Download Common Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)

Common Sexually
Transmitted Infections
(STIs)
All STI’s listed greatly increase your risk of getting or transmitting HIV.
Get tested for HIV if you have any STI.
Infection
First
Usual symptoms
symptoms
Chlamydia
(NGU, NSU)
1–3 weeks
Most women (80%) and
about half of men (50%) will
not have symptoms.
Transmissions Diagnosis Treatment
Complications
Passed through
unprotected oral, anal or
vaginal sex.
Swab, culture or
urine.
Curable with antibiotics.
Women: If untreated, can
lead to Pelvic Inflammatory
Disease (PID)—which can
cause sterility; pain during
intercourse or unusual
bleeding.
Passed through
unprotected oral, anal or
vaginal sex.
Swab, culture or
urine.
Curable with antibiotics.
Women: PID and sterility.
Blood test
Curable with antibiotics
if at an early stage.
When symptoms occur: White,
yellow or clear discharge from
the penis or vagina, discomfort
or burning when urinating.
Gonorrhea
2–7 days
Most women (80%) do
not have symptoms. Most
men (75–80%) will have
symptoms.
When symptoms do occur, they
may include: white or yellow
discharge from your penis,
vagina or anus, pain or burning
while urinating. Infections
in throat usually do not have
symptoms.
Syphilis
First stage
(primary)
3 weeks (10–90
days)
Second stage
(secondary)
3 months to 2
years
Herpes
(Herpes Simplex)
Genital warts
Caused by HPV (Human Papilloma
Virus)
4 days to 3
weeks
Can return
throughout life
From as soon as
3 weeks up to
years
First stage—Painless blister
or sore (chancre) on penis, anus,
vagina, or mouth.
Can also be passed to
an infant at birth if
mother is infected.
Direct contact with
infectious sores, rashes,
mucous patch or blood.
Late stage complications
cannot be reversed.
Second stage—patchy rash
on hands/feet, hair loss, sore
throat, fever, headaches.
Many will not have
symptoms.
When symptoms do occur,
they may include: clusters of
blisters/ pimples on genital
area, swelling and itching, pain
while urinating, swollen glands,
and fever.
An HPV infection, alone, has no
symptoms. But when HPV leads
to genital warts, these look like
flat or rough, raised bumps on
genitals, anus, vagina, throat,
or cervix. They may be itchy or
irritated and may be in clusters.
Men: Urethral narrowing,
erection
problems, and sterility.
Babies: Serious eye infection,
arthritis,
pneumonia.
Usually through direct
contact with blisters
or open sores, but can
also be spread when no
sores are
present.
Culture taken
when sores are
present.
Can also be passed to
an infant at birth if
mother is infected.
This infection that
causes genital warts,
HPV, can be passed
through skin to skin
contact involving the
penis, scrotum, vagina,
vulva, or anus as well as
the oral cavity.
No cure.
Anti-viral medications
may reduce pain and
duration of sores.
Medications may also
be taken to prevent
outbreaks.
Women and Men: Brain
damage, paralysis, heart
disease, death.
Babies: Eye damage, dental
and bone
deformities, blindness, brain
damage or death.
Women and Men: Blisters
often come back and are
triggered by stress, sunlight,
other illnesses, and drug/
alcohol use. Infection may
increase risk for getting other
STIs.
Babies: The virus can cause
life-threatening infections
Visual exam.
Genital warts are
treated with a medical
solution applied to warts
or through medication.
Multiple treatments are
often necessary and
recurrence is common.
Women and Men: The
immune system will eventually
get rid of genital warts. Other
types of HPV (not associated
with genital warts) are linked
to cervical, anal, vaginal,
vulvar, penile, oral, and
laryngeal cancers.
next page
Infection
First
Usual symptoms
symptoms
Transmissions Diagnosis Treatment
Complications
Hepatitis B
6 weeks to 6
months
Many will not have
symptoms.
When they occur, symptoms
may include: Yellowing of
the skin/eyes, fever, swollen
glands, fatigue, weakness, grey
stool, dark urine, tenderness in
liver area.
Contact with blood
or body fluids (sexual
intercourse), sharing
needles, razors,
toothbrushes, etc. of
an infected person. A
pregnant woman can
pass the virus to her
child. Prevent Hepatitis
B by getting vaccinated.
Blood test.
No cure. Get lots of rest,
eat healthy food, and
avoid alcohol.
Women and Men: Most
recover in 4–6 months with
immunity for life. 1–2%
die quickly from fatal liver
damage. 10% become carriers;
infectious for life. Long term
liver damage may include
scarring, cirrhosis and cancer.
HIV (Human
Immunodeficiency
Virus)
From less than
1 year to 8–11
years
Many will not have
symptoms. When they occur,
symptoms can include brief flu/
viral-like symptoms, fatigue,
swollen glands, night sweats,
fever, weight loss, persistent
cough, diarrhea.
Sexual contact with
infected blood, semen,
vaginal secretions;
sharing needles.
Blood test.
Note: HIV may
not show up on a
test for 14 weeks
or longer after
exposure to HIV.
No cure. Healthy
lifestyle of rest, nutrition
and support. Early
treatment with antiviral
drugs or combinations to
stabilize condition.
Women and Men: AIDS
is a life-threatening illness
that leads to brain infections,
memory loss, wasting, cancers
and rare pneumonia.
Mother to infant during
pregnancy, delivery or
breastfeeding.
Pregnant woman: diagnosed
with HIV, treatment will
be started at 4 months.
Newborns will be treated at
birth and will be followed
closely.
STIs can happen to anyone!
Guidelines for STI treatment
The STD clinic at Public Health offers free, confidential
testing for STIs, treatment of STIs, counselling and
HIV testing.
• If you think you have an STI or if you think your partner
does, see a doctor or go to the clinic right away
• Follow the doctor’s instructions carefully. If a medication
is ordered, take ALL of it at the times prescribed
• If you can not afford a medication, most can be received
free by calling the STD clinic
• Don’t have sexual intercourse until seven days after you
and your partner have finished the medication
• Inform your sexual partner(s) if you have an STI so they
can be treated. Nurses at Region of Waterloo Public
Health’s STD Clinic can do this for you, anonymously.
For clinic times call 519-883-2267
No health card is required to receive services.
If you choose to have sex, make it safer:
• When starting a new relationship, get tested with your
partner for STIs and HIV
• Get tested if either you or your partner has sex with
someone else
• Use latex condoms or dental dams for all sexual activity
• Avoid mixing alcohol or drugs with sexual activities.
Drinking and sex are as dangerous as drinking and driving
• If you have had sex without a condom, get checked at the
STD clinic or your doctor’s office
• DO NOT share needles
Questions?
Call the Region of Waterloo Public Health Sexual Health
Program or your doctor.
Scan this code with
your smartphone for
more information
about sexual health
clinics and services.
January 2013
Region of Waterloo Public Health
Sexual Health/Harm Reduction Program
519-883-2267
www.regionofwaterloo.ca/ph
n
519-883-2000
n
TTY 519-575-4608
n
Fax 519-883-2241