All testing devices used by Switch Health are authorized by Health Canada and are validated at accredited and licensed Canadian laboratories.

While Health Canada estimates approximately 70% of sexually active men and women will have a sexually transmitted HPV infection at some point in their lives, at this time the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) does not currently cover HPV testing.

Switch Health’s HPV Collection Kit is only applicable for individuals with a cervix. If you have concerns about your health, please contact a health care providers. See here for more information on the cervix.

Currently, the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) does not cover HPV testing. Individuals should inquire with their healthcare insurer to learn what coverage is available to them.

Individuals should inquire with their healthcare insurer to learn what coverage is available to them.

Test results and related information are only shared with the patient. There is no requirement to report a positive test result to Public Health, nor is there any requirement to share the result with partners. It is the patient’s decision whether test results are shared with anyone else.

All results are digitally available to be downloaded in PDF format and/or printed via the Switch Health patient portal. It is the patient’s decision whether test results are shared with anyone else.

Individuals who take a Switch Health HPV Collection Kit must meet criteria as outlined in the HPV Product page found here.

You can get a delivered anywhere Purolator and Canada Post provides service.

Standard shipping is 3-9 days, expedited 1-2 days(once shipped) shipping is available for an additional $25.

Results should be ready within 4-5 business days of being picked up by Purolator.

If you are using pick up, store the specimen at room-temperature and place the return package in the location identified just prior to the pickup window. If you are using drop-off, hold onto the package until Sunday evening or Monday morning to keep safe until pickup service is resumed.

HPV is a very common virus with more than 100 strains or types. It spreads easily through sexual contact. It is estimated that 75 per cent of people will come into contact with HPV during their life. The virus usually goes away on its own without causing any problems, typically without symptoms. Sometimes symptoms may appear such as warts in the genital area that look like common skin warts. 

Reference: Government of Canada. Human HPV Prevention and HPV vaccines (2017). Retrieved from https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/infectious-diseases/sexual-health-sexually-transmitted-infections/hpv-prevention-vaccines-questions-answers.html 

Fourteen HPV genotypes are considered pathogenic or high-risk for the progression of cervical Disease. Multiple studies have linked genotypes 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59, 66, and 68 to disease progression.   Women with a persistent infection with one of these types have an increased risk for developing severe cervical dysplasia or cervical carcinoma. 

Results will indicate individual positive or negative results for 6 genotypes including 16, 18, 31, 45, 51 and 52. The remaining 8 genotypes are reported on in the following groups: P1 including genotype 33 & 58, P2 including genotypes 56, 59 & 66 and P3 including genotypes 35, 39 and 68. No matter your result, it is strongly recommended you discuss your personal risk with a healthcare practitioner.

Testing for HPV is recommended for sexually active individuals over 25 years of age with a cervix.

The HPV test can detect the risk of cervical cancer, one of the few types of cancer that can be prevented. Almost all cervical cancers, more than 99%, are associated with HPV. HPV infection doesn't mean you have cancer, but it can suggest an increased risk of it developing. Screening for HPV infection can help your healthcare provider provide the care and follow up you need.

HPV tests looks for viruses that increase the risk of developing cancer. Pap tests looks for abnormal cell changes, typically caused by HPV, on the cervix that might turn into cervical cancer. 

A Pap test is looking for abnormal cervical cells from the sample and will not detect HPV.

HPV vaccines protect individuals from high-risk HPVs, but immunity is not 100% and may wane over time. It’s still worth routinely testing for HPVs.  

Reference: HPV Prevention and HPV Vaccines. Government of Canada. (2017). Retrieved from https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/infectious-diseases/sexual-health-sexually-transmitted-infections/hpv-prevention-vaccines-questions-answers.html

There are many variations of HPV, but only a few can cause cancer. The body usually can protect itself against HPV infections by successfully clearing the infection resulting in no potential cell changes. However, HPV that does not clear can cause the cells in the cervix to become abnormal and potentially pre-cancerous.  

If you are Transgender, it is best to talk to your healthcare provider to determine your specific screening needs. 

Reference: As a transwoman, do I need to get screening for cervical cancer (2022). Canadian Cancer Society. https://cancer.ca/en/cancer-information/find-cancer-early/screening-in-lgbtq-communities/as-a-trans-woman-do-i-need-to-get-screened-for-cervical-cancer

If you have had a hysterectomy or pelvic surgery, it is best to speak to your healthcare provider to determine your specific screening needs. 

Reference: Choosing Wisely (2019). Retrieved from https://www.choosingwisely.org/clinician-lists/asccp-paps-and-hpv-screening-after-hysterectomy/ 

Talk to your healthcare provider to determine if repeating the HPV test is right for you.

Switch Health’s proprietary patient portal provides a quick and accessible option for patients to review and receive results directly from the lab. Switch Health sends an SMS text message and/or email to the patient when results are ready to review.

Log in or create a Switch Health account by going to https://portal.switchhealth.ca

For optimal use when connected with a nurse, we recommend using the following browser:

• If on a desktop computer, please use Google Chrome browser.
• If on an Android phone, please use Google Chrome browser.
• If on an Apple iPhone, please use Safari.

If you are having trouble with the Switch Health Portal, please refresh your browser.

Go to portal.switchhealth.ca to create an account.

Go to portal.switchhealth.ca to login or create an account.

Please contact us at contact@switchhealth.ca or call us at 1 (888) 966-6531.

Once your test results are available, you will receive a notification via email or SMS text message. To view your results, you must log in to your Switch Health account.

Once results are available on the Switch Health Patient Portal, you are able to download, save, and print your test results.

1. Go to https://portal.switchhealth.ca
2. Click “Login”, then select “Forgot your password”.
3. Enter the email you used to create your Switch Health account.
4. An email will be sent with further instructions.
5. Click the link in the email.
6. Assign a new password and answer the secret question.
7. A confirmation of the successful password change with be sent to your email.
8. Login with your new password.

Please note, after 5 unsuccessful login attempts, our security feature locks additional attempts for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes you will be able to try again.

To change your e-mail on your Switch Health account, please email us at contact@switchhealth.ca

1. Login to your Switch Health account at https://portal.switchhealth.ca
2. In the top right corner, click on the person icon 👤
3. Under “Personal Info”, click “Edit”
4. Change your phone number and click “Save”

To delete your account, please call us at 1 888-966-6531.

Please note, if you delete your account you will no longer be able to access any historic results or future results. We will not be able to retrieve your account information.

Switch Health stores your historic test results for up to 7 years. You can delete your account at any point.

All Switch Health employees are based in Canada. We offer great support to our diverse Canadian population in over 25 different languages.

Yes. Patient privacy is of the utmost importance to Switch Health. We are pleased to provide accessible, fast and private test results through our PHIPA compliant portal. All patient information and test results are strictly confidential. In the case of a positive test result, Public Health will be notified for contact tracing and reporting purposes.

Please follow this link for our privacy policy.

Refund policy for kits We do not offer refunds on Test and Collection Kits once shipped. Please contact our customer experience team in the event of a device malfunction or delayed/missing shipments at 1-888-966-6531.

Once your test kit has been paid for in full, you will receive a receipt on your registered email. If you do not receive a receipt, please email us at contact@switchhealth.ca.

We accept all major credit cards.

All testing devices used by Switch Health are authorized by Health Canada and are validated at accredited and licensed Canadian laboratories.

While most provincial health insurance plans cover the cost of laboratory processing fees for covered medical conditions and illnesses (which is the case for the Switch Health STI Test Collection Kit), some fees like shipping, third-party and program administration are not. Please inquire with your healthcare insurer to learn what coverage is available to you under your personal health insurance plan or healthcare spending accounts.

The results for the STI Test Collection Kit will indicate whether you are positive or negative for common STIs. The Switch Health Test Collection Kit tests for three sexually transmitted infections: Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, and Trichomoniasis.

Switch Health’s STI Test Collection Kit is a urine-based laboratory test and available to all genders.

All results are digitally available to be downloaded in PDF format and/or printed via the Switch Health patient portal. It is the patient’s decision whether test results are shared with anyone else.

At Switch Health, we want to support our customers with their health. Depending on your location, if you get a positive result but do not have a family doctor, Switch Health may support you by providing direction on finding online resources to access and may physician care or may facilitate access to care through our network of healthcare partners.