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
• rectal pain, discharge or bleeding
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 / burning feeling when peeing
• unusual discharge (fluid) from the vagina, penis or anus
• pain during sex
• conjunctivitis (eye inflammation)
• bleeding in between periods or after sex
• lower abdominal pain or testicular pain
• rectal pain, discharge or bleeding
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
• A follow-up test in 2 weeks’ time is recommended to make sure you haven’t got the infection again
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.
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:
Syphilis
Syphilis is a bacterial infection that infects the penis, vagina, throat and anus. It travels in the blood stream and can cause serious health problems throughout the body if not treated.
How is it passed on?
• Unprotected vaginal, anal or oral sex
• Direct skin-to-skin contact, especially when sores or rashes are present
• Sharing sex toys
• Pregnancy/childbirth – infected mother to baby
Symptoms
Often only mild or no symptoms, but may include:
• a painless sore in or around the mouth and/or penis, vagina, or anus
• in later stages, a rash can develop on the upper body, palms of the hand or soles of the feet. If syphilis is untreated, it can progress to disease of the nervous system, heart or blood vessels.
• syphilis in pregnancy can lead to a severe infection in the baby called congenital syphilis.
How is it tested?
• Blood test
How is it treated?
• Antibiotic injections – the sooner you get treated, the less treatment needed.
• Avoid having sex until your doctor says your treatment has been successful.
• Your sexual partner/s will need to be tested and treated to avoid re-infecting each other.
• Follow-up blood tests to ensure the infection is gone.
How can I prevent getting it?
• Use a condom and/or dam during vaginal, anal or oral sex and when sharing sex toys.
• Use a latex glove during manual sex.
• Avoid contact with any sores and rashes.
• No sexual contact with anyone diagnosed with syphilis (not even using a condom) until after their treatment has finished.
HIV
HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is a virus that damages the body’s immune system making it hard to fight off infections in the body. If untreated, HIV can develop into AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome).
How is it passed on?
• Unprotected anal or vaginal sex
• Sharing sex toys
• Sharing needles/drug injecting equipment
• Non-sterile (unclean) tattooing and body piercing equipment
• HIV infected mother to baby during pregnancy, childbirth or breastfeeding
Symptoms
Many people with HIV don’t show symptoms for many years. The only way to tell if you have HIV is to get tested.
Some symptoms after the first few weeks of infection may include:
• flu-like symptoms (tiredness, muscle aches, fever)
• night sweats
• rash
• swollen glands
How is it tested?
• Blood test
How is it treated?
• If found early, antiretroviral treatment can slow the infection and delay or prevent the development of AIDS.
• Antiretroviral treatment improves health and wellbeing and can also prevent transferring HIV to others.
• Your sexual partner/s will need to be tested and advised of treatment or prevention options.
How can I prevent getting it?
• Use a condom during vaginal or anal sex and when sharing sex toys.
• Never share needles or other injecting equipment.
• Only have tattooing and piercing done by licensed, trained professionals.