About Sexually Transmissible Infections (STIs)
Sexually transmissible infections (STIs) are infections which can be passed from one person to another during sexual activities that involve direct skin-to-skin contact and/or the exchange of bodily fluids.
Like other infections, STIs are caused by organisms such as bacteria, viruses or parasites. STIs often have no symptoms, so you may not know if you or a partner has an STI. If left untreated, STIs can cause damage to the body and lead to health problems. It doesn’t matter who you are, anyone can get an STI; it can take just one unprotected hook-up. It’s important to know about STIs, even before you become sexually active, so you can protect yourself and your partner and reduce your chance of getting an STI.
Chlamydia
Chlamydia is the most common STI among young people in Australia.
It is a bacterial infection that can infect the reproductive organs. Less commonly, it can infect the throat and anus.
How is it passed on?
Chlamydia is transmitted through the exchange of bodily fluids.
This can be through:
• unprotected vaginal, anal or oral sex
• sharing sex toys
Symptoms?
Usually there are no symptoms, but if there are they may include:
• unusual discharge (fluid) from the penis, vagina or anus
• pain during sex
• pain when peeing
• bleeding in between periods or after sex
• lower abdominal pain
• testicular pain
How is it tested?
Testing includes:
• urine test (pee in a cup) and/or
• swab sample from the vagina, anus or throat
Chlamydia is known as the ‘silent infection’ as most people have no signs or symptoms.
How is it treated?
• Chlamydia is easily treated with a single dose of antibiotic tablets
• Your sexual partner/s will need to be tested and treated to avoid re-infecting each other
• Avoid having sex for seven days after you have both been treated to prevent passing the infection onto your partner/s or becoming infected again yourself
How can I prevent getting it?
• Use a condom and/or dam during vaginal, anal or oral sex and when sharing sex toys
For more information on chlamydia or other STIs:
Gonorrhoea
Gonorrhoea is a bacterial STI that can infect the reproductive organs. It can also infect the urethra (tube you pee through), mouth, throat and anus.
How is it passed on?
Gonorrhoea is transmitted through the exchange of bodily fluids. This can be by:
• unprotected vaginal, anal or oral sex
• sharing sex toys
Symptoms?
Often there are no obvious symptoms, but symptoms may include:
• pain when peeing or passing a bowel motion
• unusual discharge (fluid) from the vagina, penis or anus
• pain during sex
• sore dry throat
• conjunctivitis (eye inflammation) if infected fluid gets in the eye
• bleeding in between periods or after sex
• lower abdominal pain
• testicular pain
How is it tested?
Testing includes:
• urine test (pee in a cup) and/or
• swab sample from the vagina, penis, anus or throat
How is it treated?
• Gonorrhoea is easily treated with an antibiotic injection and tablets
• Your sexual partner/s will need to be tested and treated to avoid re-infecting each other
• Avoid having sex for seven days after you have both been treated to prevent passing the infection onto partners or becoming infected again yourself
How can I prevent getting it?
Use a condom and/or dam during vaginal, anal or oral sex and when sharing sex toys
For more information on gonorrhoea or other STIs:
Herpes
Genital herpes is a common STI caused by the Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV); Type 1 commonly appears around the mouth (cold sores) and Type 2 commonly appears on the genitals. Either type can occur in either area.
How is it passed on?
Direct skin-to-skin contact – including vaginal, anal or oral sex.
HSV can be passed on even when there are no visible sores / symptoms.
Symptoms
Often there are no symptoms, but may include:
• stinging or tingling in the affected area around the genitals
• painful blisters or itchy sores on the genitals
• pain when peeing
• flu-like symptoms (tiredness, muscular aches, swollen glands)
If symptoms do occur, they usually only last for about a week but they can come back.
How is it tested?
Testing includes:
• physical examination of blisters or sores
• swab sample from a blister or sore
How is it treated?
While there is no cure for genital herpes, there are medications and other ways to help reduce symptoms during recurrences, including:
• antiviral tablets
• mild pain relieving medication
• creams to soothe irritation
• salt water bathing
How can I prevent getting it?
• Avoid vaginal, anal or oral sex if blisters or sores are present – the virus is most infectious at this point
• Use a condom and/or dam during vaginal, anal or oral sex (condoms will reduce risk although they only protect the area being covered)
• If partners are known to have herpes, they can take medications to suppress the virus. This can help reduce transmission
For more information on herpes or other STIs: