Sexually transmitted infections treatment, diagnosis & prescriptions

Maple is a virtual care platform that connects you with doctors and other healthcare providers via text, audio, or video. After you log in to your Maple account, you can request an online consultation.

Consultations work similarly to in-person appointments — the doctor can complete an assessment by asking questions about your symptoms, going through your health history, and determining what treatment is right for you. If they think your condition is more serious, they may tell you to go to a clinic for an in-person examination.

As a Maple member, you get 24/7 access to virtual primary care online and more. You can connect with our network of providers via text, audio, or video call within minutes.

Our membership costs $79.99/month and covers virtual care for patients and their families, including the primary account holder's spouse and any dependents.

For patients in eligible provinces, our membership includes:

• Access to daily primary care provider visits: One daily visit with a primary care provider for each family member in their household.
• Paediatric care: Covered paediatric primary care visits, available by appointment.
• Second medical opinions: access to a network of experts for a second opinion if diagnosed with a complex condition (e.g. cancer).
• Personal Health Check-Ins: A series of personalized, evidence-based proactive care screenings to maintain and improve health.
• iCBT courses: Access to iCBT (internet-based cognitive behavioural therapy) self-assessment and courses.
• Access to specialists in eligible provinces: Easy access to specialists on Maple within days, not months. No referral is needed.
• Specialist referrals in eligible provinces: Ability to be referred to a physician specialist for in-person care, if needed.
• Credit discounts: An $80 credit per month to be applied to a Maple specialist visit.

Please note that our membership cannot be combined with other offerings, such as private insurance coverage and provincial programs, where available. In some cases, membership fees can be covered by a Healthcare Spending Account (HSA) — check with your HSA provider for more details.

We accept all major credit cards, including AMEX cards, as well as Google and Apple Pay.

At Maple, we proudly prioritize privacy as a cornerstone of our virtual care services. We strictly adhere to privacy and healthcare legislation in Canada, such as PIPEDA and PHIPA regulations, to ensure patients' personal and health information remains completely private and safeguarded.

Our policies and consent processes are designed to be simple and easily understood, empowering individuals with control and a clear understanding of their healthcare journey. When using our services, a patient’s session is protected by a comprehensive security infrastructure and stringent data policies.

Patients also retain full control of their personal health information, medical records and test results at all times. Our approach is reinforced by consultations with leading experts, guaranteeing comprehensive policy frameworks that are reviewed at a regular cadence.

All providers delivering healthcare through Maple are licensed in Canada and governed by their licensing regulatory colleges, and in all instances, must act in accordance with the governing principles set out in the telemedicine policies of each medical regulator in the applicable province.

Regulators across Canada support and recognize the value of services like ours, and the way in which they can benefit patients, physicians, and Canada’s broader healthcare system by improving access to care and increasing efficiencies in the delivery of care.

Yes, you can. The healthcare provider will want to talk to you about your sexual history, as well as any symptoms or signs of sexually transmitted infections (STI) that you’re experiencing.

In addition to a physical exam, the healthcare provider may want to run additional testing to confirm the bacteria or virus causing your sexually transmitted infection.

Once the doctor has confirmed the type of STI you’re experiencing, they can provide a sexually transmitted infection diagnosis and treatment options.

A sexually transmitted infection (STI) is the term used to describe viruses or bacteria that are transmitted sexually, enter our bodies, and begin to multiply.

STIs are also sometimes called sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).

There are over 20 known types of STIs, including:

• Syphilis
• Chlamydia
• Human papillomavirus (HPV)
• Genital herpes
• Gonorrhea
• Hepatitis A, B or C
• Trichomoniasis
• HIV/AIDS
• Pubic lice or scabies

Each type of STI is contagious. Some are extremely contagious, and easily pass from one person to another. If you know you’ve got an STI, you should always tell your partner first, and make sure you use protection.

The symptoms and signs of sexually transmitted infections can vary, depending on what type of STI you’re experiencing. Some may not have any symptoms at all.

Some of the most common symptoms caused by sexually transmitted infection include:

• Unusual or odd-smelling vaginal discharge
• Burning or painful urination
• Pain during sex
• Pain in the lower abdominal
• Unusual vaginal bleeding
• Discharge from the penis (other than urine and ejaculate)
• Fever
• Rash over torso, hands, or feet
• Swollen, sore lymph nodes (particularly in the groin, but can be widespread)
• Sores or bumps on the genitals, rectal area, or mouth

Individually, sexually transmitted infections are caused by either viruses or bacteria that lead to these infections. In the case of scabies or public lice, the sexually transmitted infections are caused by mite or lice infestations in the genital area.

You can get an STI by having unprotected vaginal, oral, or anal sex, or by coming in contact with blood or bodily fluids if you are sharing sex toys. The only way to reduce your risk of getting an STI is to use condoms correctly and consistently during all forms of sexual activity.

The first thing your healthcare provider will want to do is discuss your sexual history, as well as any symptoms or signs of sexually transmitted diseases you’re experiencing.

In many cases, the healthcare provider will also want to run additional lab tests to help provide a clear diagnosis for your sexually transmitted infection. This could include:

• Blood tests
• Urine tests
• Fluid samples from genital sores, intravaginal swabs, or penile swabs

Once the healthcare provider can accurately diagnose your sexually transmitted infection, they’ll be able to suggest appropriate treatments for your sexually transmitted infection.

STIs caused by bacteria are normally easier to treat, whereas viral STIs can be managed, but not always cured.

If you receive a diagnosis for sexually transmitted infections, it’s important to let any sexual partners you’ve had in the previous year know that they should also get tested. This way, they can also seek treatment for the sexually transmitted infections, and prevent further spread and potential life threatening complications.

Depending on the type of STI, the healthcare provider may suggest prescription sexually transmitted infection medications. This usually involves either antibiotic medications or antiviral drugs.

If you believe you could be showing signs of a sexually transmitted infection, you should talk to a healthcare provider right away.

All of these STIs are very contagious, and in many cases, you may need treatments to reduce sexually transmitted infection symptoms and prevent potentially life threatening complications. These treatments may require prescription sexually transmitted infection medications.