Download How do you get it?

Adapted From: Sexually Transmitted Infections Pamphlet.
Public Health Agency of Canada, 2007
What are
STI’s?
0 Sexually Transmitted Infections
0 An infection passed from one person to another
person through sexual contact.
0 An infection is when a bacteria, virus, or parasite
enters and grows in or on your body.
0 Some can be cured, and some can not.
In Canada and around the world, the trend is
clear: sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are
on the rise.
In Canada, some of the highest rates and increase
in STIs are in young people ages 15 to 24.
One of the primary defenses in the fight against
STIs is awareness. With the right information,
individuals can make informed choices and better
protect themselves and their partners.
Different types of sexual activities that can
transfer infections include:
• Oral sex
• Vaginal sex
• Anal sex
• Skin-to-skin contact for some infections
Infections can be transferred through the
exchange of bodily fluids like:
• Blood
• Semen
• Vaginal secretions
• Saliva
• Breast milk
Types of Sexually Transmitted Infections
Bacterial
• Chlamydia
• Gonorrhea
• Syphilis
Viral
• HPV (Genital
Warts)
• HIV
• Herpes
• Hepatitis B
Parasitic
• Pubic Lice
(“crabs”)
• Trichomoniasis
What is it?
A sexually transmitted infection caused by the bacteria
Chlamydia trachomatis.
How do you get it?
You can get it through unprotected oral, vaginal, or anal
sex.
How do you know you have it?
70% of women and 10% of men have no symptoms.
You may notice:
0 more vaginal discharge or itchiness
0 bleeding between periods or during sex
0 lower abdominal pain
0 pain during intercourse or while urinating
You may notice:
o discharge from the penis
o burning during urination
o itching around the opening of
the penis
o pain in the testicles
Testing
You can be tested through a simple urine test or a swab taken
during a Pap test (females only).
Treatment
Chlamydia is cured by one dose of antibiotics, but takes
about 7 days to clear the infection. It is important not to have
sex while the cure is working because you may infect your
partner or become re-infected yourself. Your partner(s) will
need to be tested and treated for chlamydia also.
What is it?
A sexually transmitted infection caused by the bacteria
Neisseria gonorrhoeae.
How do you get it?
You can get it through unprotected oral, vaginal or anal
sex. It can infect the penis, rectum, throat, eyes, and
cervix.
How do you know you have it?
You may have this infection and not even know it.
You may notice:
0 an increase in vaginal discharge
0 bleeding between periods
0 bleeding or pain during sex
0 pain in the abdomen or pain
while urinating
You may notice:
o burning while urinating
o thick greenish-yellow
discharge from the penis
o pain in the testicles
Testing
You can be tested through a simple urine test or a swab taken
during a Pap test (females only).
Treatment
It is cured by one dose of antibiotics, but takes about 7 days
to clear the infection. It is important not to have sex while
the cure is working because you may infect your partner or
become re-infected yourself. Your partner(s) will need to be
tested and treated for chlamydia also.
What is it?
A sexually transmitted viral infection caused by the
Human Papillomavirus.
It may cause genital warts or lead to cervical cancer.
How do you get it?
You can get it through unprotected oral, vaginal, or anal
sex or from sexual activities with skin-to-skin contact.
How do you know you have it?
You can pass on this virus without even knowing that you have it.
If infected, it may cause warts on the genitals or rectum that look
like flesh coloured cauliflower.
It may also cause itchiness, discomfort and/or bleeding during
sex.
Testing
A doctor or nurse can diagnose warts by looking at them. The
virus may cause changes to the cervix and be checked during a
Pap test (females).
Treatment
Includes: burning, freezing or surgically removing the warts.
A special doctor (gynecologist) may follow-up with you if there
are changes to your cervix (females).
What is it?
A viral infection that damages the liver. It can be
transmitted through the exchange of bodily fluids
(semen, vaginal fluid, blood).
How do you get it?
You can get it through unprotected oral, vaginal, or anal
sex or through exposure to blood or blood products.
How do you know you have it?
0 Hepatitis B infection may cause you to feel tired or have pain
in your abdomen.
0 You may have nausea and vomiting and/or fever and chills.
0 You may also notice that your skin or the whites of your eyes
look yellowish.
0 Your urine and stool may look a strange colour.
0 You may also have no symptoms at all.
Testing
You can be tested through a special blood test.
Treatment
Most people with this virus can fight it off with rest and
healthy lifestyle changes within 6 months. While you
are actively infected, you can pass it on to others. After
your body has fought off the infection, you are protected
from ever getting the virus again and from passing it on
to others.
What is it?
This viral infection is caused by the herpes simplex virus
(types 1 and 2).
How do you get it?
You can get it through direct oral, vaginal, or anal sex or from
skin-to-skin contact.
If infected you can get sores that return weeks, months, or
years later.
You may get this virus in your eyes, mouth or genitals.
How do you know you have it?
0 Not all people infected with herpes will develop symptoms.
0 If symptoms do develop, they will begin with a tingling or
burning sensation on the skin, turning into blisters and sores.
0 During the outbreak, you may also feel like you have the flu
with fever, muscular pain and tender lymph nodes.
Testing
A doctor or nurse can check the sores and take swabs of
the fluid in the sores to diagnose the infection.
Treatment
A herpes infection cannot be cured but it can be
managed. Medications (antivirals) can help prevent
outbreaks of blisters and sores or reduce the length of
time that you have them.
What is it?
HIV is the virus that causes AIDS and attacks your immune
system, leaving it vulnerable to other infections.
How do you get it?
You can get the virus through an exchange of blood, vaginal
fluid, semen and breast milk.
It cannot be passed on through touching, hugging, kissing or
other casual contact.
How do you know you have it?
0 You may have this virus without having any symptoms for years.
0 You may develop mild flu-like symptoms 2-4 weeks after being
infected.
Once the immune system is weakened, you may develop:
o fatigue headaches
o frequent fever or sweats
o rapid unexplained weight loss
o skin rashes
o nausea/vomiting
o swollen glands
o diarrhea
o sore throat
Testing
You can be tested through a special blood test. However, it
takes 3 months for the infection to be detectable.
Treatment
HIV cannot be cured and may lead to AIDS.
Treatment for the infection is different for everyone, but
includes medications called antiretrovirals and medications
to prevent other infections from harming the person.
What is it?
A sexually transmitted infection caused by the bacteria
Treponema palladium.
How do you get it?
You can get it through unprotected oral, vaginal or anal
sex.
How do you know you have it?
0 The first symptom of syphilis is a chancre (painless sore) at the
point of infection.
0 Stage two is usually a rash on the body, especially on the hands and
feet.
0 Stage three may last 20-30 years and can cause damage of the heart,
brain, and other organs, it may also eventually cause death.
Testing
You can be tested through a special blood test.
Treatment
Syphilis is treated with antibiotics, usually penicillin.
Once you have been treated, you need to get a blood
test to make sure you have been cured. Your sexual
partner(s) will also need to be tested and treated.
Answer
1. HPV – Human Papillomavirus
2. Hepatitis B
It is critical to tell your partner(s) to prevent the spread of
STIs and to prevent complications. While it may be difficult
to talk about sexual health problems, it is important for
anyone who thinks they have an STI or tests positive for
one to tell his/her current and past partner(s).
A public health professional will contact your partners
confidentially.
Condoms are important to reduce the risks of transmitting
STIs, even if other methods of birth control are being used
to prevent pregnancy. Condoms should be used every time
you choose to have intercourse.
If an infection is detected, it is recommended that the
infected individual and their partner(s) abstain from
sexual activity until treatment is complete, symptoms have
subsided, and the infection is cured (when applicable).
When you have sex with someone,
you are having sex with everyone
they have had sex with; and
everyone they have had sex with;
and so on, and so on, and so on…