What’s an STBBI?

STBBI is an acronym for “sexually transmitted and blood borne infections.” 

These include all infections that can be contracted through sexual activity (anal, vaginal, or oral sex) and through blood-to-blood contact, such as through non-sterile equipment for tattoos or piercings, or even via sharing certain drug paraphernalia.

Most of the time, STBBIs have no symptoms. But if left untreated for a long time, they can lead to serious health complications—including death. That’s why testing [insert link to testing page] is really the only way to know if you have an STBBI and what your treatment options are. 

Fortunately, there are several ways to prevent the spread of STBBIs.

STBBIs are transmitted through: 

• skin-to-skin contact

• contact between two mucous membranes, such as the mouth and genitals

• blood

STBBI transmission doesn’t happen by default, it’s more of a question of (poor) luck. Contracting one also depends on the type of sexual contact you have. 

For example, some STBBIs are transmitted through skin-to-skin contact, while others can only be spread through penetration.

STBBIs aren’t picky. They love all genitals, no matter their size, shape, colour, scent, or how hairy they are. There’s no magical formula that can completely protect us 100% of the time against these nasty infections. The key is to keep a close eye on your genitals and do your part to prevent the spread of transmission.

Even if you’ve only had one partner—who has also only had you as a partner—monogamy is not ‌an effective method of protection against STBBI transmission. 

You and your partner could still be at risk for several reasons:

• You stopped using protection before both of you got tested.

• One of you has an STBBI but has no symptoms; it’s possible to spread it without knowing it, even after a very long time. 

• There is infidelity

• You’ve been exposed to STBBIs in ways other than through sexual intercourse: 

• tattoos or piercings with non-sterilized needles

• injecting or inhaling drugs

Read our article STBBI Screenings in Monogamous Relationships: Is It Necessary? for more information on the subject. 

It’s your moral and a public health duty

Even though revealing your sexual health status can be a scary thing, it’s important to tell your partner(s) if you’ve tested positive for an STBBI in order to minimize the risk of transmission.

• The person can then get tested to find out if they too need treatment;

• When everyone is informed, it becomes much easier to establish a plan of action—such as abstaining until treatment is complete, or using protection, like condoms, until then;

• Even if it’s hard to talk about, you’ll most likely feel relieved afterwards. 

It’s fair to say that informing your partners of your status is a moral and public health duty. It's why your healthcare provider will likely encourage you to contact your past partners.

If you need tips on how to disclose a positive test result to your partner(s), we encourage you to read our article on the subject Disclosing a Positive STBBI Diagnosis: The Dos and Don’ts. Happy reading! 

Legal responsibility 

The only STBBI that you are legally required to disclose is HIV. Under criminal law, individuals must disclose a positive HIV status prior to engaging in sexual activity when there is a realistic possibility of HIV transmission.

To learn more about the realistic possibility of HIV transmission and the legal implications of non-disclosure, visit the COCQ-SIDA website. 

Your safety comes first

You are not required to disclose a positive STBBI test result if you believe doing so could put you in danger or expose you to the risk of violence. Your safety must come first.

If you anticipate a dangerous situation, you can use anonymous resources to disclose your result, such as the an anonymous partner notification service offered by the Québec HIV/AIDS Portal.