STI Awareness Campaign

What are STIs?

They are transmitted through vaginal, anal, or oral sex but some STIs can also be
passed on just by skin-to-skin contact, or from mother to child during pregnancy,
childbirth and breastfeeding.
Common Types of STIs
1. Gonorrhoea
Gonorrhoea is a STI caused by the Neisseria gonorrhoeae bacteria.
Like most STIs, it can be transmitted by having unprotected vaginal, oral or anal sex with an infected
person. Additionally, an infected mother can pass this infection on to her baby during birth, which can
cause blindness. To identify gonorrhoea, a professional will take a sample of urine and swab areas likely
to be affected to test in a laboratory. The signs and symptoms are males get a yellow discharge from the
penis and a burning sensation when urinating when infected, and most females have no symptoms at all,
but some may notice unusual discharge and pain when urinating. Gonorrhea is most commonly and
effectively treated with antibiotics.

Gonorrhoea is harmful and dangerous when left untreated. It can cause infertility or spread to the blood
and cause disseminated gonococcal infection (DGI), a life threatening condition, or pelvic inflammatory
disease (PID).
Common Types of STIs
2. Chlamydia
Chlamydia is a STI caused by the Chlamydia trachomatis bacteria.
Like most STIs, it can be transmitted by having unprotected vaginal, oral or anal sex with an infected
person, or an infected mother can pass it on to her baby, causing serious eye and lung infections. To
diagnose and identify chlamydia, a professional will take a sample of urine and for females, a swab from
the vagania. The signs and symptoms are that most males and females will notice no signs at all, but both
can experience burning or pain when urinating, unusual discharge, etc. Chlamydia is most commonly and
effectively treated with antibiotics.

Chlamydia can be extremely serious when left untreated. Females can get infected in their cervix, uterus,
and fallopian tubes, called a PID, which can scar or cause infertility. Males can get develop prostatitis,
epididymitis, and also infertility.
Common Types of STIs
3. Genital herpes
Genital herpes is a STI caused by the herpes simplex virus.
It is spread by skin-to-skin contact with someone who already has infected skin on the area infected. To
diagnose and identify it, a professional will take a sample from an infected area with a swab for laboratory
inspection, or take a blood test.. The signs and symptoms are that most males and females will notice no
signs at all at first, but your first herpes "episode" you will get sores and blisters and feel unwell as if you
have the flu. Genital herpes is not curable but is treated with prescribed antiviral drugs.

Genetial herpes is dangerous since it is very painful and may cause genetial ulcers, “that can be severe
and persistent in persons with suppressed immune systems, such as HIV-infected person's.”
Common Types of STIs
4. Genital warts
Genital warts is a STI caused by the human papilloma virus. It is spread from one person to another
during sexual activity. (Since it is very common, most sexually active people have probably been exposed
to the virus, but never gotten the genital warts). To diagnose and identify it, you need to be checked on by
a doctor/health care provider. The signs and symptoms are the small lumps on the genitals which you can
see and feel, but is usually painless. However, they are not always obvious and can take months or even
week for the warts to show. Genital warts can be treated with many different kinds of treatments, including
laser treatment, cryotherapy, podophyllotoxin paint, imiquimod cream, etc.

Genetial warts are dangerous only since they are painful but generally don’t cause any serious health
conditions. However, is some cases, it can cause cellular changes that can lead to cancer of the cervix,
vagina, vulva, anus, penis, and oropharynx.
Common Types of STIs
5. Syphilis
Syphilis is a STI caused by Treponema Pallidum bacteria. It is spread by unprotected vaginal, anal and
oral sex, but can also be spread through skin-to-skin contact with an infected person. To diagnose and
identify it, you can get a syphilis blood test done by your healthcare provider. The signs and symptoms are
an ulcer or soreness in the genital area of mouth usually 3 to 12 weeks after infection. Syphilis can be
cured with antibiotics.

Syphilis is dangerous because if not treated, even though the soreness disappears after a few weeks, the
bacteria starts to get into the bloodstream and spread around the body. After 6 months or more, the
disease can cause a skin rash, hair loss, swollen glands, fever, pain in bones, joints, and muscles, etc. If
you go untreated for over 2 years, the disease can start affecting your brain, heart, blood vessels, spinal
cord, skin, and bones, leading to disability and even death.
Reduce your risks
Prevention of STIs come in many different forms. Some ways teens can start
reducing their risks today include:
● Abstinence
○ The most reliable way to prevent infections of any STIs.
● Protection
○ Using protection such as the condom every time you have sex is highly effective in reducing
STI transmission.
● Reducing Sexual Partners
○ the lower the number of sexual partners, the lower your risk is for transmitting different kinds of
STIs. It is also important to limit sexual partners to those who are tested.
● Vaccinations
○ Vaccines can serve as a safe and effective way to prevent some STIs such as hepatitis B and
HPV.
Works Cited
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Prevention - STD Information from CDC.” Cdc.gov, 2019,

www.cdc.gov/std/prevention/default.htm. Accessed 18 July 2023.

Department of Health. “Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs).” Www.healthywa.wa.gov.au, 5 Nov. 2020,

www.healthywa.wa.gov.au/Articles/A_E/About-sexually-transmitted-infections-STIs. Accessed 18 July 2023.

World Health Organization. “Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs).” Who.int, World Health Organization: WHO, 22 Aug. 2022,

www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/sexually-transmitted-infections-(stis). Accessed 18 July 2023.