

    For more information on community-based HIV/AIDS organizations funded by the Ministry of Health, which offer a wide range of services including support groups and services, emergency financial assistance, HIV education and health promotion programs, harm reduction programs and referrals to other services, visit: HIV-AIDS Support and Counselling Services in Saskatchewan.

Saskatchewan HIV Testing Policy