If you have experienced an exposure to another person’s blood or body fluids, it is important that you be assessed by a health care provider to determine your risk to infection and to get appropriate and timely treatment to prevent transmission of disease.
Staff at the Simcoe Muskoka District health Unit can provide information and support related to an accidental exposure to another person’s blood or body fluids.
Call the health unit at 705-721-7520 or 877-721-7520 Monday to Friday 8:30 - 4:30 and ask to speak with a nurse in the sexual health program. For after-hours help about an exposure, call 1-888-225-7851.
As a result of new legislation, what has been known as “compulsory testing” is now called Mandatory Blood Testing.
Section 22.1 of the Health Protection and Promotion Act (HPPA) has been repealed. There is a new mandatory blood sampling process in place under the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services (MCSCS) legislation: the Mandatory Blood Testing Act, 2006 (MBTA). The MBTA came into effect on August 10, 2007.
This legislation allows certain persons who have been exposed to the blood or body fluids of another person under certain conditions, to apply to have the other person’s blood tested for HIV and hepatitis B and C. The new legislation is similar to the legislation in place before August 10, 2007, however some parts of the process have changed.
Information about the changes, how to make an application, who can apply and about the processes involved is available at the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services website: Mandatory Blood Testing Information.
Links to the forms needed for the application:
Health Unit staff are available to answer questions and provide support. Please email Your Health Connection or call 705-721-7520 (1-877-721-7520) and ask for Sexual Health at extension 8376.
