Sexually Transmissible Infections known as STIs are common all over the world. You can’t tell by looking at someone if they have an STI and everyone is at risk of catching one if they are sexually active or do not practise safe sex.
Sometimes mistakenly called STDs, Sexually Transmissible Infections may be caused by bacteria, viruses or parasites that are transmitted from one person to another during sex or sexual encounters.
It is not shameful to have an STI, it’s a very common experience — about 1 in 6 Australians will get an STI in their lifetime. STIs are like other infections and viruses and require treatment.
Common STIs include:
- Chlamydia
- Herpes
- Gonorrhoea
- Syphilis
- genital warts (HPV)
- Scabies
- Pubic lice (crabs)
- Hepatitis
- HIV (the virus that causes AIDS)
If you think you may have an STI or you might be at risk of having one — even if you don’t have any symptoms — it’s a good idea to have a chat with your doctor or visit your local sexual health clinic.
Important: not all genital symptoms are caused by an STI. Talk with an expert about your symptoms as soon as possible, so you can get treated.
How do you get an STI?
STIs spread through bodily fluids such as blood, semen, and vaginal fluids. They can spread through all types of unprotected sex; vaginal, anal, oral and oral-anal, this includes fingering. So if you are sexually active, especially if you have multiple partners or if you are engaging in casual sex, it is a good idea to get regular checkups.
How to reduce your chance of getting an STI
When used correctly and every time you have sex, barrier methods of contraception such as condoms, female condoms and dams are excellent for preventing the spread of STIs. If you are using sex toys, use a condom if the toy is being used between multiple people, and always wash the toy with soap and water between sessions. Always wash your hands before and after sex.
Symptoms of STIs
There are many different kinds of STIs and many different symptoms, but sometimes there are no symptoms at all. You’ll find that STIs that do cause symptoms will usually appear on or near the genitals.
These are some of the most common STI symptoms:
• Unusual discharge from the vagina, penis or anus
• Pain during sex or peeing
• Sores, ulcers, blisters, rashes or warts in the genital area
• Itchiness and irritation in the genital area
• Persistent diarrhoea
• Fever or flu symptoms
• Abnormal vaginal bleeding especially after sex
• Pain in scrotum or testes
• Lumps or bumps on genitals
What’s the best way to test for an STI?
The only way to be certain you have an STI is to have a sexual health check-up with a doctor or head to your local sexual health clinic. Both your doctor and Sexual Health Clinics deal with STIs on a daily basis and have chosen to study and work in this area, so don’t be embarrassed to pay them a visit and ask lots of questions!
What happens at the clinic, stays at the clinic, unless someone’s safety is at risk. You can read more about doctor/patient confidentiality here.
Find a clinic near you
Testing is very simple, some only require a urine sample or self-administered swab. Results can be ready in as little as a day but sometimes it can take up to a week.
When to get tested
- After unprotected sexual contact with a new or casual partner
- After unprotected sex, if you know or suspect your partner has had sex with other people
- After any unwanted or non-consensual sexual contact
- After any sexual contact in countries where HIV and STIs are common
- If a partner tells you they may have an STI or have been diagnosed with an STI
If you have any of the symptoms mentioned previously, head to your doctor as soon as you can. Remember: many people who have an STI do not have any symptoms at all. They may not be aware that they have an infection that can be passed on to their sexual partners, which is why it is really important to have regular sexual health check-ups.
If you are sexually active, make sure to get regular checkups, even if you don’t have any symptoms. If you have multiple partners, even if you are using contraception, aim for a check-up every three months.
If you are a gay man or a man that has sex with men it is recommended you get tested for STIs, syphilis and HIV at least once a year. It is a common myth that people engaging in lesbian or other types of queer sex can’t get STIs. This is not true and the recommendations for getting regular checkups are the same as heterosexual people.
STI Treatment Methods
Once diagnosed, most STIs are easily treatable, treatments for the following types of infections include the following:
- Bacterial infections – These include chlamydia, gonorrhoea and syphilis and require antibiotics
- Parasite infections – These include pubic lice and scabies and require treatment with medicated shampoos
- Viruses – These include genital herpes, HIV, hepatitis B and human papilloma virus (HPV) these do not have a cure but in most cases, their symptoms can be managed.
Contacting Sexual Partners
If you are diagnosed with an STI it is really important to let your sexual partners know so that they can have a check-up too, get treatment if they need it and stop spreading it unknowingly.
Your doctor or sexual health clinic can give you advice on how you can go about telling partners. You can also let people know anonymously by using this site which sends an email or text letting them know that they have been in sexual contact with someone with an STI.
For information on specific STIs check out these fact sheets
- Chlamydia
- Genital Warts and HPV
- Gonorrhoea
- Hepatitis A, B and C
- Herpes
- HIV/AIDS
- Molluscum contagiosum
- Mycoplasma genitalium
- Pubic Lice (Crabs) and Scabies
- Syphilis
- Trichomoniasis
Where to get help
This can be a daunting process – especially if it’s your first time. Remember there is support around you. A doctor or Sexual Health Clinic is the best place you go to get treatment, but if you are in need of other types of support you can turn to:
- Kids Helpline is a free, private, and confidential phone and online counselling service specifically for young people in Australia.
- Eheadspace Offers free online and telephone support and counselling to young people 12 – 25 and their families and friends.
- QLife provides anonymous and free LGBTQIA+ peer support and referral for people wanting to talk about a range of issues including sexuality, identity, gender, bodies, feelings, or relationships
