Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are infections that are transmitted through sexual activity. STIs can be caused by bacteria, a virus, or a parasite. Protecting yourself from the transmission of STIs is an important step towards having safer sex, and your health overall! Primarily, it requires open and honest communication with your partner(s). Second, one of the most effective ways of reducing the transmission of STIs is through the use of barriers such as condoms, dental dams and gloves.
While you should definitely get to know what different STIs can look like and how they spread, it’s important to know first that the most common symptom is no symptom at all. Stigma around sex tells us that you can tell if a person has an STI from the way they look, but that’s simply not true!
For more information, check out:
Protecting Yourself (and Your Partners) From STIs
Prevention
Bacterial STIs
Chlamydia is a very common sexually transmitted infection that is caused by the bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis. Chlamydia can affect your cervix, penis, rectum and throat.
How do you get it?
When someone has chlamydia, it can be found in semen, pre-cum, vaginal fluids and anal fluids. Chlamydia is passed through having unprotected anal, oral and vaginal sex with someone who has the infection. You can get chlamydia from sharing a sex toy or using it with more than one partner without disinfecting after each use.
For more information about symptoms, testing and treatment, check out:
Teen Health Source: Chlamydia
Sex&U: Chlamydia
Smart Sex Resource: Chlamydia
Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted infection that is caused by a bacteria named Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Gonorrhea can affect your cervix, penis, rectum and throat.
How do you get it?
When someone has chlamydia, it can be found in semen, pre-cum, vaginal fluids and anal fluids. Chlamydia is passed through having unprotected anal, oral and vaginal sex with someone who has the infection. You can get chlamydia from sharing a sex toy or using it with more than one partner without disinfecting after each use.
For more information about symptoms, testing and treatment, check out:
Teen Health Source: Gonorrhea
Sex&U: Gonorrhea
Smart Sex Resource: Gonorrhea
Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection that is caused by the bacteria Treponema pallidum. Syphilis can affect your cervix, penis, rectum, throat and skin.
How do you get it?
When someone has syphilis, it can be found in semen, pre-cum, vaginal fluids and anal fluids. Syphilis is passed through having unprotected anal, oral and vaginal sex with someone who has the infection. You can get syphilis from sharing a sex toy or using it with more than one partner without disinfecting after each use. Syphilis is also passed through contact with a syphilis sore.
For more information about symptoms, testing and treatment, check out:
Teen Health Source: Syphilis
Sex&U: Syphilis
Smart Sex Resource: Syphilis
Lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) is a sexually transmitted infection that is caused by the same bacteria that causes chlamydia, Chlamydia trachomatis. LGV can affect your urinary tract, penis and vagina and sometimes your rectum and throat. It can also involve the lymph glands in your genital area.
How do you get it?
When someone has LGV, it can be found in semen, pre-cum, vaginal fluids and anal fluids. LGV is passed through having unprotected anal, oral and vaginal sex with someone who has the infection. You can get LGV from sharing a sex toy or using it with more than one partner without disinfecting after each use.
For more information about symptoms, testing and treatment, check out:
Teen Health Source: LGV
Smart Sex Resource: Lymphogranuloma Venereum (LGV)
Viral STIs
Herpes is a common infection that is caused by the Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV). There are two forms of the virus: HSV1 typically causes herpes on the mouth (known as cold sores) while HSV2 typically causes herpes around the genitals or anus. This is sometimes called genital warts. Herpes infections often don't cause outbreaks so many people have this common infection and don't know it.
How do you get it?
Herpes is spread through skin-to-skin contact between someone who has herpes with someone who doesn’t. Herpes is usually spread when someone has an outbreak but can also be spread without one. Someone who has herpes on the mouth can spread herpes to someone else’s mouth through kissing or sharing objects such as a cup, toothbrush or utensils. They can also spread herpes to another person’s genitals or anus through oral sex. A dental dam or condom can be used to reduce this risk. Someone with herpes on their genitals or anus can spread herpes to someone else’s genitals if they have genital skin-to-skin contact. Someone with herpes on their genitals or anus can also spread herpes to someone else’s mouth if they receive oral sex. Herpes can also be spread through sex toys if they are not disinfected after each use or if a new condom isn’t used each time with each new person.
For more information about symptoms, testing and treatment, check out:
Teen Health Source: Herpes
Sex&U: Herpes
Smart Sex Resource: Genital Warts
Smart Sex Resource: Herpes - A Patient's Guide
Human papilloma virus (HPV) is a group of over 100 strains of virus, with over 40 affecting the genital area. Usually, HPV infections will have no symptoms and will go away without treatment. However, if the virus does not clear on its own, it can cause health issues; there are low-risk types of HPV that can cause genital warts and high-risk types of HPV that can cause cancer of the cervix, penis, vulva, anus or throat.The most serious strains of HPV can be prevented by getting a vaccine.
How do you get it?
HPV is spread through skin-to-skin contact. This can happen during oral, vaginal and anal intercourse or through other sexual contact such as rubbing your genitals together. HPV can be spread from sharing a sex toy or using it with more than one partner without disinfecting after each use.
For more information about symptoms, testing and treatment, check out:
Teen Health Source: HPV
Sex&U: HPV
Smart Sex Resource: HPV
Smart Sex Resource: HPV - A Patient's Guide
Hepatitis B is a sexually transmitted infection caused by a virus that affects your liver. Most people who get Hepatitis B will clear the virus from their system and develop a natural immunity to it. If you do not clear the virus, you will have chronic, life-long Hepatitis B which can be treated with medication and on-going medical checkups. Hepatitis B can be prevented by getting a vaccine.
How do you get it?
When someone has Hepatitis B, it can be found in semen, vaginal fluids, anal fluids and blood. Hepatitis B is passed through having unprotected anal, oral and vaginal sex with someone who has the infection. You can get Hepatitis B from sharing a sex toy or using it with more than one partner. You can get Hepatitis B from sharing needles or from using unsterilized tools during activities that tear through skin such as tattooing or piercing. You can also get Hepatitis B from exposure to infected blood which may be through household items such as toothbrushes or razors.
For more information about symptoms, testing and treatment, check out:
Teen Health Source: Hepatitis B
Sex&U: Hepatitis B
Smart Sex Resource: Hepatitis B
Hepatitis C is an infection caused by a virus that affects your liver. Some people who get Hepatitis C will clear the virus from their system without treatment. The majority (80%) of people who get the virus will have chronic, life-long Hepatitis C which can be treated with medication and on-going medical checkups.
How do you get it?
Hepatitis C is spread through blood-to-blood contact. You can get Hepatitis C from sharing needles or other drug use equipment, or from using unsterilized tools during activities that tear through skin such as tattooing or piercing. You can also get Hepatitis C from exposure to infected blood which may be through household items such as toothbrushes or razors. Hepatitis C can be transmitted through unprotected intercourse but only when blood is involved.
For more information about symptoms, testing and treatment, check out:
Teen Health Source: Hepatitis C
Sex&U: Hepatitis C
Smart Sex Resource: Hepatitis C
Molluscum contagiosum is a virus that can cause bumps on your skin. It is not harmful, and usually goes away after 6 months. However, it is quite easy to spread through skin-to-skin contact.
How do you get it?
Molluscum contagiosum is spread through skin-to-skin contact which can include genital skin-to-skin contact, such as rubbing your genitals together or sexual intercourse. This might also include touching infected genitals and then touching non-infected genitals. You can get molluscum from sharing a sex toy or using it with more than one partner without disinfecting after each use. Molluscum can be spread by touching or scratching the bumps and then touching another part of your body. It can live on towels, clothes and surfaces which can be a source of transmission.
For more information about symptoms, testing and treatment, check out:
Teen Health Source: Molluscum Contagiosum
Smart Sex Resource: Molluscum Contagiosum
Parasitic
Trichomoniasis (trich) is a sexually transmitted infection caused by a parasite. Trich can affect your vagina, cervix, urethra or under the foreskin of an uncircumcised penis.
How do you get it?
When someone has trich, it can be found in semen, pre-cum, vaginal fluids and anal fluids. Trich is passed through having unprotected anal, oral and vaginal sex with someone who has the infection. You can get trich from sharing a sex toy or using it with more than one partner without disinfecting after each use.
For more information about symptoms, testing and treatment, check out:
Teen Health Source: Trichomoniasis
Sex&U: Trichomoniasis
Smart Sex Resource: Trichomoniasis
Pubic lice are very small, crab-like insects that usually live in pubic hair. They can be found in pubic hair near your genitals but also in your armpit hair, facial hair, eyebrows and eyelashes. They lay their eggs at the base of the hair.
How do you get it?
Public lice is spread by close person-to-person contact. They can also live for up to two days in sheets, towels and clothing which can be a source of transmission.
For more information about symptoms, testing and treatment, check out:
Teen Health Source: Pubic Lice
Sex&U: Pubic Lice
Smart Sex Resource: Pubic Lice
Managing STIs
Sexually transmitted infections are very common among people who are sexually active. For this reason, it is important to get tested and know your STI status. Some STIs are totally curable (for example bacterial STIs such as chlamydia or gonorrhea) while others are incurable and will require on-going care and treatment (for example viral STIs such as herpes and HPV). Either way, STIs should not stop you from having a healthy and satisfying love and sex life. Understanding and informing yourself about STIs is the first step to achieving this.
Talking about STIs
Having open and honest conversations with your partner(s) is one of the first steps towards having safer sex! Usually you can’t tell if someone actually has an STI so it is really important to have that conversation with your partner(s) before engaging in sexual activity. Knowing your own health status and your partners’ can help you make important decisions to stay healthy. For more advice on how to talk about STIs and safer sex, check out: Talking About Safer Sex. There still exists a lot of stigma around STIs, especially if you have one that is life-long. If you are worried about telling a partner about your STI status, remember it’s going to be okay and you are not alone. So many people have these kinds of conversations.
If you are having difficulty deciding how to tell them, check out this page to give you some ideas and encouragement: Telling Your Partner You Have an STI
STI Testing
STI testing is when you get checked for any possible STIs. Your health care provider can help you decide how often to get tested. As a general rule, if you are sexually active you should try to get tested every year. You should get tested right away if you have symptoms or have had sex with someone you know or suspect has an STI. Why get tested? Getting tested is a really important way to stay healthy and take care of yourself and your partner(s). It is also a really important way to practice safer sex. Remember, STIs are very common and manageable. Many are completely curable. Knowing about your body and getting tested can give you the tools you need to help you be in control of your health.
For more information, check out:
What to Expect: Getting an STI Test
The Real Facts About STI Testing
Window Period
The window period is the time between your potential exposure to an STI and when you can get an accurate test result. This will also depend on what type of test you get. Window periods are particularly important when it comes to HIV. Most HIV antibodies will present themselves and will be visible in a test after 4-5 weeks. However, some people may take up to 3 months for the antibodies to come up in a test. For this reason, the window period for an HIV test is 3 months. What this means is that if you have received a negative test within 3 months of being exposed, you may have to return for re-testing. This also means that when you do test for HIV, it might not test you for any exposure you might have had during the 3 month window period. However, with this in mind, you should not wait for the window period to pass if you think you have been exposed to HIV. If you do test negative, you can always go back and get tested again once the window period is over.
To find out the window periods of other STIs, check out: Types of STIs
Genital Infections
Infections can occur within your internal and external genitals. Some genital infections are not sexually transmitted. It's possible to have bacterial vaginosis or a yeast infection, for example, even if you've never had sex. If you notice any changes, irritation or pain in your genitals it is important to get checked out by a healthcare professional. Untreated genital infections can lead to more serious conditions like pelvic inflammatory disease and can also make your body more vulnerable to STIs during sexual contact with others.
Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is an infection that happens when there is an imbalance of bacteria in the vagina. Usually it is not harmful, but can cause irritating symptoms.
How do you get it?
There is not a clear reason for why BV happens, but there are a few things that can increase your risk of getting it, such as having sex with a new partner, smoking, douching, or using an IUD.
For more information about symptoms, testing and treatment, check out:
Teen Health Source: Bacterial Vaginosis
Smart Sex Resource: Bacterial Vaginosis
Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is an infection that happens in the reproductive organs of someone with a vagina. It can affect the uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries.
How do you get it?
PID happens when bacteria from your vagina travels through your cervix and enters your reproductive organs. It can be caused by gonorrhea, chlamydia, and other non-sexually transmitted bacteria like bacterial vaginosis.
For more information about symptoms, testing and treatment, check out:
Smart Sex Resource: Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
Health Link BC: Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is an infection that happens in the reproductive organs of someone with a vagina. It can affect the uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries.
How do you get it?
Yeast can overgrow due to douching, taking antibiotics or other medication, hormonal changes, hormonal birth control, your period and/or having a weakened immune system.
For more information about symptoms, testing and treatment, check out:
Teen Health Source: Yeast Infections
Smart Sex Resource: Yeast
A urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection inside your urinary tract, the narrow tube your urine travels through when you pee. UTIs are very common, especially for people with vaginas.
How do you get it?
A UTI happens when bacteria gets inside your urethra (a path that connects your bladder to the outside of your body), and sometimes travels up to your bladder or kidneys. Although a UTI can happen from vaginal sex, a UTI is not a sexually transmitted infection, and can happen from everyday activities like using scented menstrual products, not wiping front-to-back after peeing, etc. UTIs can develop into more serious infections so it's important to see a healthcare professional if it hurts when you pee or you're having pelvic pain.
There are a few strategies to reduce your likelihood of getting a UTI:. For example, something very important you can do is to pee before and after you have sex.
For more information about symptoms, testing and treatment, check out:
Teen Health Source: UTIs
Center for Young Women’s Health: UTIs
HIV/AIDS
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a virus that affects the body’s immune system. It weakens the immune system, making it harder to fight off infections. HIV can lead to AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) if someone who is HIV-positive isn't taking medication and gets sicker. For many people in Canada, HIV will not lead to AIDS because they can usually access health care and medication which helps keep them healthy. However, HIV can lead to AIDS based on different factors, such as access to resources, healthcare and support.
How do you get it?
Anyone can get HIV. It can be found in bodily fluids such as vaginal fluid, anal fluid, blood, semen or breastmilk. HIV can be passed from having unprotected vaginal or anal sex with someone who is HIV positive. You can get HIV from sharing a sex toy with someone who has HIV or using it with more than one partner without disinfecting after each use. You can get HIV from sharing needles or from using unsterilized tools during activities that penetrate the skin such as tattooing or piercing.
For more information, check out:
What are HIV and AIDS?
HIV Basics
HIV/AIDS
The Real Deal On HIV, PrEP, and PEP
Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is a treatment of antiretroviral medication that HIV-negative people can take to reduce their risk of getting HIV. PrEP stops HIV from growing in the body.
Who can take prep?
PrEP is taken as a preventative measure for those who are HIV-negative and at high risk of getting HIV. This might be someone who has an ongoing relationship with an HIV-positive partner, someone who injects drugs, or someone with a penis who has unprotected sex with other people with penises. Any person of any gender can take PrEP; it will take up to 7 days of use before PrEP becomes effective for people with penises, and up to 3 weeks for those with vaginas.
How do I take it?
PrEP is most effective when it is taken every day. If you are on PrEP you should see your doctor every 3 months.
For more information about symptoms, testing and treatment, check out:
Avert: PrEP
The Sex You Want: PrEP
Catie: PrEP
Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is an emergency treatment of antiretroviral medication that HIV-negative people can take to prevent HIV after being in contact with the virus. PEP needs to be taken within 72 hours of contact with the virus, and the sooner you take it, the more effective it is.
When do you take prep?
PEP can be taken if you are HIV-negative and are concerned that you have been exposed to HIV. You might be considering PEP if you had unprotected anal or vaginal sex with someone who has HIV, the condom broke, slipped or leaked, an open wound had direct contact with someone’s bodily fluid that could be infectious, you shared needles or you were sexually assaulted. Your doctor or a healthcare professional can help you assess if PEP is the appropriate option for you.
How do I take it?
PEP must be taken at the same time every day, for 28 days.
For more information about symptoms, testing and treatment, check out:
Avert: Emergency Treatment PEP Fact Sheet
The Sex You Want: PEP
Catie: PEP
Undetectable Viral Load
An undetectable viral load is when the level of virus in a person living with HIV is so low that it cannot be detected by blood tests. This can happen when someone with HIV takes an medication that suppresses, or lowers, the amount of HIV in their body. It can take a while for HIV treatment to lower the virus to undetectable levels, and monitoring this is part of HIV care.
Why is it important to have an undetectable viral load?
Reaching and maintaining an undetectable viral load can help you live a long, healthy life. Reaching an undetectable viral load does not mean that you will always have an undetectable viral load, but it can be maintained through effective antiretroviral treatment and monitoring by a healthcare professional every 2-4 months. Once a viral load is undetectable for at least six months, the person living with HIV does not pass HIV to their sexual partners.
Talk to your healthcare professional about receiving the right treatment for you.
Living with HIV
Discovering you are living with HIV can be really overwhelming and difficult. You might be feeling a whole range of emotions, and whatever you are feeling is valid. Your response might be due to the myths and outdated assumptions about HIV. Nowadays, there are lots of support and treatment options so you can live a healthy and fulfilling life.
Check out this page for tips from 13-29 year olds living with HIV: Living with HIV
To hear stories from people living with HIV, check out: Living with HIV Personal Stories and Experiences
For more information, check out: